OutReserve

Dam East - Mcnair Campground

McNair Group Area shelter
Kaskaskia River Trail
McNair-East Spillway Loop campsites
McNair Campground Map
East Spillway Loop Map

Featured amenities

Showers
Showers

About Dam East - Mcnair Campground

Dam East-McNair Campground is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.

Number of accommodations: 46

Campground Amenities

  • Beach Access
    Beach Access
  • Potable Water
    Potable Water
  • Showers
    Showers
  • Dump Station
    Dump Station

Sites & Availability

46 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 12, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 13, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 14, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 15, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 16, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 18, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 19, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 2, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 20, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 21, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 22, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 23, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 26, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 29, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 3, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 30, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
33, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
34, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
35, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
36, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
37, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
38, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
39, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 4, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
40, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
41, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
42, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
43, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
44, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
45, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
46, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
47, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 5, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 6, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 7, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 8, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 9, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
$20.00
/ per night

Reviews (306)

What Guests Are Saying

Dam East - McNair Campground is praised for its beautiful location, clean and spacious sites, and friendly camp hosts. Many visitors enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, and convenient amenities such as electric and water hookups. However, some concerns were raised about litter from previous campers and occasional noise disturbances, particularly late at night. Overall, guests recommend the campground for its serene environment and excellent outdoor activities.

Review Summary

4.5
306 reviews
5
70.3%
215
4
19.0%
58
3
5.2%
16
2
3.6%
11
1
2.0%
6

Michael B

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 39, Loop: Spillway

5

We always have a good time camping at Carlyle Lake

Elizabeth D

Verified

July 27, 2025 Stayed at: 12, Loop: SOUTH LOOP

2

Had reserved spot 12 for tent camping and was quite disappointed. We ended up moving to another campground. These sites were clearly designed with RVs only in mind - only the spots on the ends like 1 & 2 had sufficient grassy area, and there was very little space between sites. Good campground host though.

Michael M

Verified

July 22, 2025 Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP

5

The camp sites are great. The host was very nice and was also very helpful. The bathrooms were nice and clean.

Keith W

Verified

July 10, 2025 Stayed at: 6, Loop: SOUTH LOOP

5

Beautiful park and facilities!!

Janet D

Verified

July 9, 2025 Stayed at: 38, Loop: Spillway

5

This campground has the nicest campground hosts around. We enjoy camping here. The bike trail is close and it is a beautiful ride. The dam is right there and the adults and kids can just walk down the bank to fish.

Kimberly D

Verified

July 8, 2025 Stayed at: 5, Loop: SOUTH LOOP

5

McNair is a smaller campground at Carlyle Lake. Sites are a decent size, level, and asphalt! Water is shared with your neighbor. Bathhouse is immaculate! It also has a very nice beach and two playgrounds! Camphosts have always been friendly and eager to assist! We have been to McNair several times. We had a power source problem at the breaker, they calked someone out that day. One time I picked up half a sack of dog turds from the previous family, the camphost took care of the problem through the ranger. The rangers and the sherriff department make rounds regularly. It is very family friendly atmosphere. The dam is very near by and easy to access. The town is very close, less than 2 miles! Several family and chain restaurants available in town and the surrounding communities. There are choices of local and chain grocery/department type stores for your camping, picnicking, and boating needs!

Mark G

Verified

July 6, 2025 Stayed at: 14, Loop: SOUTH LOOP

5

This is the first time we stayed at McNair. The grounds and facilities were very well maintained and clean. The camp ground host was very helpful and polite.

Dana M

Verified

July 5, 2025 Stayed at: 23, Loop: NORTH LOOP

5

Everything went well for us had a great time

Dana M

Verified

July 5, 2025 Stayed at: 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP

5

Had a great time with friends and the piece and quiet

Chuck W

Verified

July 3, 2025 Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway

5

Campsites were very clean and the attendant was very professional and everything was very quiet not much partying going on late night

Location Dam East - Mcnair Campground

Address:
801 Lake Road
Carlyle, IL, 62231
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 38.6083 / -89.325

Elevation: 136 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Dam East - McNair is 100% reservable, and available for same day reservations.

General

Dam East Spillway is now its own loop within McNair (Sites 33-47) and is open year-round.

General

Campsites are single capacity; no double capacity or buddy sites are available

General

If the Group Area is not reserved, it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis

General

The Spillway Loop does not have a shower house, or dump station. Campers are able to use the shower and dumpstation at the entrace of McNair throughout the non-peak season. *Shower House may not be open 7 days/week. 

General

No personal checks or cash are accepted at this time. Credit/Debit card only.

General

Camping No-Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit their reservation. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees.

General

Cancellation Fees - A $10 service fee is withheld from the refund anytime the customer cancels a camping or day use reservation. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it may be considered a late cancellation and additional fees may be forfeited.
A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

General

Check-out time is 4 p.m. / Check-in time is 5 p.m.

General

Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects.

General

Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

General

Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations