Army Corps of Engineers · Illinois
Blanchard Island Recreation Area
Army Corps of Engineers · Illinois, United States
- Sites
- 16
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 16 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to October 24
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 558 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
- Nearest town
- New Boston
- Address
- 34000 176th Ave. W. , New Boston, IL, 61272
- Phone
- 563-263-7913
- Activities
- Birding, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Water Access
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 14° | -19° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 36° | 20° | -13° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 49° | 32° | 8° | 76° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 62° | 41° | 25° | 81° | 5 of 11 |
| May | 74° | 56° | 40° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 84° | 65° | 49° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 69° | 62° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 67° | 58° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 81° | 61° | 52° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 47° | 29° | 84° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 51° | 33° | 9° | 73° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 26° | -9° | 70° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Deep Lakes Park · City, County & Regional Parks · 2 mi · 21 sites
- Langwood Education Center · City, County & Regional Parks · 9 mi
- Fairport State Recreation Area · Iowa State Parks · 9 mi · 43 sites
- Shady Creek · Army Corps of Engineers · 11 mi · 56 sites
- Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area · City, County & Regional Parks · 12 mi
All public campgrounds in Illinois · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.