South Marcum Campground

Rend Lake Project Office, 11981 Rend City Rd
Benton, IL 62812

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

Camp site features

Across 160 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 146 of 160 sites
Water hookups: 51 of 160 sites
Sewer hookups: 46 of 160 sites
Fire pit: all 160 sites
Picnic table: 159 of 160 sites
Pets allowed: all 160 sites
ADA accessible: 6 of 160 sites
Longest RV: 94 ft
Largest party: 8 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: FIFTH WHEEL, Hammock, LARGE TENT OVER 9X12`, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, SMALL TENT, Tent, Trailer

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 5 PM, check out by 4 PM.

Reviews

865 reviews

5 stars

569

4 stars

207

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Allan S

Loop:Wpin

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Clean campground with nice space between sites. Some sites are not as level. We were fortunate that ours was.

jeffrey d

Loop:Cpoi

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Dusty W

Loop:Brid

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Great place to camp

Sherry G

Loop:Cpoi

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

A perfect place to camp

Denise G

Loop:Cpoi

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Beautiful and well managed.

Danny R

Loop:Wpin

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

South Marcum is such a beautiful place. The sites were spacious and Level! The bathrooms were clean and well maintained! We stayed just one night and would have loved to stay another but we had to move on. A great place for bicycling and strolling. Located on the eastern edge of the lake so the sunset was beautiful over the lake!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve