Bonnie, Illinois offers diverse camping options within 20 miles of the town center. Situated on relatively flat terrain in Southern Illinois at approximately 480 feet elevation, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. During peak camping season (April-October), temperatures range from 50-90°F with higher humidity levels in July and August.
What to do
Fishing at Rend Lake: Gun Creek Campground provides excellent fishing access with boat ramps nearby. "What a beautiful campground, it's our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them," notes Jeff F. about the waterfront location at Gun Creek.
Biking on paved trails: South Marcum Campground connects to the extensive trail network around Rend Lake. "We've been coming here for years, and this campground remains one of our favorites close to home," shares MickandKarla W. about the well-maintained paths at South Marcum Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide the best opportunities to spot deer and wild turkeys. "Great campground in the lake. Clean bathhouses. Lots of deer and turkey!" reports Garrett F. about his experience at South Marcum.
What campers like
Spacious sites: North Sandusky Campground offers generous camping areas with natural spacing. "The sites all seem to be fairly well maintained and roomy. Site 42 is very spacious. We had ATT and Tmobile service at our site. Signal was strong enough to stream video and work remotely," explains Jason A. about North Sandusky Campground.
Lakefront views: Spot 56 at South Marcum provides exceptional privacy and views. "If I was in any other spot this would probably be a 4/5, but spot 56 has a crazy lake view and is on the tip of an outlook with pretty nice privacy!" shares Eli R.
Yurt camping options: For those seeking alternative accommodations, yurt camping near Bonnie, Illinois is available at North Marcum Day Use Area. "This is an beautiful little beach on Rend lake. The lake is an important bird habitat making it a great place for my fellow bord watchers to go!" mentions Jill R. about North Marcum Day Use Area, which offers yurt accommodations among its options.
What you should know
Site terrain: Many Rend Lake campgrounds have sloped sites requiring leveling equipment. "South Marcum 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," advises Joel R.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds are affected by interstate traffic. "1 side is directly on the freeway VERY loud, the other is in between the sewer treatment plant and municipal airport. If you're a light sleeper might want to stay away," warns Wil V. about Benton KOA.
Weather preparation: Summer storms can develop quickly, and mosquitoes are abundant near the lake. "Because of the lake there are tons of mosquitos, plan accordingly! There was also a little skunk walking around this morning," warns Brennan M. about Gun Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: South Sandusky Campground offers recreational facilities for children. "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!" recommends Missy D. about South Sandusky Campground.
Swimming beaches: South Sandusky offers a dedicated swimming area with sandy shoreline. "We love tent camping at South Sandusky. Many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous. 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 Gina J.
Seasonal activities: July-August weekends feature ranger programs at several Rend Lake campgrounds. "We only spent one night on our way back home, but can't wait to go back. The campground gives campers plenty of room to spread out, lots of open space for the kids to play, and not crowded when we stopped by late July," notes Chris B. about South Marcum.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Check site levels before booking at Rend Lake campgrounds. "Overall a great stay, very busy as it was full the entire time we were there while the state park down the road was empty. Nice place for families, most campers seemed to be fishing. Absolutely must check how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for Smaller rigs," cautions Never Sitting S. about Gun Creek.
Electric options: Most sites offer 30/50 amp service with varying hookup configurations. "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. Overall very nice campground, well maintained," explains James N. about Archway RV Park.
Nearby services: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to towns for supplies. "Great rates and even better campsites. We got there late and had no problems finding a great campsite right next to the lake," shares Jonathan W. about Gun Creek, which provides easy access to nearby towns for resupply.
