South Sandusky Campground

Reviewed May. 22, 2025

5 Star COE

Using your GPS of choice, you can reach this campground off I-57 via Benton or the IL-154/Sesser exit. The area includes both North Sandusky and South Sandusky COE campgrounds, clearly marked and easy to find. We arrived around 2:00 PM and found the check-in gate closed, but since we had a reservation, we proceeded directly to our back-in site 123 with full hookups. Most sites here offer water and electric (50/30/20 AMP), while the Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section. Note that the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad. There’s one full hookup pull-through site in the Dogwood loop—a long, slightly curved pad with sewer and power connections on the yard side, and water on the standard side. Both North and South Sandusky COE campgrounds offer a wide variety of site types, including lake views, varying utility setups, and well-spaced sites. Paved bike trails run throughout the area. We've been coming here for years, and this campground remains one of our favorites close to home.

Site123

Month of VisitOctober

(9) View All

MickandKarla W.

Reviewed Dec. 23, 2022

One of Our Favs

This campground(CG) is super easy to find. We arrived at the CG at about 1:45 PM, which was early as this CGs check-in is 5:00 PM. The gate office was open and after a very quick check-in, we proceed to one of the few FHUs(50/30/20 AMP), back in site 135. This site slopes downhill we so moved our rig onto the pad towards the back as far as possible to level. The water pressure was poor so we filled our fresh water tank and used our internal water pump. We got 2 bars on Verizon and T-Mobile and quite a few OTA channels. Satellite is iffy due to the number of mature trees in all CG areas. We’ve been to this CG many times but normally stay in the non-full hookup sites closer to the lake. There are five CG/loops within South Sandusky plus a walk-in tent area. We have stayed mostly in the first loop, Dogwood, as you enter, but the others are nice as well with some sites having water and electricity. The only FHUs are in Dogwood and most will take larger rigs. All campsites are reservable but reserved campsites are not marked on the post when you arrive(see the sign pic we posted). A comp host comes by after you set up and tag your post. There is a lot to do here. There are miles of paved bicycle trails, a marina, fishing, and a 27-hole golf course a couple of miles away.

Site135

Month of VisitOctober

(10) View All

Gary P.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 5, 2022

COE does it again

Another great COE Park and this one offers some full hook up sites. ATT & Verizon both came in good. Water & electric (30 amp) were convient & functioned perfectly. Not all sites are very level. We got a great water view site, but lacked afternoon shade. A large park with well spaced site. Well worth the money, especially with the geezer pass.

Site184

Month of VisitOctober

(4) View All

Jennifer

Reviewed Oct. 28, 2021

Peaceful, safe, convenient

We had a peaceful stay with a view of the water! We took our toddler and infant. It was very safe and had close restrooms and playgrounds. The neighbors were super nice and it appeared there were many long-term campers!

Site184

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Nick C.

Reviewed Oct. 28, 2021

Top tier

Great campground! Second time staying here. Nice blacktop roads, clean restroom/shower. Friendly attended. Great view of the lake on a number of sites.

Site147

Month of VisitOctober

Kelly W.

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2021

Lovely gem in Southern IL

We spent part of spring break there this year. Sites are beautifully wooded with many excellent lake views, even with full hookups. Easy access to great bike trails.

Site180

Month of VisitMarch

Joel R.

Reviewed Apr. 6, 2021

Relaxing spot on the water

South Sandusky campground is a Corps of Engineers campground on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. There are 8 tent sites & 119 sites with electric and full hook-ups. Most of the sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views. They are not very level so some adjustments were needed. There is a dump station, flush toilets, showers, a sand beach, boat ramp, 2 picnic shelters, a paved bike trail, and playgrounds. There is no internet. Sites can be reserved on the Internet at www.recreation.gov.

(6) View All

Lee D.

Reviewed Feb. 1, 2021

Another great Corps of Engineers campground

Sites/Facilities: Sites are spaced well apart. Each site has a generous sized paved pad plus an additional paved space for a second vehicle. Each site has a large metal picnic table, fire grate, electric hookup, water, and lantern hook. Site 172 has no visible neighbors to the north and has a filtered water view through the trees. In my opinion, the best sites in the Pine Tree Loop are 172 and 173 plus 183-186; all of these have filtered water views.

Bathhouse: The bathrooms are VERY small and basic (no soap, no hooks) – one tiny sink and two stalls (no showers) but clean. Campers were encouraged to use the facilities in their RVs but we don’t have that option.

Activities/Amenities: There are a nice playground and a nearby beach/boat launch area, which is separate from the campground. There is also a paved bicycle path that appeared to connect the beach area to the campground, but I didn’t access it so cannot verify this.

Conclusion: We arrived late, just missing checking in(booth closed at 6 pm but check-in is not until 5 pm?) and departed by 10 am the next morning so we could not take advantage of the bike path or other potential amenities but for the price ($10 seniors), it is a very good value; the only thing keeping this from a five-star review is the TINY bathroom and I did not see a dumpster to get rid of our garbage (might have missed it). We would definitely return.

Site172

Month of VisitOctober

(12) View All

Jim L.

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2020

South Sandusky camp grounds

All brand new. They have redone this whole place, really nice, very clean .

Paige H.

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2020

4 out of 5

Large campsites with plenty of parking. Nice asphalt pads in Pin Oak section. Bath house and restrooms decently clean. They spray with sanitizer twice daily. So many wild animals and beautiful birds. Walk or bike to lake to fish or swim.

4 out of 5 since there’s no pool and they have limited full hookup sites. Also, shared amenities need updated and could be cleaner.

Missy D.

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2019

Love this place!

We love the large beach. The campsites have a nice set up and are a decent size. The kids loved the playground. There were kids everywhere and everyone was very friendly! Fun spot!

Chelsea D.

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

Clean sites, friendly staff

We camped here on a pretty hot weekend, and most of the sites are well-shaded and mowed. We liked that we could walk down to the water and that there was a bike trail nearby that we could walk on.

Rhonda M.

Reviewed May. 15, 2019

Fun place to be

Had a great time

Mary F.

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2018

Picture perfect

Full hookups to tent camping and spacious sites. This is a Corps of Engineer Campground so bring your America the Beautiful pass! Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome.

Site189

Month of VisitAugust

Cindy C.

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018

Wonderful for all ages. Located on Rend Lake Illinois.

North and South Sandusky campground is located in southern Illinois on Rend Lake. It is a large state park with tons to do. From boating and swimming to hiking and relaxing. The sites have many areas that fit different needs. I have stayed this year in both. My site at North Sandusky was on the water and I could pull my pontoon right behind my campsite. The kids were close enough to the bathrooms and showers to walk. And there was fresh water located there as well. There was a park a bit further down the way as well. But no need as the lake was in the backyard.

South sandusky site was across from a park, bathrooms, showers and water. The beach was a 2 mi hike on a beautiful trail. But we could walk across the street to a fishing swimming spot as well.

The beach is super clean and monitored well.

The bathrooms were cleaned every morning before 7 am. Water had great pressure and was always nice and hot.

I love these campgrounds and can’t wait to go back.

Sitenorrh 101 and south 232

Month of VisitJuly

Rhonda M.

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2018

Beautiful. Fun for the whole family

Fishing. Swimming, hiking, boating, playgrounds. Water and sewer hookups with 30/50 amp electric. Lots of shade. Friendly staff.

Site27

Month of VisitMay

Gina J.

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2018

Amazing View

We love tent camping at South Sandusky. many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous. they have quiet hours from 10-6 and the bathrooms and showers are always really clean (but there are still usually lots of small insects). It’s also just a short drive from the South Sandusky swimming beach. It’s sometimes pretty rocky in the water so we usually wear water shoes. If you camp for the hiking though this isn’t my favorite site. There are lots of bike trails but for just hiking there are much better places.

(4) View All

Chrissy W.

Reviewed May. 4, 2018

Rend lake south sandusky

South Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities. It is wheelchair accessible and walking distance from the lake where you can swim, fish, boat, go tubing or just walk the trails.

Month of VisitAugust

(6) View All

Ed H.