Gun Creek

Campground · Illinois · 101 bookable sites ·

Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers

Golf Course · Open Access

101
Bookable sites
99 ft
Max rig length
up to 50
People per site
6
Accessible sites
437 ft
Elevation
Eagle Loop
Photo: USACE · Recreation.gov

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.

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).

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.

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)

The facts

  • 101 bookable sites
  • 1 site for day use only
  • 6 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 99 ft
  • Up to 50 people per site
  • Loops: BLUE, CARD, EAGL, GUN CREEK DAY USE, NIGH

Site types

  • 100 Standard Electric
  • 1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

  • Electric hookups
  • Water hookups
  • Sewer hookups
  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Grills
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Book on Recreation.gov

101 campsites at Gun Creek

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
041BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——62 ft8 🐾
042BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——89 ft8 🐾
043BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——81 ft8 🐾
044BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——82 ft8 🐾
045BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——82 ft8 🐾
046BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——78 ft8 🐾
047BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——64 ft8 🐾
048BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
049BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——77 ft8 🐾
050BLUEStandard ElectricBack InPaved——95 ft8 🐾
051BLUEStandard ElectricPull ThroughPaved——99 ft8 🐾
052CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——77 ft8♿ 🐾
053CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
054CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——81 ft8 🐾
055CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——68 ft8 🐾
056CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——85 ft8 🐾
057CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——83 ft8 🐾
058CARDStandard ElectricBack InPaved——86 ft8 🐾
059CARDStandard ElectricPull ThroughPaved——99 ft8 🐾
060EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
061EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——70 ft8 🐾
062EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——80 ft8♿ 🐾
063EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——80 ft8 🐾
064EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——62 ft8 🐾
065EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——53 ft8 🐾
066EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
067EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——50 ft8 🐾
068EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——59 ft8 🐾
069EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——47 ft8 🐾
070EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——84 ft8 🐾
071EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——41 ft8 🐾
072EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——70 ft8 🐾
073EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——43 ft8 🐾
074EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——65 ft8 🐾
075EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——63 ft8 🐾
076EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——51 ft8 🐾
077EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——63 ft8 🐾
078EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——68 ft8 🐾
079EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——64 ft8 🐾
080EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——68 ft8 🐾
081EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——55 ft8 🐾
082EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
083EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
084EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
085EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——64 ft8 🐾
086EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——83 ft8 🐾
087EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——76 ft8 🐾
088EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——77 ft8 🐾
089EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——70 ft8♿ 🐾
090EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
091EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——65 ft8 🐾
092EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——75 ft8 🐾
093EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——69 ft8 🐾
094EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——78 ft8 🐾
095EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
096EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
097EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——78 ft8 🐾
098EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——79 ft8 🐾
099EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——70 ft8 🐾
100EAGLStandard ElectricBack InPaved——75 ft8♿ 🐾
S10GUN CREEK DAY USEGroup Shelter Electric—Paved—Lakefront99 ft50 🐾
001NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——69 ft8 🐾
002NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——76 ft8 🐾
003NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——95 ft8 🐾
004NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——79 ft8 🐾
005NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——88 ft8 🐾
006NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——96 ft8 🐾
007NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8♿ 🐾
008NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——54 ft8 🐾
009NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——78 ft8 🐾
010NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——70 ft8 🐾
011NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——73 ft8 🐾
012NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——77 ft8 🐾
013NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
014NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——95 ft8 🐾
015NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——91 ft8 🐾
016NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——65 ft8♿ 🐾
017NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——85 ft8 🐾
018NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——76 ft8 🐾
019NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——75 ft8 🐾
020NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——93 ft8 🐾
021NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——75 ft8 🐾
022NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
023NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——61 ft8 🐾
024NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——57 ft8 🐾
025NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
026NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——88 ft8 🐾
027NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
028NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPavedSevere—25 ft8 🐾
029NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——69 ft8 🐾
030NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——82 ft8 🐾
031NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——72 ft8 🐾
032NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——48 ft8 🐾
033NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——63 ft8 🐾
034NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——56 ft8 🐾
035NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——71 ft8 🐾
036NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——70 ft8 🐾
037NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——92 ft8 🐾
038NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——55 ft8 🐾
039NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——77 ft8 🐾
040NIGHStandard ElectricBack InPaved——66 ft8 🐾

Getting there

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.

38.07861, -88.93028 · 38°4'43.0"N 88°55'49.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F414455677685888781685544
Low °F252837465664686658473728
Precip in————————————

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Shelter 10
Photo: USACE · Recreation.gov
North Gun Creek Kayak Trail
Photo: USACE, Rend Lake Project Office · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Gun Creek

Can you reserve a site at Gun Creek?
Yes, Gun Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Gun Creek have?
101 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Gun Creek?
99 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Gun Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Gun Creek.
Does Gun Creek have hookups?
Electric, Water, Sewer.
Are campfires allowed at Gun Creek?
Campfires are allowed at Gun Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Gun Creek

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-09.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.