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Dam East - McNair Campground

Carlyle Lake, Illinois

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As of October 2026, Dam East - McNair Campground is a campground in Illinois with 47 campsites. Dam East - McNair Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Dam East - McNair Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Dam East - McNair Campground is located at 38.6083° N, 89.3250° W.

people allowed on 46 of 47 sites: 8
people allowed on the largest site: 80

Dam East - McNair Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

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

Next Available Dates

Oct 1 (22 sites)Oct 4 (26 sites)

22 sites open on Oct 1 at Dam East - McNair Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 04:00 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

Mid-stay changes allowed
Maximum stay: 14 nights
Military discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Dam East - McNair Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Dam East - McNair Campground

C21222324252627282930311234567891011121314151617181920333435363738394041424344454647

Standard 46
Group 1
Hookups 47

What an RV fits

55–59 ft2 sites
60–64 ft5 sites
65–69 ft3 sites
70–74 ft6 sites
75–79 ft3 sites
80–84 ft6 sites
85–89 ft2 sites
95–99 ft2 sites
100–104 ft1 site
115–119 ft1 site

Amenities

potable water

At a glance: Setting: Lake.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife.

All sites at Dam East - McNair Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups
C	McNair Group Area C	Group	80	-	Electric
21	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric
22	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	61 ft	Electric
23	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	64 ft	Electric
24	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	97 ft	Electric
25	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric
26	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	100 ft	Electric
27	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	57 ft	Electric
28	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric
29	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric
30	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	73 ft	Electric
31	NORTH LOOP	Standard	8	73 ft	Electric
1	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water
2	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	72 ft	Electric, Water
3	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	63 ft	Electric, Water
4	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric, Water
5	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	61 ft	Electric, Water
6	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric, Water
7	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric, Water
8	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	88 ft	Electric, Water
9	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water
10	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	85 ft	Electric, Water
11	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	80 ft	Electric, Water
12	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	80 ft	Electric, Water

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups
13	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	81 ft	Electric, Water
14	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric, Water
15	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	81 ft	Electric, Water
16	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	117 ft	Electric, Water
17	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	95 ft	Electric, Water
18	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water
19	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric, Water
20	SOUTH LOOP	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric, Water
33	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
34	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
35	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
36	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
37	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
38	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
39	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
40	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
41	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
42	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
43	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
44	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
45	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
46	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric
47	Spillway	Standard	8	-	Electric

About Dam East - McNair Campground

Overview

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.

Recreation

The area provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are located nearby, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake offers year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There are multiple playgrounds on-site, as well as a swimming beach. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short distance away at the dam.

Facilities

Dam East-McNair Campground has one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 80 people, as well as 47 individual campsites (1-32 located within the North and South loops of the campground, 33-47 located within the East Spillway loop below the main dam) that are available to reserve from the current day up to six months in advance. The facility also provides a swimming beach, bathhouses and laundry facilities. McNair has a nature trail and a multi-use trail, and is connected to the Dam East facilities.

Natural Features

Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes and hosts several annual races and regattas.

Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.

Nearby Attractions

The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information available and nature exhibits on display, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.

Charges & Cancellations

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.

Cancellations - 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.

Rules and notices at Dam East - McNair Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Dam East - McNair Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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.

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

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

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Dam East - McNair Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Dam East - McNair Campground?

Dam East - McNair Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 47 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Dam East - McNair Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Dam East - McNair Campground, 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 Dam East - McNair Campground have?

Dam East - McNair Campground has 47 campsites.

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