Best RV Parks near Rend Lake
Looking for the best RV campgrounds near Rend Lake? Finding RV campgrounds in Illinois is easier than ever. These scenic and easy-to-reach Rend Lake campsites are perfect for RV campers.
Best RV Sites Near Rend Lake, IL (80)
1. Archway RV Park
Mount Vernon, Illinois15 Reviews•17 Photos•42 SavesOpen year-round, Archway RV Park is easy to get to from the Interstate. Level, full-hookup pull through sites that are big-rig friendly. We love pets. You’ll love that we sell propane. Visit our Amenities page to see photos of our facility. We also have cabins, super fun glamper pods and on-site rental campers. Visit our Lodging page to learn more.
Come on in, you’re gonna love it.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$60 / night
2. Bubba J’s RV Park
Be the first to review!Bonnie, Illinois•4 Photos•4 Saves13 Full hook-up sites - all are shaded. Nine of the sites are annual with lots of parking. Four are 90' pull throughs with electric (20/30/50), water and sewer.
Rend Lake is only 5 minutes away - huge recreation lake - Marina, Kayak Trails, Bike Trails etc. Several Golf Courses in the area.
Bar/Restaurant next door - Bubba Too's
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Trash
$42 / night
3. Marion Campground & RV Park
Johnston City, Illinois6 Reviews•8 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$40 / night
4. Willow Bend Retreat - Temporarily Closed
Johnston City, Illinois1 Review•1 Photo•1 SaveWillow Bend Retreat coming Spring 2023! Claim your spot today!
160 Acre Retreat grounds
Dry Camping, Glamping, 15 Rv sites incl. Water & Elec
Bathhouse, Nature Trails, Fishing,
Rv Dump Station
Drive-in & Hike-in sites
FOR INFO/ PRICING/RESERV
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$40 - $200 / night
5. Goatey Goat Ranch RV Park & Campground
Perryville, Missouri3 Reviews•13 Photos•25 SavesCome relax and get away from it all on our spacious 120+ acre farm in Perry County Missouri! At the entrance you will cross the cattle guard then enter a tunnel traveling through dense woods. Continue on a short drive then come out into a field where the massive red barn will appear! Shortly past the barn there is a large gravel lot with full hookup campsites. NO FACILITIES, NOT SUITABLE FOR TENT CAMPING.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$30 - $50 / night
6. Hayes Canyon Campground
Eddyville, Illinois1 Review•1 Photo•28 SavesAt Hayes Canyon Campground we have 34 RV campsites available for rent for a day, weekend, week, or longer!
We offer 2 cabins and 3 rental RVs. There is a rental available for all budgets so book now! They go fast!
Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons and holiday weekends, when we often are fully booked months in advance.
We specialize in catering to campers with horses who want to enjoy trail riding on the many scenic trails in the Shawnee National Forest. Other campers, backpackers, hikers, and hunters are always welcome. To view a trail map online . . .
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$15 - $32 / night
7. Whittington Woods Campground
Whittington, Illinois11 Reviews•9 Photos•26 SavesWe also have a basketball court, propane, dump station and our laundry room has brand new machines. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the park. We have added a new activity/meeting room with central ac/heat, pictures are located on our Facebook page.
Laundry Pull-Thru Sites 30 & 50 Amp Service Big Rig Friendly Pet Friendly Playground Ice Clean Restrooms/Hot Showers Activity/Meeting Room Dump Station Pool Grocery Store Basketball Pavilion- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
8. Gun Creek
Whittington, Illinois19 Reviews•63 Photos•90 SavesOverview
Congratulations! You've just discovered Rend Lake, the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here in the heart of Southern Illinois.
Recreation
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Facilities
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Natural Features
Gun Creek sits along the Eastern banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois.
Nearby Attractions
Rend Lake Golf Complex, which includes a 27-hole golf course, restuarant, and lodge.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$30 / night
9. South Sandusky Campground
Sesser, Illinois18 Reviews•52 Photos•101 SavesOverview
Congratulations! You've just discovered Rend Lake, the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change througout the year. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here in the heart of Southern illinois.
Recreation
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Facilities
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Natural Features
South Sandusky Campground is situated around Sandusky cove on Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. With nicely spaced campsites and plenty of activities easily accessible from the campground, South Sandusky is an excellent destination for camping at Rend Lake. Wildlife in the area includes white tailed deer, wild turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year.
Nearby Attractions
South Sandusky Beach Rend Lake Visitors Center Rend Lake Project Office
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$18 / night
10. Benton KOA
Benton, Illinois12 Reviews•5 Photos•8 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
Showing results 1-10 of 80 campgrounds
Recent RV Reviews In Rend Lake
557 Reviews of 80 Rend Lake Campgrounds
Johnson Creek
Nice!
This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toliets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping.
Hilltop Campground
Decent overnight stop
Hosts were friendly, but didn’t brief us on information such as where is the trash bin, what is the WiFi password. Restroom was old but relatively clean. There’s only one valve in the showers so all you get is lukewarm water. Not good on a cool or cold day. Some of the long term people have too many dogs, one had 6 little yippers, kind of annoying. And I’m not against dogs
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Wonderful campground
Right next to a huge reserve for fishing and boating. Campsites are very spaced out. We had 30 amp electric but no water on the campsite. Wasn't a problem for us we just filled our water tank. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Look forward to coming back
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground
Nice sites on Carlyle Lake- great host
Our site was on the shore and had good spacing from others. The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!
Dam East - Mcnair Campground
Location Great for Travel
McNair ACE: Tate 4 for cleanliness and stopover location for travels on nearby highway. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 Price 2024: $ 9w interagency pass Security: no Usage during visit: 1/3 Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: no Site Spacing: closer Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: Required Campground Noise: No Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: yes Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: yes Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Nice flush Showers: small private Cell Service (AT&T): 2-3 bars Setting: near lake Recent Weather: 80s Insects: no Host: yes Rig Size: large Sites: Outside sites are by far the best. 16,17,18 are favorites .
Dam East Recreation Area
GREAT LOCATION for STOPOVER
East Dam ACE, IL: Not an interesting view from here, but well maintained campground . Quiet.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 for cleanliness and location for travels on nearby highway. Spillway is not particularly pretty. Price 2024: $9 w interagency pass Security: No gate Usage during visit: 60% during the week Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: No Site Spacing: Good Pad surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required. Can be made upon arrival through rec.gov Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: No Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: At nearby ACE campground Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: In adjacent day use area Showers: No. Nearby - check w host. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: along Kaskasia River/ spillway Recent Weather: 80s Insects: no Host: yes Rig Size: large Sites: Some sites are along the spillway.
Pine Hills
Very nice
Very quiet and secluded. Campsites are roomy and some firewood is supplied.
Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area
Enjoyable time
Campground was quiet and well kept. Foliage was well trimmed. There was a spot from previous campers that needed cleaned up, but that's more of a reflection of the previous campers and less the camp ground, in my opinion, as it was not an overall theme.
Whittington Woods Campground
We stay every year on our way through
Great overnight stop. We make it our must stop spot. Super easy in and out. Trees and lovely grounds.
Turkey Bayou Campground
Empty
Nobody here. Bring a fishing pole. No services except a porta potty.
Hilltop Campground
Nice stop
Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate.
Washington County State Recreation Area
Nice stop
Easy to find. Affordable overnight stay with electric. Beautiful lake. Friendly campers and hosts. Pit toilets. Spotty Verizon.
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground
Great Community camp not too far off the highway
My sister and I stopped here on our way to wisconsin, We were surprised how lovely it was! Birds everywhere and the lake was so huge. The camp sites were big and many of them, the bathrooms were always clean and had AC!
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground
A beautiful little spot !
First off, a bang for you buck compared to some surrounding camp sites. They have PLENTY of sites, most with some view of the water. They have a boat launch, bathrooms, and showers. We stayed here 3 nights. The shores are quite rocky so it can be difficult to access the water just to swim. Overall, it was great. My only complaint is there is only one trash located in the beginning on the park & it was full, full, full!!!
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great place to camp!
We stayed 4 days and had a great time. The camp was clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly and helpful and was more than happy to offer places to visit in the area, places to eat and provide assistance as needed. The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk (twice around the lake from our site was 3 miles). :) We plan to visit again!
Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground
Great
We were on electric only. Wish we had known we could have gotten a senior discount. Very nice campground.
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Beautiful secluded location
We stayed for 1 night, had a spot in the back with a perfect view of the lake. Lots of room for dogs.
Benton KOA
Loud
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 Full video review on YouTube https://youtu.be/QpuNpA7UVZI
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Wonderful surprise
Arrived just after a terrible storm so parts of the park were closed for clean up. The parts that were open were all cleaned up, spacious sites, easy access, with fantastic hosts. An absolutely beautiful evening in gorgeous surroundings…we’ll be back and so glad we stumbled upon this place. Didn’t use the showers so can’t report on the facilities….
Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
Nice State Park Campground
We stayed here for the eclipse in April. No real issues. Kids had plenty of room to run around, hike and safely ride bikes around the campground. Showers and bathrooms were typical for a state park.
There were heavy storms the night before the eclipse and everyone in tents were completely soaked. The area around our site had really poor drainage. We had noisy neighbors that were up until at least 2 or 3 with zero regards for anyone else trying to sleep.
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great and clean!
Great little stop, everything is clean and a fresh shower was refreshing.
South Marcum Campground
Great Campground
Only $26 a night for full-hookups is amazing. Cell service for AT&T is marginal at 2 bars LTE. Only issue that I have is that site 49 is very hard to get level in, make sure that you bring extra leveling blocks if possible
Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Probably nice in a big rig, sucks otherwise
This campground was essentially an RV park. Only big rigs, some sites well spaced physically but no privacy in between so feels like everyone staring at each other. Some of the waterfront sites okay privacy-wise, but not most. Hookups work well, but bathrooms in terrible condition - especially showers.
The whole place also smells like dead fish. We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads.
The lake is at least really pretty and there’s a small beach area.
Archway RV Park
Great campground
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.
Oak Point Campground
Nice national park campground
Location is everything and this is well in the middle of a great area in Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the gods, Bell Smith springs, Ferne State park, and on and on. You can spend a week here and not see everything.
There are primitive and electric (with water) sites. There are no sites with sewer hookup. There is a dump station at the entrance.Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front. There are some lake front spots that can be had. Sites are first come and there are no reservations taken. During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy.
Large lake with swimming, fishing, kayaking. Also has a bike trail around it - maybe 2 miles.
Shower houses are kept clean, but as of this posting, they need some maintenance work.
All in all, this is a must stop if you want to enjoy what the area has to offer.
Gun Creek
Blue Jay #49 Water site
Love this state park! Clean, quiet, water views and lots of bike paths to ride.
Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Excellent Lakeside Campgrouind
Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale
Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must. This is new& when planning the trip the website said“first come first serve” so we arrived on a Friday evening(4pm) with no reservation. The sign said RV sites all taken. The host was wonderful! He has been here 9 years and steered us to a nice site for the one night we will be here. The online experience with recreation.gov was not pleasant, impossible in fact. So I had to call. This took quite awhile. Once I got a real live person it was great, and we got our site with no problems.
Amenities: Bathrooms: clean, paper towels& air dryers.
Site: A-35. In the middle of the A loop and therefore not on the water. Still, very nice. After all, beggars can’t be choosers! Sites are somewhat spacious, but not terribly private.
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
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Rend Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Rend Lake is Archway RV Park with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Rend Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 RV camping locations near Rend Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.