Blanchard Island Recreation Area
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. (Cash will no longer be accepted for payment. Credit Card Only.)
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Illinois · reservable in Illinois · pets allowed in Illinois
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| 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. |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | New Boston, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41.3475° N, 91.0537° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site using the QR Code and Recreation.gov mobile APP.
Charges and cancellations
As in the past, no refunds will be given if you must leave the campground early.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Campers Inn RV of Davenport ↗ | 29.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Fin & Feather ↗ | 32.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping at Blanchard Island campground.
Worth a stop
- 11.5 miShady Creek Recreation Area - Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 14.8 miClark's Ferry Recreation Area - Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
Public land it sits in
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge begins about 13.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.2 miPort Louisa National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 18,601 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- McKee Button CompanyBuilding · Muscatine · 4.7 mi
- Clark-Blackwell HouseBuilding · Muscatine · 4.8 mi
- J. C. B. Warde HouseBuilding · Muscatine · 4.8 mi
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!
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.
Guidebooks for Illinois
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
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.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Blanchard Island Recreation Area have?
16 sites, including 16 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
Blanchard Island Recreation Area is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
A dump station is also available for camper's use.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Blanchard Island Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
Fisherman have good luck fishing for catfish from Blanchard Island. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Blanchard Island Recreation Area?
New Boston, Illinois.
Source: Getting there
What if Blanchard Island Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Shady Creek (11.5 mi), Clarks Ferry (15.1 mi), and Tailwater East Campground (35.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby