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 …
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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493. Nearby Attractions Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor CenterRend Lake Bike TrailRend Lake MarinaRend Lake Dog ParkBlackberry Nature Trail
Photos
Sandusky Cove Kayak Trail — USACE, Rend Lake Project OfficeA view of the South Sandusky Beach — USACE, Rend Lake Project Office
How to Get There
From I-57 take take exit 71 and turn west onto Route 14. Continue for 3 miles, then turn north on Rend City Road. The entrance is on the right after about 5 miles, just past the Rend Lake Dam.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE
Heading to SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE?
No central reservation system listed for SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233614) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE?
SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE has 2 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to SOUTH SANDUSKY DAY USE?
From I-57 take take exit 71 and turn west onto Route 14. Continue for 3 miles, then turn north on Rend City Road. The entrance is on the right after about 5 miles, just past the Rend Lake Dam.
