South Sandusky Day Use Campground
Rend Lake, Illinois
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As of October 2026, South Sandusky Day Use Campground is a campground in Illinois with 2 campsites. South Sandusky Day Use Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks South Sandusky Day Use Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- South Sandusky Day Use Campground is located at 38.0530° N, 88.9923° W.
- people allowed on each site
- 50
South Sandusky Day Use Campground reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Stay and booking rules
- Maximum stay: 14 nights
- Military discount available
Published by Recreation.gov for South Sandusky Day Use Campground, read on September 30, 2026.
Campsites at South Sandusky Day Use Campground
- Group 2
- Hookups 2
Amenities
- restrooms
- showers
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Lake · Access: Paved road.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, wildlife, photography.
All sites at South Sandusky Day Use Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the South Sandusky Beach loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Group | 50 | Electric |
| 2 | Group | 50 | Electric |
About South Sandusky Day Use Campground
Overview
South Sandusky Day Use Area— 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 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
South Sandusky Day Use Area features two large reservable picnic shelters (capacity 50 per shelter) with picnic tables, grill, and drinking water. The area has a boat ramp and playground all within walking distance. South Sandusky Day Use Area also has two restroom facilities and a shower facility.
Natural Features
South Sandusky Day Use Area sits along the banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. The South Sandusky Day Use Area offers the most accessible public swimming beach on the lake. The sandy beach is spacious enough to accommodate a large number of people and provides visitors with convenient access to the refreshing waters of Rend Lake.
Wildlife in the area includes white tailed deer, wild turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year.
Nearby Attractions
Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center
Rend Lake Bike Trail
Rend Lake Marina
Rend Lake Dog Park
Blackberry Nature Trail
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493.
Rules and notices at South Sandusky Day Use Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check South Sandusky Day Use Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
Shelter reservation holders will receive 25 parking passes as a part of their reservation. They will be located in the drop box on the shelter sign and can be accessed by entering the last four digits of the reservation number, excluding the -1 or -2. Please lock the box back once the parking passes have been retrieved. Contact Rend Lake Project Office at 618-724-2493 if you have any questions.
Daily fees apply for boat ramp and/or beach use.
No pets or alcohol allowed at shelter, picnic area, or beach.
This is a day use facility. Camping is prohibited at this location.
Off-road vehicle use must have prior approval.
Shelter reservations require a primary occupant to be 18 years of age or older and to be present during use.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
See Park Information Guide for additional rules and regulations.
South Sandusky Day Use Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at South Sandusky Day Use Campground?
South Sandusky Day Use Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at South Sandusky Day Use Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at South Sandusky Day Use Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does South Sandusky Day Use Campground have?
South Sandusky Day Use Campground has 2 campsites.
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