Pro scans every minute· 119K campsites tracked

Hard to Book

Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Mississippi River - Pools 11-22, Illinois

Sold out? We check Blanchard Island Recreation Area for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

Cancellation alerts

Sold out for your dates?

ArriveLeave

Free to start. Email alerts included.

As of October 2026, Blanchard Island Recreation Area is a campground in Illinois with 16 campsites. Blanchard Island Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Blanchard Island Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Blanchard Island Recreation Area is located at 41.3475° N, 91.0537° W.

Blanchard Island Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
Maximum stay: 14 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Blanchard Island Recreation Area, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Amenities

restrooms
potable water
dump station

At a glance: Setting: River · Access: Gravel road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, wildlife, photography.

About Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Overview

The Mississippi River Project’s Muscatine Ranger Station has gone to a new way to pay for First-Come First-Serve campsites at the Blanchard Island Recreation Area. This new way is called "Scan & Pay". Blanchard Island’s open fee dates are May 15th through October 15th. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site using the QR Code and Recreation.gov mobile APP. (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment. Credit Card Only.)

Recreation

Fisherman have good luck fishing for catfish from Blanchard Island. If you have a boat, you can launch it from here and find the best catfish holes. In the Fall, hunters enjoy camping and hunting deer from here, as well as the Island; if they bring their boat.

Others just enjoy the serenity of the park and the natural views of the river and bottom lands. Wildife viewing is a popular activity here. Bald Eagles, ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, and the occasional muskrat or otter may be seen.

Facilities

This "off the beaten" path Class B campground is a fisherman' and hunter's and camper's paradise. The park has a boat ramp, concrete vault toilets, 15 campsites-each with a picnic table and fire ring, as well as a beautiful and quiet view of Blanchard Chute on the Mississippi River.

There are a number of water hydrants throughout the park that provide potable water. A dump station is also available for camper's use.

Natural Features

Blanchard Island Recreation Area is a great place to view wildlife due to it's serene backcountry feel. It sits along the backwaters of the Mississippi River. You'll have to travel about 2 miles on a gravel road to get here, but it's well worth it. You'll want to bring the bug spray though to be safe!

Charges & Cancellations

As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.

Rules and notices at Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Blanchard Island Recreation Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

The Mississippi River Project’s Muscatine Ranger Station has gone to a new way to pay for First-Come First-Serve campsites at the Blanchard Island Recreation Area. Blanchard Island’s open fee dates are May 15th through October 15th.

First, you’ll want to download the Recreation.gov mobile APP to your phone prior to coming to the park, then create an account if you don’t already have one, because some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Second, all campsites are on a First-Come First-Serve basis. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment. Credit Card Only.)

Third, all payments will be completed by the customer using their smartphone (Android and IOS) by scanning a QR Code using the Recreation.gov mobile APP.

Note: You cannot use Recreation.gov the website, to secure your site; you must use the Recreation.gov mobile APP and be at the campground. The Recreation.gov website, however; will have an information page for Blanchard Island now, so you can learn more about “Scan and Pay” here.

All dogs must be on a 6 foot leash and not allowed to roam freely for the safety of other campers and the pet.

Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am. Generators are not allowed during this time.

A maximum of 6 campers are allowed per site as well as 2 vehicles.

Practice Leave No Trace Principles

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Blanchard Island Recreation Area FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?

Blanchard Island Recreation Area is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Blanchard Island Recreation Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Blanchard Island Recreation Area have?

Blanchard Island Recreation Area has 16 campsites.

Campgrounds