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Blanchard Island Recreation Area
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — New Boston · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 |
| Location | New Boston · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 · 41.34750, -91.05371 · Map |
| Sites | 16 public sites counted from the federal listing — 16 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 16 sites Water hookups at 0 of 16 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 16 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 16 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | There are no additional fees to camp at or utilize this park. The "Scan & Pay" way to pay for your campsite is easy to use. However, once payment is made on-site; know that we do not offer refunds or modifications. |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Phone | 563-263-7913 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
To get to Blanchard Island Recreation Area you will need to drive on approximately 2.5 miles of gravel road. The address is 34000 176th Ave. W., New Boston, IL 61272.
From Muscatine, IA, you will need to cross the Muscatine Bridge into IL. You'll drive about 2 miles on Hwy. 92, then turn right onto 322nd St. W for about 4.5 miles. Then you'll turn right onto 176th St. W, which is a gravel road. Follow this gravel road all the way to the levee for about 2.5 miles, then go up and over the levee to enter the park.
Nearest federal campgrounds
38 mi straight-line · East Moline IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersThomson Causeway
64 mi straight-line · Thomson IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersBlanding Landing
73 mi straight-line · HANOVER IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersWilborn Creek (Group Camp)
174 mi straight-line · SHELBYVILLE IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersOpossum Creek
178 mi straight-line · SHELBYVILLE Illinois
Trip Card — Blanchard Island Recreation Area
New Boston · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | New Boston · Illinois · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 |
| Fees | There are no additional fees to camp at or utilize this park. The "Scan & Pay" way to pay for your campsite is easy to use. However, once payment is made on-site; know that we do n… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 16 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10113966 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.