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

Featured amenities

Showers Showers

Available sites

46 total sites

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 mi east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 3 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

46 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 75 × 40 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 85 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 80 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 12, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 80 × 28 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 13, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 81 × 37 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 14, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 70 × 31 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 15, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 81 × 32 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 16, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 117 × 33 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 95 × 26 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 18, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 75 × 25 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 19, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 35 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 2, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 72 × 35 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 20, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 70 × 25 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 21, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 70 × 28 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 22, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 61 × 32 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 23, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 64 × 27 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 97 × 25 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 27 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 26, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 100 × 36 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 57 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 29, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 3, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 63 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 30, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 73 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 73 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
⛺ 33, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 34, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 35, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 36, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 37, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 38, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 39, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
🚐 4, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 32 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
⛺ 40, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 41, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 42, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 43, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 44, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 45, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 46, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
⛺ 47, Loop: Spillway Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
$20
/ per night
🚐 5, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 61 × 31 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 6, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 83 × 30 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 7, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 83 × 31 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 8, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 88 × 32 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 9, Loop: SOUTH LOOP RV
Pet Friendly · 75 × 35 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night

Reviews (1040)

What Guests Are Saying

Dam East - McNair Campground offers a quiet and clean environment, conveniently located just five minutes from town with ample amenities. Campers appreciate the spacious sites, well-kept facilities, and friendly camp hosts. However, some reviews mention issues with water quality, occasional maintenance concerns, and seasonal insect problems. Overall, many guests express a desire to return for future visits.

Review Summary

4.5
1040 reviews
5
69.1%
719
4
19.8%
206
3
5.4%
56
2
3.5%
36
1
2.2%
23

Sheila H

Verified

May 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: NORTH LOOP

5

Nice Campground. Camp host very nice helpful

Donald H

Verified

May 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 39, Loop: Spillway

4

nice area

Ann R

Verified

May 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway

1

Water coming out of faucet is foamy and has a oder to it
One tree has a limb hanging over site when you back in and was reported last year to rangers to be removed because it rubs the roof hard
Tree limbs falling from dead oak trees almost hit camper, was reported to ranger Jack is his name
Three dead oak trees need to be removed ,big dead limbs hanging over fire pit, has been reported to ranger Jack and he said he would let the higher ups know about the bad trees

Ann R

Verified

May 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway

1

Water coming out of faucet is foamy and has a oder to it
One tree has a limb hanging over site when you back in and was reported last year to rangers to be removed because it rubs the roof hard
Tree limbs falling from dead oak trees almost hit camper, was reported to ranger Jack is his name
Three dead oak trees need to be removed ,big dead limbs hanging over fire pit, has been reported to ranger Jack and he said he would let the higher ups know about the bad trees

Crystal B

Verified

May 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP

5

Already planned a return trip. Nice & clean. Great set up.

Crystal B

Verified

May 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP

5

Already planned a return trip. Nice & clean. Great set up.

Melody H

Verified

May 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway

5

Nice, very clean park next to the water. Mowed nicely, no weeds. Would definitely recommend!

Melody H

Verified

May 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway

5

Nice, very clean park next to the water. Mowed nicely, no weeds. Would definitely recommend!

Pam K

Verified

May 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP

3

I love McNair campground. I think we picked the wrong time of year to visit. The bugs/no see ums were horrible.

Pam K

Verified

May 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP

3

I love McNair campground. I think we picked the wrong time of year to visit. The bugs/no see ums were horrible.

Location & Directions for Dam East - Mcnair Campground

801 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL 62231 United States

Elevation: 136 ft

Getting There

From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 22 mi to the Dam East Entrance road. Turn north and continue through the four-way intersection to the McNair Group Area.

Nearest town

Carlyle, IL - 2.6 mi

About 6 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via I-57, with the nearest exit leading to Old U.S. Highway 50, approximately 22 miles to the west.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

5PM

Check out time

4PM

General

  • Dam East - McNair is 100% reservable, and available for same day reservations.
  • Dam East Spillway is now its own loop within McNair (Sites 33-47) and is open year-round.
  • Campsites are single capacity; no double capacity or buddy sites are available
  • If the Group Area is not reserved, it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis
  • 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. 
  • No personal checks or cash are accepted at this time. Credit/Debit card only.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects.
  • 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.
  • Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Carlyle, IL

Population: 2,980

Nearby larger city

St. Louis, MO

Approx. 47 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 456 ft

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