Available sites
159 total sites
RV Sites
Tent Sites
About South Marcum Campground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Showers
Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
On Site Services
- Playground
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
159 Sites Available
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Site Details
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159 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (1358)
What Guests Are Saying
South Marcum Campground is praised for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds and spacious, shaded sites, making it a serene and enjoyable place to camp. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, including showers and restrooms, and the proximity to outdoor activities like biking and fishing. While some guests experienced issues with site leveling and internet access, overall, the campground is highly regarded, with many expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
South Marcum Campground is praised for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds and spacious, shaded sites, making it a serene and enjoyable place to camp. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, including showers and restrooms, and the proximity to outdoor activities like biking and fishing. While some guests experienced issues with site leveling and internet access, overall, the campground is highly regarded, with many expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
Jeff T
VerifiedOctober 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 116, Loop: CPOI
We always love camping here. The drive for us is about 4 hours and we have always made an effort to visit Rend Lake at least once in our camping season. The sites are always well taken care of and the bathroom/shower facilities are always cleaned everyday. The bicycle trails, which are concrete, around the lake and Dam are always the high point for exploring the area and getting some easy exercise. The volunteer staff have always been friendly and helpful.
R Winston S
VerifiedOctober 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 087, Loop: CPOI
We arrived Thursday evening and found a site that was available for only Thursday night. We wanted to stay 2 nights. The campground host/keeper-of-the-gate said we could sign up for another site for Friday night - - that there was no penalty for making multiple sign-ups. Friday morning we attempted to sign up for an available site on-line and the software would not allow us to sign up for a single night. We then spoke again with the host who acknowledged 'this rule' and declared there was nothing she could do. It is sad that she did not alert us to this Thursday as there were other sites we could have chosen for two nights. But more importantly, why do you impose such arbitrary rules? Why force campers to purchase that which they cannot use or, as in our case, force us out of the park although there were sites available? Frankly this seems like a ploy some sleazy commercial operation might invoke and is unfitting for the US Government and the Army Corp.
Jeff T
VerifiedOctober 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 116, Loop: CPOI
We always love camping here. The drive for us is about 4 hours and we have always made an effort to visit Rend Lake at least once in our camping season. The sites are always well taken care of and the bathroom/shower facilities are always cleaned everyday. The bicycle trails, which are concrete, around the lake and Dam are always the high point for exploring the area and getting some easy exercise. The volunteer staff have always been friendly and helpful.
R Winston S
VerifiedOctober 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 087, Loop: CPOI
We arrived Thursday evening and found a site that was available for only Thursday night. We wanted to stay 2 nights. The campground host/keeper-of-the-gate said we could sign up for another site for Friday night - - that there was no penalty for making multiple sign-ups. Friday morning we attempted to sign up for an available site on-line and the software would not allow us to sign up for a single night. We then spoke again with the host who acknowledged 'this rule' and declared there was nothing she could do. It is sad that she did not alert us to this Thursday as there were other sites we could have chosen for two nights. But more importantly, why do you impose such arbitrary rules? Why force campers to purchase that which they cannot use or, as in our case, force us out of the park although there were sites available? Frankly this seems like a ploy some sleazy commercial operation might invoke and is unfitting for the US Government and the Army Corp.
Rex S
VerifiedOctober 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 079, Loop: CPOI
Sunrises and sunsets with blasts of color. Starlit nights and yellow campfires. Eagles, hawks, osprey, white pelicans, egrets all in their magnificent glory. We love south marcum. Nice bathrooms, large wooded lots, pleasant hosts, with nearby Benton with shopping. Bring binoculars and a hammock.
Rex S
VerifiedOctober 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 079, Loop: CPOI
Sunrises and sunsets with blasts of color. Starlit nights and yellow campfires. Eagles, hawks, osprey, white pelicans, egrets all in their magnificent glory. We love south marcum. Nice bathrooms, large wooded lots, pleasant hosts, with nearby Benton with shopping. Bring binoculars and a hammock.
Janis S
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 084, Loop: CPOI
There was 101 geo- cache class offered free at visitors center...I joined several other families and got started at corp of engineers sites with pirate theme /cache...lots of cache to explore...all ages!
Connor W
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: T-14, Loop: WTES
Love camping out here. We came about the same time last year and it was just as perfect as ever. We will be coming back sometime soon!
Jody B
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: T-06, Loop: WTES
Very easy check in with friendly staff. Facilities were kept very clean. The walk in sites all have a great view of the lake and are in very easy walking distance to the ample parking area.
Janis S
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 084, Loop: CPOI
There was 101 geo- cache class offered free at visitors center...I joined several other families and got started at corp of engineers sites with pirate theme /cache...lots of cache to explore...all ages!
Location & Directions for South Marcum Campground
South Marcum Campground, Benton, IL 62812 United States
Elevation: 134 ft
Getting There
From I-57 take exit 71 and turn west onto Highway 14. After 3 mi turn right on Rend City Road, then right on Rend Lake Dam Rd. Continue 3 mi to the park entrance on the left.
Highway access
South Marcum Campground is accessible from I-57 via exit 71, then west on Highway 14. The campground is located approximately 3 miles from the highway exit.
Policies & Rules
General
- All campers MUST register/ check-in with gate attendant upon arrival to receive site and vehicle tags.
- Camping equipment is required to be placed on the campsite; one camper with a maximum of three tents OR a maximum of four tents per site are permitted. Sites may NOT be reserved for parking of vehicles.
- See Park Information Guide for additional rules and regulations.
- 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 19, 2026
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