Rend Lake near Benton, Illinois sits at an elevation of 405 feet with over 160 miles of shoreline surrounding the 18,900-acre reservoir. Camping options cluster around the lake's extensive shoreline, particularly along the western and northern edges where most developed camping facilities operate from late March through early November. Winter temperatures in the region average 30-40°F while summer months typically reach 85-90°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Gun Creek Campground offers excellent lake access with fishing directly from lakeside sites. "Site 30, located directly on the water in the Nighthawk campground" provides water views and direct access according to one camper, who noted "I like to camp at lakes because I enjoy kayaking and this lake would allow for all kinds of water activities."
Biking trails: South Sandusky Campground features paved bike paths throughout the property. "Paved bike trails run throughout the area," notes one reviewer who's been visiting for years. Another visitor mentioned "There is a paved bike trail" that doubles as a walking trail with "beautiful scenery along the way."
Disc golf: The North Sandusky Recreation Area provides a disc golf course for campers looking for recreational activities beyond water sports. "There is a boat dock, boat ramp, playground, and disk golf course," notes a reviewer who appreciates the variety of activities available at the campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: North Sandusky Campground receives high marks for site size. "The sites all seem to be fairly well maintained and roomy. Site 42 is very spacious," reports one camper. Another notes "Campsite sizes vary, but all are reasonably spaced."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting around Rend Lake attracts diverse wildlife. "We have had deer playing on an adjacent site to us. Fun place to camp with family and friends," shared one visitor to North Sandusky. The natural shoreline features "exposed roots of trees along the shore, erosion at work," providing an interesting landscape.
Lake views: Many campsites throughout the rv campgrounds near Benton offer water views. "South Sandusky campground is a Corps of Engineers campground on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois... Most of the sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views," explains one reviewer who appreciated the setting.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Arrowhead Lake Campground, "The tent sites were adequate and semi level," according to one visitor. At South Sandusky, a reviewer noted "They are not very level so some adjustments were needed," while another explained "Our site (#90) had a drop off between the drive way and the picnic table/fire ring. We had to use blocks so our camper stairs would reach the ground."
Seasonal considerations: Most Benton area rv parks operate seasonally. South Sandusky runs "from March 28 to November 2" while North Sandusky operates "from March 30 to October 28." For year-round options, consider Archway RV Park or Benton KOA which both operate throughout winter months.
Highway noise: Some RV campgrounds near Benton experience road noise. "It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs," noted one Benton KOA visitor. Another camper mentioned "One of the down sides is that you can clearly hear the highway from the campground, and of course if you have a lake site, you will have plenty of boat noise."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Archway RV Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "There is a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location," reports one visitor. Similar facilities exist at South Sandusky where "There is a sand beach, boat ramp, 2 picnic shelters, a paved bike trail, and playgrounds."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches. "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," advises one regular visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Arrowhead Lake Campground features "large childrens playground" along with a lake full of waterfowl. "We walked a nature trail and down by the lake. There were ducks and geese, and it was a lovely reprieve from our travels to walk along the edges of the lake," shared one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Marion Campground & RV Park offers full hookups for those needing complete services. "Pull thru, 50 amp, full hookup. Bar, gaming, laundry, wifi, and showers on site," reports one visitor. At Archway RV Park, "Sites are nice, although all sites face each other meaning you will be 5-10 feet from your neighbors if you are sitting out front. Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."
Internet access: Cell service and WiFi quality varies between rv parks in Benton. At North Sandusky, campers report "We had ATT and Tmobile service at our site. Signal was strong enough to stream video and work remotely." At Archway RV Park, "The WiFi works great as I was able to stream anything I wanted on Hulu," though another location warned "Internet on this side is non-existent and I only have 1 or 2 bars on Verizon."
Easy access locations: For travelers passing through, several campgrounds offer convenient highway access. "We travel between Charleston, SC and Omaha, NE several times a year and always stay here on return trip," notes one Archway RV visitor. "Easy on and off Interstate 64," mentions another, while Marion Campground & RV Park is described as "very handy to interstate, well maintained, dry pads, easy connections."
