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Spillway Group 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 · 38.03783, -88.95392 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group picnic area |
| 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 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 1 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 | 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) |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Drinking water |
| 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 Spillway Recreation Area— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature with the best sunsets of Southern Illinois. 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!
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 Spillway Group Area offers 10 acres for company picnics, weddings, church gatherings, family reunions and many other outdoor events. The area includes a large shelter (250 capacity) with electricity and overhead lighting, an amphitheater (250 capacity), and a small gazebo (30 capacity), a swingset, and direct access to the Rend Lake Bike Trail. The area also offers picnic tables, flush toilets, and drinking water in order to provide a comfortable experience for guests. 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 Project Office/ Visitor Center
Rend Lake Bike Trail
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493.
Directions, from the listing
From I-57: Take take exit 71 and turn west onto Highway 14. After 3 miles turn right on Rend City Road, then right on Rend Lake Dam Road. Continue 3 miles to the park entrance on the left.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 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 EngineersNorth Marcum Day Use Area
1 mi straight-line · BENTON IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam West Area (Day-Use)
2 mi straight-line · BENTON Illinois
Trip Card — Spillway Group 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 1 |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233370 · 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.