Blanchard Island Recreation Area
Campground · Illinois · 16 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 16
- Bookable sites
- up to 6
- People per site
- 548 ft
- Elevation
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.
The facts
- 16 bookable sites
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: Campground
Site types
- 16 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
16 campsites at Blanchard Island Recreation Area
Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Riverfront | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| Campsite 1 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 10 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 11 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 12 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 13 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 14 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 15 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 2 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 3 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 4 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 5 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 6 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 7 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 8 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Campsite 9 | Campground | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — |
Getting there
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.
41.34750, -91.05371 · 41°20'51.0"N 91°3'13.4"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31 | 36 | 50 | 63 | 74 | 82 | 85 | 83 | 78 | 65 | 49 | 36 |
| Low °F | 13 | 17 | 28 | 39 | 51 | 61 | 64 | 62 | 54 | 42 | 30 | 20 |
| Precip in | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
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.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Blanchard Island Recreation Area
- Can you reserve a site at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
- Yes, Blanchard Island Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Blanchard Island Recreation Area have?
- 16 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Blanchard Island Recreation Area.
- Does Blanchard Island Recreation Area have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
- Campfires are allowed at Blanchard Island Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Blanchard Island Recreation Area
- Shady Creek 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Clarks Ferry 15.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Turkey Creek Day Use Area 35.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tailwater East Campground 35.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- East Overlook Day Use Area 35.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tailwater West Campground 35.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tailwater West Day Use Area 35.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cottonwood Campground (Ia) 35.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Overlook Campground 36.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Linder Point Campground 36.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum 26.9 mi · Library
- Visitor Center 27 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 563-263-7913
- Email mvrodmn16@usace.army.mil
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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