Available sites
46 total sites
RV Sites
Tent Sites
About Dam East - Mcnair Campground
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
Water Access
- Beach Access
Rates, Sites & Availability
46 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
46 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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.
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
Debra G
VerifiedNovember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: Spillway
Love camping at Dam East Spillway. The camp hosts are very helpful and friendly!
George c
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: Spillway
I stayed at the dam east campground below the Carlyle lake spillway on the Kaskaskia River. The bathrooms were very clean and to my surprise, heated. Would gladly stay there again.
George c
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: Spillway
I stayed at the dam east campground below the Carlyle lake spillway on the Kaskaskia River. The bathrooms were very clean and to my surprise, heated. Would gladly stay there again.
George c
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: Spillway
I stayed at the dam east campground below the Carlyle lake spillway on the Kaskaskia River. The bathrooms were very clean and to my surprise, heated. Would gladly stay there again.
Ann R
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
On this site it is very very obvious that trees need to be cut down
I filed one complaint on tree limb cutting into my roof and no one ever did anything about it
Look around the campsite
You can see the damage that has been done from the tree diseases
It is sad
However they must come down
No one wants to see that
However that is cheaper to someone losing their life from a falling tree limb
All one has to do is take a look around each campsite and see the trees that are a hazard
Ann R
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
On this site it is very very obvious that trees need to be cut down
I filed one complaint on tree limb cutting into my roof and no one ever did anything about it
Look around the campsite
You can see the damage that has been done from the tree diseases
It is sad
However they must come down
No one wants to see that
However that is cheaper to someone losing their life from a falling tree limb
All one has to do is take a look around each campsite and see the trees that are a hazard
Ann R
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
On this site it is very very obvious that trees need to be cut down
I filed one complaint on tree limb cutting into my roof and no one ever did anything about it
Look around the campsite
You can see the damage that has been done from the tree diseases
It is sad
However they must come down
No one wants to see that
However that is cheaper to someone losing their life from a falling tree limb
All one has to do is take a look around each campsite and see the trees that are a hazard
Pamela C
VerifiedJanuary 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: Spillway
Only stayed one night in January while going south but, once we got there, wish we would have stayed longer. Beautiful park, big sites, lots of bike trails, closer to town. We hope to be able to visit on the way north and stay longer. Host was very nice.
Pamela C
VerifiedJanuary 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: Spillway
Only stayed one night in January while going south but, once we got there, wish we would have stayed longer. Beautiful park, big sites, lots of bike trails, closer to town. We hope to be able to visit on the way north and stay longer. Host was very nice.
Pamela C
VerifiedJanuary 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: Spillway
Only stayed one night in January while going south but, once we got there, wish we would have stayed longer. Beautiful park, big sites, lots of bike trails, closer to town. We hope to be able to visit on the way north and stay longer. Host was very nice.
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.
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
Last updated: October 20, 2026
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Explore Carlyle, IL
Population: 2,980
Elevation: 456 ft
From our Travel Guides
