North Marcum Day Use Area
Campground · Illinois · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 75
- People per site
- 416 ft
- Elevation
Overview
North Marcum 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
North Marcum Day Use Area features two large picnic shelters with tables, grills, and drinking water. The shelters can accommodate up to 75 guests each. Additionally, the area has a boat ramp, playground, swimming beach, and dock all within walking distance. The beach offers areas for swimmers and pet lovers alike. There is also a designated area that is dog friendly, allowing swimmers and their dogs to enjoy the beach together!
Natural Features
North Marcum Day Use Area sits along the banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. Plenty of shade and a swimming beach make this day use area desirable. 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 the known crappie population.
Nearby Attractions
Rend Lake Bike Trail
Rend Lake Mountain Bike Trail
North Marcum Archery Complex
Rend Lake Golf Complex featuring 27-holes, a lodge, and restaurant
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493.The facts
- 2 bookable sites
- 2 sites for day use only
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: PICNIC SHELTER 7,8
Site types
- 2 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.
2 campsites at North Marcum Day Use Area
Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | PICNIC SHELTER 7,8 | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
| 8 | PICNIC SHELTER 7,8 | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
38.05244, -88.95160 · 38°3'8.8"N 88°57'5.8"W
Typical weather
Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 41 | 44 | 55 | 67 | 76 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 81 | 68 | 55 | 44 |
| Low °F | 25 | 28 | 37 | 46 | 56 | 64 | 68 | 66 | 58 | 47 | 37 | 28 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about North Marcum Day Use Area
- Can you reserve a site at North Marcum Day Use Area?
- Yes, North Marcum Day Use Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does North Marcum Day Use Area have?
- 2 sites.
- Are pets allowed at North Marcum Day Use Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at North Marcum Day Use Area.
- Does North Marcum Day Use Area have hookups?
- Electric.
Camping near North Marcum Day Use Area
- Spillway Group Area 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Marcum Day Use 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dale Miller Youth 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Marcum Campground 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Area (Day-Use) 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Gun Creek 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Sandusky Day Use 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Sandusky Day-Use 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Shagbark Group Area 3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Sandusky Campground 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Sandusky Campground 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Devils Kitchen Group Pavilion 29.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone 618-724-2493
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-30.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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