Blanchard Island Recreation Area

Show on map 563-263-7913 mvrodmn16@usace.army.mil

1315 River's Edge Drive
Muscatine, IA 52761

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.

Camp site features

Across 16 camp sites:

Fire pit: 1 of 16 sites
Pets allowed: 1 of 16 sites
Largest party: 6 people

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.

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

9 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

John T

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Reviewed 10 months ago

I love this campground. It’s out of the way and not too many people visit which makes it quiet. Firewood is plentiful from fallen trees and logs that wash ashore from the river.

Gregory H

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Reviewed a year ago

The campground host Lance was VERY nice & friendly, giving excellent information about the area, including the recent weather impacting river conditions (I chose NOT to kayak there based on his information for safety concerns). The new raised toilets are an excellent improvement! Perhaps these can be added to additional campgrounds along with section of the Mississippi, like Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area?

Anthony P

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Reviewed a year ago

Nice, quiet, primitive campground on the backwaters of the Mississippi River.

Ian S

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Reviewed 3 years ago

Fantastic - we spent an extra night here it was so peaceful. The river view, the big trees, birds galore. Great spot.

John T

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Reviewed 4 years ago

I found the campground via the Kamoot app on my phone. I was riding my bike across Iowa into Illinois and chose to stay at Blanchards. I loved it. It was quiet and I was the only camper there until late when a motorhome came in. The campground hosts were nowhere to be found. I downloaded and used the app which worked great. Spotty cell coverage with Verizon.

James L

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Reviewed 5 years ago

Great primitive campsites along the river.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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