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Camping near Rend Lake

665 Reviews

Rend Lake camping includes several good options throughout the area. South Sandusky Campground has tent and RV sites right by the water. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground gives you big sites with quick lake access. Giant City State Park Campground has trails that go through interesting rock formations. Crab Orchard Lake Campground is great if you want to fish without going far. Turkey Ridge Campground stays quiet and keeps their grounds in good shape. You should book ahead in summer since these places fill up fast. You can make reservations on the internet, and it's smart to do it a few months early. Watch for fire bans during dry weather. Most places around Rend Lake limit stays to 14 days so everyone gets a chance to camp. Getting to these campgrounds is pretty easy on paved roads. Some spots might need trucks or SUVs if it's been raining a lot. Double-check the rules and permits before you head out. Rend Lake has good camping whether you're in a tent or bringing an RV.

Map showing campgrounds near Rend Lake, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Rend Lake (103)

    1. Gun Creek

    20 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Several sites are right on Rend Lake. Most sites have concrete picnic tables and fire rings. The bath houses are really nice, they are individual shower houses that are clean and well lit."

    "This is a nice campground on Rend Lake. The sites themselves are nice and the lake is beautiful! Our only issue is that the sites on not very level."

    2. South Sandusky Campground

    19 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $26 / night

    "Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome."

    "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."

    3. South Marcum Campground

    15 Reviews
    Benton, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $44 / night

    "This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."

    "South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just of I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites. Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups."

    4. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 629-2320

    "Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. It’s a great place for camping, fishing and bikes."

    "Many of the sites are walk up only.  The sites have a lot of room to enjoy a relaxing weekend or set up yard games.  Rend lake is a good size lake with numerous areas to explore the water."

    5. Whittington Woods Campground

    11 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 435-3401

    "Short drive to Rend Lake, bike trails, kayaks, fishing. Also, a fun winery about 1 mile north! I do recommend this campground!"

    "Close to the interstate, but not too close. A good mix of sites, the back in sites are open enough that it’s not too challenging getting in. Nice services and management."

    6. Benton KOA

    12 Reviews
    Benton, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 439-4860

    "Not a bad place for a stop between destinations or a couple days at the lake would be fine. Roads and sites were well maintained. The dog park gets muddy quick, it’s mostly moss and dirt."

    "We did come in around 8:30pm and it was a little difficult to see site markers but the hosts left us an envelope with a map along with their notes and drawings to get to the site so it was fine."

    7. North Sandusky Campground

    5 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $26 / night

    "North Sandusky Campground is a gem in Southern Illinois. Many of the sites are backed up to Rend lake and the others back up to the woods.

    The sites all seem to be fairly well maintained and roomy."

    "What can I say, all the places around Rend Lake are great. Really enjoyed camping here, stayed a week. I’ll be back."

    8. Rend Lake

    5 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    4 miles
    Website

    "Rend Lake is one of our favorite lakes at which to camp. All of the COE engineer campgrounds are well maintained and have waterfront sites!"

    "I love camping at Rend Lake. More specifically, South Sandysky campground. It is clean, the shower houses are immaculate. It’s always fully stocked and clean. The beach isn’t littered with trash."

    9. COE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $30 / night

    "The Corps of Engineers campgrounds at Rend Lake are very well kept and a safe bet for a weekend away. Showers are clean, bathrooms all “flush”.

    Campsite sizes vary, but all are reasonably spaced."

    "We have had deer playing on an adjacent site to us. Fun place to camp with family and friends. Never want to leave."

    10. South Sandusky Day Use

    4 Reviews
    Rend Lake, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493
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Recent Camping Photos near Rend Lake

125 Photos of 103 Rend Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rend Lake

665 Reviews of 103 Rend Lake Campgrounds

Guide to Rend Lake

Camping near Rend Lake, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy nature and relax.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Giant City State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter," making it a great spot year-round.
  • Fishing: Head to Gun Creek for some fishing. A reviewer noted, "Excellent park but many sights aren’t flat. Not all have water, septic," indicating the need to choose your spot wisely for fishing access.
  • Wine Tasting: If you enjoy wine, several wineries are a short drive from South Sandusky Campground. One visitor shared, "The campground is good, and camp hosts very friendly and helpful," making it a perfect base for your winery adventures.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Turkey Ridge Campground. A review stated, "Bathrooms and shower house were all clean!" which is always a plus when camping.
  • Spacious Sites: At South Marcum Campground, visitors enjoy the roomy sites. One camper said, "Sites are well spaced apart," allowing for a more private experience.
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the helpful staff at Archway RV Park. A reviewer mentioned, "The staff was great," which can make a big difference in your camping experience.

What you should know:

  • Reservation System: Be aware of the reservation system at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The reservation system and finding a spot was overly complicated for a first timer," so plan ahead.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Crab Orchard Lake Campground, may have limited amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Bathrooms in terrible condition - especially showers," so manage your expectations.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Expect to see wildlife, especially at Washington County State Recreation Area. One camper shared, "Lots of wildlife," which can be exciting but also requires caution.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like South Sandusky Campground. A family-friendly review stated, "It was very safe and had close restrooms and playgrounds."
  • Short Trails: Choose campgrounds with shorter hiking trails, such as Turkey Ridge Campground. A camper noted, "The trails include everything — bluffs from above and below," making it suitable for young kids.
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Many campgrounds have quiet hours. At Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground, a camper mentioned, "Quiet camping convenient to I-57," which is great for families needing rest.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: When booking at Gun Creek, be mindful of site levels. One reviewer said, "Not all sites are very level," so bring leveling blocks if needed.
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like South Marcum Campground. A camper mentioned, "Only $26 a night for full-hookups is amazing."
  • Cell Service: Be aware of cell service availability. A visitor at Archway RV Park noted, "AT&T is marginal at 2 bars LTE," so plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.

Camping near Rend Lake, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just relaxing, there's something for every camper to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Rend Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rend Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 103 campgrounds and RV parks near Rend Lake and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rend Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rend Lake is Gun Creek with a 4.7-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rend Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Rend Lake.

What parks are near Rend Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Rend Lake that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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