Available sites
46 total sites
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About Dam East - Mcnair Campground
Activities & Attractions
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Year-round
Fishing
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Boating
Summer
Boating
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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
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46 Sites Available
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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
John S
VerifiedOctober 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Great experience
Kenneth I
VerifiedOctober 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
.
Eve I
VerifiedOctober 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Nice big campground, campsites were large and very level. Just stopped for the night but the lake looked wonderful for fishing, etc. Our spot was a short walk to the restrooms which were clean and functional. Not a shady campsite for summer camping though parentheses of them near us were.
Michael P
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
This is a lovely smaller campground on the southern edge of Lake Carlyle. I was particularly happy about the bike trail that connected the sites nearby and the town of Carlyle. It kept me busy in nature for many hours!
Tamra T
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: Spillway
Very clean area and nice surroundings
John H
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Very nice campground quiet and peaceful we will be back
Laura K
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
The cost was extremely reasonable, especially with our America the Beautiful pass. The bathrooms were cleaned thoroughly daily. Our firepits were cleaned out for us. Biking around the campground was easy. The bike trail was easy to follow and the roads were almost empty so either way we went, east or west, was easy and enjoyable. It was very hot the entire time we were there so we appreciated the electric for our AC. We stayed in the south loop.
TD T
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Right on the lake, overall well maintained, pleasant.
James K
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: Spillway
Everything was great!Especially being able to reserve site with talking on phone to a live person.Thank you recreation.gov!
Kennith S
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Easy to get too. Very clean park and bathhouses. Beautiful area.
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
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