Illinois · published-coordinate region
Dam East - McNair Campground
Look beyond the campground name. Compare the actual sites and the details that matter to your trip.
US Army Corps of Engineers47Supported overnight records
2Published site categories
47Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.
A closer look at the 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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.
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.
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.
Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site
How much is documented?
Reported fields across the 47 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.
Party limit
47
Vehicle limit
47
Vehicle length
31
Driveway entry
46
Shade
47
Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.
The campsite mix
Standard Electric
46
Group Standard Electric
1
Operator directions
From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 22 miles to the Dam East Entrance road. Turn north and continue through the four-way intersection to the McNair Group Area.
Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.
THE ACTUAL SITES
47 published campsite records
Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.
View all 47 published site records
| SITE / LOOP | TYPE | EQUIPMENT LIMITS | PEOPLE / VEHICLES | DRIVEWAY | ELECTRIC / SHADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 1 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 75 ft Tent: 75 ft Trailer: 75 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 75 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 10 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 85 ft Tent: 85 ft Trailer: 85 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 85 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 11 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 80 ft Tent: 80 ft Trailer: 80 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 80 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 12 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 80 ft Tent: 80 ft Trailer: 80 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 80 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 13 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 81 ft Tent: 81 ft Trailer: 81 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 81 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 14 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 70 ft Tent: 70 ft Trailer: 70 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 70 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 15 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 81 ft Tent: 81 ft Trailer: 81 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 81 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 16 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 117 ft Tent: 117 ft Trailer: 117 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 117 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 17 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 95 ft Tent: 95 ft Trailer: 95 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 95 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 18 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 75 ft Tent: 75 ft Trailer: 75 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 75 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 19 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 65 ft Tent: 65 ft Trailer: 65 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 65 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 2 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 72 ft Tent: 72 ft Trailer: 72 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 72 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 20 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 70 ft Tent: 70 ft Trailer: 70 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 70 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 21 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 70 ft Tent: 70 ft Trailer: 70 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 70 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 22 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 61 ft Tent: 61 ft Trailer: 61 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 61 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 23 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 64 ft Tent: 64 ft Trailer: 64 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 64 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 24 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 97 ft Tent: 97 ft Trailer: 97 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-Through 97 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 25 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 65 ft Tent: 65 ft Trailer: 65 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 65 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 26 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 100 ft Tent: 100 ft Trailer: 100 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-Through 100 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 27 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 57 ft Tent: 57 ft Trailer: 57 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 57 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 28 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 58 ft Tent: 58 ft Trailer: 58 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 58 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 29 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 60 ft Tent: 60 ft Trailer: 60 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 3 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 63 ft Tent: 63 ft Trailer: 63 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 63 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 30 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 73 ft Tent: 73 ft Trailer: 73 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 73 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 31 NORTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 73 ft Tent: 73 ft Trailer: 73 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 73 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Full |
| Site 33 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 34 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 35 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-through 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 36 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 37 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Pull-through 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 38 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 39 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 55 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 4 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 65 ft Tent: 65 ft Trailer: 65 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 65 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 40 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 41 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 55 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 42 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 43 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 44 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 45 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 46 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 60 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 47 Spillway Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Not reportedNumeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-in 50 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 5 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 61 ft Tent: 61 ft Trailer: 61 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 61 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 6 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 83 ft Tent: 83 ft Trailer: 83 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 83 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 7 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 83 ft Tent: 83 ft Trailer: 83 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 83 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 8 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 88 ft Tent: 88 ft Trailer: 88 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 88 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site 9 SOUTH LOOP Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Standard Electric | Rv: 75 ft Tent: 75 ft Trailer: 75 ft Numeric screening only | 8 people 2 vehicles | Back-In 75 (raw length) | 20/30/50 Shade: Yes |
| Site C McNair Group Area C Source updated: 2025-12-06 | Group Standard Electric | Rv: limit unknown Tent: limit unknown Trailer: limit unknown Numeric screening only | 80 people 30 vehicles | Not reported Not reported | 20/30 Shade: Yes |
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