Dam East - McNair Campground

Photo · USACE

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

48Sites

117 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 48

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric
McNair Group Area C	C	group standard electric	—	20/30
NORTH LOOP	21	standard electric	70 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	22	standard electric	61 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	23	standard electric	64 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	24	standard electric	97 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	25	standard electric	65 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	26	standard electric	100 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	27	standard electric	57 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	28	standard electric	58 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	29	standard electric	60 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	30	standard electric	73 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	31	standard electric	73 ft	20/30/50
NORTH LOOP	32	management	74 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	1	standard electric	75 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	10	standard electric	85 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	11	standard electric	80 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	12	standard electric	80 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	13	standard electric	81 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	14	standard electric	70 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	15	standard electric	81 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	16	standard electric	117 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	17	standard electric	95 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	18	standard electric	75 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	19	standard electric	65 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	2	standard electric	72 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	20	standard electric	70 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	3	standard electric	63 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	4	standard electric	65 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	5	standard electric	61 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	6	standard electric	83 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	7	standard electric	83 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	8	standard electric	88 ft	20/30/50
SOUTH LOOP	9	standard electric	75 ft	20/30/50
Spillway	33	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	34	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	35	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	36	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	37	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	38	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	39	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	40	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	41	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	42	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	43	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	44	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	45	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	46	standard electric	—	20/30/50
Spillway	47	standard electric	—	20/30/50

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in IL-12. This member’s public-lands record →

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