Army Corps of Engineers · Illinois
South Marcum Campground
Army Corps of Engineers · Illinois, United States
- Sites
- 160
- Hookups
- 146 electric, 51 with water
- Season
- March 27 to November 8
- Max RV length
- 76 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 453 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Rend Lake
- Nearest town
- Benton
- Address
- Rend Lake Project Office, Benton, IL, 62812
- Phone
- 618-724-2493
- Activities
- Biking, Birding, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Swimming, Water Access
160 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 27° | 5° | 68° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 47° | 30° | 1° | 72° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 40° | 18° | 80° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 68° | 50° | 31° | 85° | 1 of 11 |
| May | 80° | 63° | 46° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 87° | 69° | 56° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 73° | 66° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 86° | 71° | 64° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 84° | 67° | 53° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 51° | 36° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 56° | 40° | 17° | 75° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 47° | 32° | 8° | 66° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
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- North Sandusky Campground · Army Corps of Engineers · 4 mi · 118 sites
All public campgrounds in Illinois · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-09. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.