Overview

Gun Creek Campground is located on the 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.

Facilities

Gun Creek Campground offers 98 reservable campsites equipped with electric hookups, a picnic table, and a firepit. 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 Nighthawk and Eagle camping loops.

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 our known crappie population.

Recreation

Gun Creek Campground is conveniently located near the Gun Creek Day Use Area, which includes a boat ramp and a reservable picnic shelter. The area offers abundant opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and general outdoor exploration. Additional recreation features around Rend Lake include the Rend Lake Bike Trail, 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).

Nearby Attractions

Rend Lake Golf Complex, which includes a 27-hole golf course, restaurant, and lodge.

Rend Lake Shooting Complex

Rend Lake Archery Complex

Rend Lake Mountain Bike Trail

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

North Marcum Day Use (Beach and Boat Ramp)

Important Notices

• 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 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.

Available Activities

• Fishing - Fishing
• Camping - Camping
• Boating - Boating
• Biking - Biking
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Birding - Birding
• Day Use Area - Day Use Area
• Water Access - Water Access

Directions

From I-57 take exit 77 and turn west on Route 154. Turn left onto Gun Creek Trail/Larry Foster Parkway, then right onto Golf Course Road. Continue 1/2 mile to park entrance.

Contact Information

Phone: 618-724-2493

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip