Corps of Engineers campgrounds define the camping landscape near Sesser, Illinois, with most sites operating from March through November. Rend Lake spans 19,900 acres with 162 miles of shoreline, providing the backdrop for camping options that range from waterfront RV sites with full hookups to basic tent sites under mature oak trees. Many campgrounds feature fishing docks, boat ramps, and direct lake access with varying levels of privacy between sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Gun Creek Campground offers excellent fishing access with sites positioned right on Rend Lake. "Great rates and even better campsites. We got there late and had no problems finding a great campsite right next to the lake," notes Jonathan W., who enjoyed the convenient water access.
Disc golf course: North Sandusky Recreation Area features a disc golf course alongside its boat dock and boat ramp. Joel R. points out that "there is a boat dock, boat ramp, playground, and disk golf course" making it a versatile destination for various outdoor activities.
Biking trails: South Marcum Campground connects to paved bike trails that circle portions of Rend Lake. Joel R. mentions the campground is "on Rend Lake with swimming, fishing and boating," while also noting "there is a dump station, hot showers, flush toilets, and drinking water" available for campers.
Wildlife viewing: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "Never been to a CG with such abundant wildlife! Can sit at your spot and watch deer throughout the day," writes Lucas T., highlighting the natural setting.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Gun Creek receives consistent praise for well-designed sites. "Nice, large, well thought out campground. Lots of trees, paved sites, bathrooms, showers, and well maintained. Offers full hookups, partial or none," reports Moe F.
Lake views: North Sandusky Campground earns high marks for its premium lake views. "This campground has a great view of the lake. It's well-kept and the site has nice spacing in between. The shower house and rest rooms were clean and well-kept," explains Phil W., who appreciated the maintained facilities.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained facilities at South Sandusky Campground. "All brand new. They have redone this whole place, really nice, very clean," states Jim L., noting recent renovations that have improved the overall camping experience.
Shaded campsites: Whittington Woods Campground provides ample shade for summer camping. "Beautiful campground with mature trees providing lots of shade on the 100F weekend we were there. Gravel sites, level. A lot of common ground, shaded, picnic shelters," shares Jan S.
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds near Sesser have varying levels of highway noise. At Benton KOA, one camper notes: "Very convenient off the interstate, but also noisy due to the interstate being right there. Small park, quite a few permanent residents."
Site leveling challenges: Site leveling varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. At Gun Creek, Jeff F. notes: "What a beautiful campground, it's our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them." Similarly at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, Kennon H. advises: "Many sites are very off level. CHECK carefully."
Reservation systems: Wayne Fitzgerrell uses a hybrid reservation system that can be confusing for first-time visitors. Blake M. explains: "People show up and throw a cooler or tent onto a site to claim it and then leave. They have to pay for the spot by 8pm... if they don't pay they have to leave by 9am the next morning."
Seasonal considerations: Most Sesser area campgrounds have specific operating seasons. South Sandusky and South Marcum both operate from late March to early November, while Whittington Woods and Benton KOA remain open year-round for campers needing winter accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: South Sandusky Campground offers a dedicated swimming beach near the campground. "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!" reports Missy D.
Kid-friendly amenities: Gun Creek includes playgrounds and family-focused amenities. "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," writes Never Sitting S.
Water safety: The shoreline at Rend Lake can have exposed tree roots and erosion areas. Annie C. observed at Gun Creek: "It was pretty neat to look at the exposed roots of trees along the shore, erosion at work," but this requires supervision with young children.
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be abundant during summer months 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., highlighting the importance of bringing insect repellent.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: South Marcum Campground receives praise for its RV-friendly layout. "The sites are set up to provide some privacy, and are not right on top of each other. Most sites are level. Some are pull-through," notes Joel R., emphasizing the importance of checking site details when booking.
Utility placement: Check utility placement when selecting sites, as connections aren't standardized across all campgrounds. At Archway RV Park, James N. advises: "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."
Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide dump stations at convenient locations. At North Sandusky, Joel R. notes sites have "water and sewer, and a picnic table," while Kent F. adds that at South Marcum, "Dump stations are EZ access on the way out."
Backing considerations: Some campgrounds require precise backing skills. MickandKarla W. note that at South Sandusky, "the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad."
