Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Star4.75
11 reviews
34000 176th Ave. W., New Boston, IL 61272
Romantic GetawayPeace & Quiet

Quick Facts

558 ft

Price

$14/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Open season for rese...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Mississippi River Project, Muscatine Ranger Station site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Blanchard Island Recreation Area
$14.00 - $14.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The nightly fee for camping is $14. The 'Scan & Pay' system requires payment on-site through the Recreation.gov mobile app using a credit card. Cash...
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Standard Site Fee$14.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
563-263-7913mvrodmn16@usace.army.mil
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What Campers Say

4.75

Top-Rated

Based on 11 reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanwell-maintained

"User reviews highlight the peaceful and serene nature of Blanchard Island Recreation Area, with special praise for its clean facilities and abundant wildlife. Some users noted challenges with cell service and using the "Scan & Pay" system due to poor reception."

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Campground Map

34000 176th Ave. W., New Boston, IL 61272

Blanchard Island Recreation Area

34000 176th Ave. W., New Boston, IL 61272

Driving directionsFrom Muscatine, IA, cross the Muscatine Bridge into IL, drive about 2 miles on Hwy. 92, then turn right onto 322nd St. W for about 4.5 miles. Turn right onto 176th St. W, a gravel road. Follow this road for about 2.5 miles to the levee. Go up and over the levee to enter the park.
Access requires traveling approximately 2.5 miles on a gravel road. This remote location may pose challenges for vehicles not suited for gravel terrain.
Nearby places
Muscatine, IA (~10 miles, 15-minute drive)
New Boston, IL (~5 miles, 10-minute drive).
Nearby supplies
Basic supplies can be obtained in Muscatine (~10 miles away) or New Boston (~5 miles away).

Best Time to Camp at Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Open from mid-May through mid-October, Blanchard Island welcomes visitors during the Mississippi's most inviting months. Spring arrives with wildflowers and migrating birds, while summer brings warm days perfect for river activities and cool evenings ideal for campfire stories. Early fall paints the bottomlands in golden hues, offering crisp mornings and comfortable afternoons. Throughout the camping season, you'll find reliably moderate temperatures and predominantly dry conditions that make outdoor adventures a pleasure.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer brings warm days and active boating/fishing; site is in-season and popular then.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5
Top 15% in IA

Fall is popular (hunters) and offers migrating birds and quieter conditions; highly favored in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring brings wildflowers and migration, but campground opens May 15 (late spring availability).

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 15–Oct 15, so winter season not applicable.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 1 to October 25 is peak season.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season for reservations is May 15th to October 15th. The campground closes outside of these dates.

About Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Escape to Blanchard Island Recreation Area, where 15 riverside campsites await along the mighty Mississippi River. This hidden gem delivers an authentic backcountry experience without sacrificing essential amenities. Each site comes thoughtfully equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. Modern concrete vault toilets, convenient potable water hydrants, and a full-service dump station ensure your stay remains comfortable. Whether you're casting a line into the river's legendary waters, scanning the skies for magnificent wildlife, or simply soaking in the profound peace of this riverine sanctuary, Blanchard Island offers the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.
Blanchard Island Recreation Area is a first-come, first-serve campground catering primarily to tent and small RV campers. The area offers a peaceful, backcountry setting ideal for primitive camping and outdoor recreation.
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Reserving a campsite

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Stay Limit
There is a maximum stay limit, though no specific days were mentioned in the source materials.

Amenities available

Potable water
Dump station
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The Blanchard Island Recreation Area offers various outdoor activities including fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and hunting. Visitors frequently praise the serenity and close proximity to nature. Fishermen have reported success catching catfish, while wildlife enthusiasts have noted sightings of Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, and otters.
FishingFishing is a popular activity, with visitors reporting good luck catching catfish from the island. A boat launch is available for those seeking to explore the Mississippi River's fishing spots.
BoatingThe campground offers a boat ramp, making it convenient for activities like fishing and hunting that require access to the Mississippi River. Boaters can explore the nearby Blanchard Chute.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a highlight here, with frequent sightings of Bald Eagles, ducks, Pileated Woodpeckers, deer, muskrats, and otters. The serene, natural setting enhances the experience.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsGravel road access may challenge some vehicles. Bug spray is recommended due to mosquitos in the area.

Weather at Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Reviews

4.8
11 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Blanchard Island Recreation Area is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the peaceful and serene nature of Blanchard Island Recreation Area, with special praise for its clean facilities and abundant wildlife. Some users noted challenges with cell service and using the "Scan & Pay" system due to poor reception.
Review Summaries
Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the campground's tranquillity, natural beauty, and cleanliness. Visitors appreciated the well-maintained vault toilets and the opportunity to connect with nature. One user...
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Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

Some user complaints include spotty cell service, which affected the usability of the "Scan & Pay" system, and the need to bring bug spray due to the backcountry location.
Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include bringing bug spray to handle insects, being prepared for limited cell service, and downloading the Recreation.gov app before arriving. One visitor recommended carrying a...
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Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal trends suggest the campground is most popular during its open season (May 15th - October 15th), with fall being particularly favored by hunters. The campground is quieter during the shoulder...
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Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'I loved it. It was quiet and I was the only camper there until late when a motorhome came in.' 2. 'Very pleasant host where payment has to be online by downloading an app, worked well but took 45...
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Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific site numbers are not mentioned in reviews, but users praise the overall layout and cleanliness of the campground.
Based on 11 reviews

Accessibility Features

No accessibility-specific reviews were found in the source materials.
Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but there are no detailed reviews specific to pet-related experiences.
Based on 11 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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