U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · IA

Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Pickup Truck Campers along river campsitesPhoto · Muscatine Rangers
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
16Sites

The place

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. Keep reading

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 sites · 16

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
CampgroundCampsitestandard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 1standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 10standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 11standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 12standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 13standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 14standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 15standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 2standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 3standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 4standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 5standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 6standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 7standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 8standard nonelectric
CampgroundCampsite 9standard nonelectric

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on 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.

Your representative

This campground sits in IL-17. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard