Gun Creek
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Whittington · Illinois · Rend Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Rend Lake |
| Location | Whittington · Illinois · Rend Lake · 38.07861, -88.93028 · Map |
| Sites | 101 public sites counted from the federal listing — 100 standard electric; 1 group shelter electric |
| 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 100 of 101 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 27 of 101 sites Sewer hookups at 26 of 101 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 26 of 101 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 99 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 101 sites · 30 ft: 100 sites · 35 ft: 100 sites · 40 ft: 100 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 05:00 PM · Out 4:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 101 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 6 marked accessible in the listing |
| 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 2026-05-09.
From the official listing
Overview Gun Creek Campground is located on the eastern shore of Rend Lake— 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 Gun Creek Campground is conveniently located near the Gun Creek Day Use Area, which includes a boat ramp and a reservable picnic shelter. The area offers abundant opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and general outdoor exploration. Additional recreation features around Rend Lake include the Rend Lake Bike Trail, 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 Gun Creek Campground offers 98 reservable campsites equipped with electric hookups, a picnic table, and a firepit. The campground offers a dump station, hot showers, flush toilets, and drinking water to provide a comfortable camping experience for guests. A playground is also conveniently located within the Nighthawk and Eagle camping loops.
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 our known crappie population.
Nearby Attractions Rend Lake Golf Complex, which includes a 27-hole golf course, restaurant, and lodge.
Rend Lake Shooting Complex
Rend Lake Archery Complex
Rend Lake Mountain Bike Trail
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park
North Marcum Day Use (Beach and Boat Ramp)
Directions, from the listing
From I-57 take exit 77 and turn west on Route 154. Turn left onto Gun Creek Trail/Larry Foster Parkway, then right onto Golf Course Road. Continue 1/2 mile to park entrance.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · BENTON IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDale Miller Youth
3 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Marcum Day Use
3 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSpillway Group Area
3 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Marcum Campground
3 mi straight-line · Benton Illinois
Trip Card — Gun Creek
Whittington · Illinois · Rend Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Whittington · Illinois · Rend Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 100 · full hookups at 26 |
| Max RV | Up to 99 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 101 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233504 · 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.