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Dam West Area (Day-Use)
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — BENTON · Illinois · Rend Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Rend Lake |
| Location | BENTON · Illinois · Rend Lake · 38.03917, -88.98583 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group shelter nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 1 of 1 sites (up to 30 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 56 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 1 sites · 30 ft: 1 sites · 35 ft: 1 sites · 40 ft: 1 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 8:00 AM · Out 10:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 618-724-2493 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-07-29.
From the official listing
Overview Dam West Day Use Area— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. 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 Within the area, visitors can access the Rend Lake Bike Trail—over 20 miles of paved pathways that guide riders through scenic woodlands and across views of Rend Lake and the Big Muddy River. The area offers abundant opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and general outdoor exploration. Additional recreation features around Rend Lake include an archery complex with a 3D trail and elevated shooting platform, a dog park with a swimming feature, and two public swimming beaches (including the pet-friendly North Marcum Beach).
Facilities Dam West Day Use Area features a large picnic shelter with tables, grills, and drinking water. The shelter can accommodate up to 100 guests, and the area has a boat ramp, playground, marina, and dock all within walking distance. Natural Features The fields, forests, and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Woodland areas are made up of hickory, oak, and beautiful maples providing habitat to white-tail deer, turkeys, racoons, and many more native species. The shorelines are an excellent viewing area for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bank fishing the known crappie population.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493. Nearby Attractions Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center is conveniently located across the street from the Dam West Day Use Area.
Rend Lake Marina
Rend Lake Spillway Recreation Area
Rend Lake Dog Park
Blackberry Nature Trail
Rend Lake Bike Trail
South Sandusky Beach
Directions, from the listing
From I-57 take take exit 71 and turn west onto Route 14. Continue for 3 miles, then turn north on Rend City Road. The entrance is on the right after about 4 miles, just past the main dam.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Sesser IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Sandusky Day Use
1 mi straight-line · SESSER IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Sandusky Campground
1 mi straight-line · SESSER IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSpillway Group Area
2 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Sandusky Day-Use
2 mi straight-line · BENTON Illinois
Trip Card — Dam West Area (Day-Use)
BENTON · Illinois · Rend Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | BENTON · Illinois · Rend Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 1 |
| Max RV | Up to 56 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233482 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.