Vincent S.
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RangerTrail of Tears State Forest
Remove from free dispersed. $8 a night. Not free.
Camping near Whittington, IL
2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Whittington, Illinois serves as a gateway to several established campgrounds around Rend Lake, one of southern Illinois' largest bodies of water. The area features diverse camping options including Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground within city limits and nearby South Marcum Campground, Gun Creek, and South Sandusky Campground. Most facilities accommodate multiple camping styles with RV hookups, tent sites, and cabin rentals available. Whittington Woods Campground offers year-round access specifically for RVs and cabin campers, while other campgrounds in the region typically operate seasonally from March through November, providing varied terrain from lakefront to wooded settings.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the Whittington area, with most facilities closing during winter months. The majority of campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer when waterfront sites fill quickly. Electric hookups are standard at most locations, though amenities vary between campgrounds - some offer full hookup sites with water and sewer connections while others provide more basic facilities. The terrain is generally accessible with many campgrounds featuring big-rig friendly sites and paved pads. Cell service is reliable throughout most of the region. A camper noted, "This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake. With hundreds of sites to choose from with some being tucked into the woods and others sitting right on the lake."
Lakefront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Whittington area, with several campgrounds offering direct water access for fishing, swimming, and boating. South Marcum and South Sandusky campgrounds receive particularly high ratings for their proximity to Rend Lake. Bathroom and shower facilities are generally well-maintained, though quality varies by location. Several visitors mentioned the abundance of shade trees as a positive feature during hot summer months. The region provides good opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation beyond camping. According to one review, "North and South Sandusky campground is located in southern Illinois on Rend Lake. It is a large state park with tons to do. From boating and swimming to hiking and relaxing." Playgrounds and recreational areas for children are available at many of the campgrounds, making the area suitable for family camping trips.
Best Campgrounds near Whittington (108)
1. Gun Creek
"Rend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground."
"This is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92."
8 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
2. South Marcum Campground
"This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."
"They're very close to the Illinois state fair grounds. There are tent sites as well as RV sites that are very close to the lake."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $44 / night
3. South Sandusky Campground
"North and South Sandusky campground is located in southern Illinois on Rend Lake. It is a large state park with tons to do. From boating and swimming to hiking and relaxing."
"Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $28 / night
4. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
"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
"We had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area."
"Short drive to Rend Lake, bike trails, kayaks, fishing. Also, a fun winery about 1 mile north! I do recommend this campground!"
6. Benton KOA
"There are mature trees around the seven pull-through sites across the road from the main campground, but Starlink should work in most of them if you're able to position the dish around the trees."
"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."
7. Rend Lake
"Hundreds of campsites, marinas with boat rentals, beaches and stores nearby in case you need something. This area is truly a southern Illinois gem!"
"Large spacious sites, close to swimming beaches, although not walking distance. Tree covered and offer some privacy. Great place to meet with family and friends."
8. North Sandusky Campground
"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."
"has a great view of the lake from almost every camp site. close to southern IL. great leasure campsite to take the kids"
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $28 / night
9. COE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area
"Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees."
"We have had deer playing on an adjacent site to us. Fun place to camp with family and friends. Never want to leave."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
10. Archway RV Park
"Long first day drive, but so handy and staff couldn’t be more accommodating to our late arrivals. Just far enough from Interstate so noise isn’t an issue. Lots of services at the same exit."
"This is primarily a RV park near I-64 and on a highway. Noisy!! Bad noisy. Camp site was nice. Grassy, level, near a picnic shelter with tables. Shade trees. But only about 2-3 such sites."
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $75 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 6 min from Paducah, KY
- 1 hr 18 min from St. Louis, MO
- 1 hr 23 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
- 1 hr 31 min from Evansville, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Whittington, IL
127 Photos of 108 Whittington Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Gun Creek
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
Rend LakeA
South Sandusky Campground
Archway RV Park
Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Rend Lake Gun Creek CampgroundM
Harmony Hill AcresK
Little Grassy Lake - Crab Orchard NWRS
Little Grassy Lake Campground
Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point
Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Whittington, IL
725 Reviews of 108 Whittington Campgrounds
- WWendy
TravelerGun Creek
This is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
- Ronald C.
GuideGun Creek
Great place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
- MickandKarla W.
LegendWhittington Woods Campground
Decent Campground
We had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area. At a recent RV open house, we talked with the campground (CG) owners and decided to switch our reservation from another private CG to Whittington Woods to check it out. The owners suggested sites 92 or 97, and we were able to reserve back-in site 92 with FHUs for our two-night stay. Site 92 is one of the better sites, with a large yard and good separation from neighboring sites. The CG was easy to find off I-57—follow your GPS or the signs. Check-in was quick, and we were escorted to our site. Unfortunately, one of the CG’s regular guests had set up in our reserved site 92 instead of site 93. After a brief discussion between our owner/escort and the guest, moving him was clearly not going to be a quick process. We were offered a couple of other available sites and decided to take site 93. Site 93 was a significant downgrade, with only a sliver of yard and very little separation from site 94. The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94. The water connection is at the very back, requiring more than 30 feet of hose for our rig. The owners were very nice, probably too nice when dealing with their“regulars,” and made the situation more tolerable by giving us a good discount for site 93. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We normally get good performance from our T-Mobile internet with two bars, but download speed was only 41.2 Mbps. The CG Wi-Fi was better at 69.3 Mbps download. There are a lot of mature trees, so satellite/Starlink reception could be iffy depending on the site. The CG is conveniently located near I-57 and right off IL-37, although there was quite a bit of highway noise that was manageable for us. The property provides plenty of room for walking, especially with a dog, and has a decent-sized dog park. There are quite a few full-timers and regulars, with some keeping their sites well maintained and others not so much. We also saw some of the same latitude given to“regulars” when it came to keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after them. They have 5 pull throughs that are mainly used for overnighters that are handy but close together. We understand why several of our friends regularly stay here for a night or two while traveling to and from Florida. Whittington Woods is conveniently located off I-57 and offers FHUs, making the CG a practical overnight stop. Our home base is only about an hour and a half away, however, and we have better options in the area when we need a final stop to flush tanks before heading home.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday
Different than Most KOA Holidays
We were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
- Ronald C.Guide
South Marcum Campground
Large site
Great campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
Scott M.GuideCOE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area
Excellent campground
What started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
Randy H.
ScoutGun Creek
Great Digs
Rend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
- DDrew B.Guide
Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
Nice & quiet primitive site. Great views.
Very small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
Guide to Whittington
The Rend Lake area surrounding Whittington, Illinois sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level, with terrain that varies from flat lakeside areas to gently rolling wooded hills. The region receives about 45 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush vegetation throughout the camping areas. Most camping spots near Whittington remain accessible from March through November, with partial closures during winter months when temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Biking along lakeside trails: North Sandusky Campground features paved bike trails throughout the area. "Paved bike trails run throughout the area. We've been coming here for years, and this campground remains one of our favorites close to home," notes a visitor at South Sandusky Campground.
Fishing from your campsite: Many sites offer direct water access for immediate fishing opportunities. "Sites are close to the water so you can fish or boat right from your campsite. There is a boat dock, boat ramp, playground, and disk golf course," mentions a camper at COE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports abundant local wildlife observation opportunities. "Beautiful and spacious camp sights in a quiet environment. We have had deer playing on an adjacent site to us. Fun place to camp with family and friends," reports a visitor at North Sandusky Rend Lake.
What campers like
Well-spaced, level sites: Gun Creek offers properly prepared camping spots. "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," notes a reviewer.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. "The shower house and rest rooms were clean and well-kept. There's a biking trail the we also used as a walking trail. Beautiful scenery along the way," reports a North Sandusky visitor.
Wooded settings with shade: Whittington Woods Campground provides mature tree cover. "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. Short drive to Rend Lake, bike trails, kayaks, fishing."
What you should know
Site levelness varies considerably: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. "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," warns a Gun Creek visitor.
Highway noise at certain locations: Benton KOA sits close to major roads. "Yes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs. That said, excellent staff, clean, professional KOA," notes a camper.
Reservation system complexities: Getting a spot can require advance planning. "The stay was pleasant and the lake was very nice but the reservation system and finding a spot was overly complicated for a first timer. Basically people show up and throw a cooler or tent onto a site to claim it and then leave," explains a Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "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!" shares a visitor at South Sandusky Campground.
Beach swimming options: Family-friendly water access points exist throughout the area. "South Sandusky campground is a Corps of Engineers campground on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. There is a dump station, flush toilets, showers, a sand beach, boat ramp, 2 picnic shelters, a paved bike trail, and playgrounds."
Wildlife education opportunities: Kids can observe natural habitats. "Never been to a CG with such abundant wildlife! Can sit at your spot and watch deer throughout the day. Spots are first come first serve but seldom sell out. Get there on Wednesday to get a spot on the water!" advises a Wayne Fitzgerrell visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations matter: South Marcum Campground provides various utility setups. "Great campground.. 50 amp service, some with water and some with Full hookup... Dump stations are EZ access on the way out..... Bathrooms were clean, loved Rend Lake," notes an RVer.
Site selection for size compatibility: Check site dimensions before booking. "Nice sites, 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," advises an Archway RV Park visitor.
Mid-week arrival recommended: Competition for prime spots increases on weekends. "Most sites here offer water and electric (50/30/20 AMP), while the Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section. Note that the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Whittington, IL?
What camping is available near Whittington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Whittington, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Whittington, IL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Whittington, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Whittington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Whittington, IL is Gun Creek with a 4.7-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Whittington, IL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Whittington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Whittington, IL.
What parks are near Whittington, IL?
What parks are near Whittington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Whittington, IL that allow camping, notably Rend Lake and Shawnee National Forest.
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