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South Marcum Campground
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 · 38.03384, -88.94016 · Map |
| Sites | 160 public sites counted from the federal listing — 140 standard electric; 14 walk to; 6 rv 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 146 of 160 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 51 of 160 sites Sewer hookups at 46 of 160 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 46 of 160 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 94 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 146 sites · 30 ft: 146 sites · 35 ft: 144 sites · 40 ft: 137 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 04:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 160 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 6 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Water spigots |
| 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 South Marcum Campground is located on the south-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 South Marcum Campground is conveniently located near the South Marcum Day Use Area, which includes a boat ramp and a reservable picnic shelter. Within the campground, 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 South Marcum Campground offers 158 reservable campsites each equipped with a picnic table and a firepit. Electric hookups are provided at all sites, excluding tent sites. 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 Whispering Pines camping loop near the shower house.
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.
Nearby Attractions Rend Lake Spillway Recreation Area
Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center
Rend Lake Bike Trail
Directions, from the listing
From I-57 take exit 71 and turn west onto Highway 14. After 3 miles turn right on Rend City Road, then right on Rend Lake Dam Rd. Continue 3 miles to the park entrance on the left.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Marcum Day Use
0 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSpillway Group Area
1 mi straight-line · Benton IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Marcum Day Use Area
1 mi straight-line · BENTON IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam West Area (Day-Use)
3 mi straight-line · BENTON Illinois
Trip Card — South Marcum Campground
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 146 · full hookups at 46 |
| Max RV | Up to 94 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 160 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233611 · 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.