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South Sandusky Campground
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — SESSER · Illinois · Rend Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Rend Lake |
| Location | SESSER · Illinois · Rend Lake · 38.03240, -89.00428 · Map |
| Sites | 127 public sites counted from the federal listing — 119 standard electric; 8 walk to |
| 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 120 of 127 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 89 of 127 sites Sewer hookups at 66 of 127 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 66 of 127 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: 120 sites · 30 ft: 120 sites · 35 ft: 120 sites · 40 ft: 120 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 128 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 South Sandusky Campground is located on the western shore of Rend Lake near the Sandusky cove— 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 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 Sandusky Campground offers 124 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. Playgrounds are also conveniently located within the Redbud, Pine Tree, and Sycamore 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 the known crappie population.
Nearby Attractions South Sandusky Beach
Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center
Blackberry Nature Trail
Rend Lake Dog Park
Rend Lake Marina
Directions, from the listing
From I-57 take exit 71 and turn west onto Route 14. After 3 miles turn right on Rend City Road, then continue for 6 miles to the campground entrance on the right.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Sesser IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam West Area (Day-Use)
1 mi straight-line · BENTON IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Sandusky Day Use
2 mi straight-line · SESSER IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Sandusky Day-Use
2 mi straight-line · BENTON IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Sandusky Campground
3 mi straight-line · Sesser Illinois
Trip Card — South Sandusky Campground
SESSER · Illinois · Rend Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | SESSER · Illinois · Rend Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 120 · full hookups at 66 |
| Max RV | Up to 99 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 127 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233613 · 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.