South Sandusky Campground

Rend Lake — lakeside, fishing

Location: Benton, IL, IL

Price: From $16 per night

Price range: $16–$26 per night

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (866 reviews)

Season: May through October

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.The fields, forests, and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonde

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Fishing

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/south-sandusky-campground to be notified when sites open up.

South Sandusky Campground offers 127 sites on the western shore of Rend Lake with access to over 20 miles of bike trails and diverse recreational activities including boating, fishing, and swimming. Google reviews average 4.7/5 stars, with campers praising the large quiet spots, fire pits, picnic tables, and friendly staff.

Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Mergansers, White-tailed Deer, Spiny Softshell turtles, and Midland Watersnakes documented in the area.

Insider tips for South Sandusky Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground Request a full hookup site if available; most sites lack water/sewer hookups Visit during peak season for all amenities and activities to be fully operational

Skip South Sandusky Campground if: You need full hookups at your site — electric hookups only on select sites, no water/sewer at most sites. You plan to camp outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You prefer level camping — some sites reported as not flat with drainage issues in rain.

Best time to visit South Sandusky Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.

Nearby campgrounds: Shagbark Group Area (Benton, IL), Dam West Area (Day-Use) (BENTON, IL), South Sandusky Day Use (Benton, IL), North Sandusky Day-Use (BENTON, IL).