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North Marcum Day Use Area
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 · 38.05244, -88.95160 · Map |
| Sites | 2 public sites counted from the federal listing — 2 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 2 of 2 sites (up to 30 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 2 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 2 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 2 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 | Not reported in the federal data |
| 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 2 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 2026-07-30.
From the official listing
Overview North Marcum 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 North Marcum Day Use Area features two large picnic shelters with tables, grills, and drinking water. The shelters can accommodate up to 75 guests each. Additionally, the area has a boat ramp, playground, swimming beach, and dock all within walking distance. The beach offers areas for swimmers and pet lovers alike. There is also a designated area that is dog friendly, allowing swimmers and their dogs to enjoy the beach together!
Natural Features North Marcum Day Use Area sits along the banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. Plenty of shade and a swimming beach make this day use area desirable. 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.
Nearby Attractions Rend Lake Bike Trail
Rend Lake Mountain Bike Trail
North Marcum Archery Complex
Rend Lake Golf Complex featuring 27-holes, a lodge, and restaurant
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493.
Directions, from the listing
From I-57 exit 77- go west on IL Route 154 for .25 miles. Turn left onto Gun Creek Trail. Go south 3 miles to Marcum Branch Road. Turn right on Marcum Branch Road. Go 1.5 miles to park entrance.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Marcum Day Use
1 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDale Miller Youth
1 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Marcum Campground
1 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam West Area (Day-Use)
2 mi straight-line · BENTON Illinois
Trip Card — North Marcum Day Use Area
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 2 |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 2 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233558 · 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.