Carlyle Lake and Rend Lake define the camping landscape near Percy, Illinois, with shorelines spanning over 133 miles combined. These two reservoirs provide the backdrop for cabin camping options located within a 45-minute drive of Percy. Summer temperatures average 85°F with occasional thunderstorms, making spring and fall popular for camping with more moderate weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing at the lake: South Sandusky Campground provides direct water access for fishing enthusiasts. "Fishing. Swimming, hiking, boating, playgrounds. Water and sewer hookups with 30/50 amp electric. Lots of shade. Friendly staff," notes one visitor to South Sandusky Campground.
Hiking through unique terrain: Giant City State Park offers distinctive rock formations and forested trails. According to a camper at Giant City State Park Campground, "The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails."
Mountain biking: Paved bike trails run throughout the South Marcum area, with connections to longer routes around Rend Lake. A camper reports, "South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just of I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites... The campground is on Rend Lake with swimming, fishing and boating."
What campers like
Quiet waterfront locations: Gun Creek features numerous sites with direct lake access. "What a beautiful campground, it's our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them," mentions a recent visitor to Gun Creek.
Forest camping atmosphere: Hawn State Park provides a distinctive pine forest environment. "Hawn is a lovely park just south of the city a few clicks. It's tucked away into the trees with ample shade and options for backpacking, backcountry hiking. The park is nice and sites are spaced out enough," notes a camper at Hawn State Park Campground.
Swimming beaches: Carlyle Lake offers designated swimming areas with sandy beaches. A visitor to Eldon Hazlet State Park mentions, "The campground hosts were sprinkled throughout the grounds and are always friendly and accommodating. They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site."
What you should know
Campsite leveling challenges: Many sites at lakefront campgrounds require leveling equipment. A Gun Creek visitor warns, "It was a good view, also pretty RV heavy, but tent friendly. Grassy area, fire pit, stone table. The facilities are outdated and don't feel super clean."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds are positioned near major highways. "This KOA is not a typical KOA. The spaces were large and roomy. Showers and bathroom were very nice, too," shares a visitor to Benton KOA, though others mention interstate noise.
Seasonal closures: Corps of Engineers campgrounds typically operate March through November. According to a South Marcum camper, "South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just off I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites... Most sites are level. Some are pull-through."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple camping areas feature dedicated play equipment for children. At South Sandusky, "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!"
Halloween festivities: Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area hosts special October events. According to a visitor to Eldon Hazlet State Park, "This campground is worth a stay and hike around, even if it is on one of the shorter, easier trails."
Swimming options: Many locations feature both lake swimming and pools. "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 a South Marcum visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Perryville RV Resort offers full-service sites with sewer connections. According to a visitor to Perryville RV Resort, "Such a clean campground!! There are a ton of big trees and it is really shady. We love our time here."
Site selection strategies: Reserve waterfront sites for views but be prepared for extra foot traffic. "South Marcum 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."
Dump station access: Corps of Engineers campgrounds maintain clean dump facilities. A South Sandusky visitor notes, "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."
