Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center

06/01/2026

Bikes and Badges happening this Saturday June 6 at the Rend Lake Spillway Dedication Lot at 10 a.m. and noon!

The Rend Lake team and Franklin County Sherrif's Office are partnering to host the 2nd annual "Bikes and Badges community event. This free and family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, June 6 at the Rend Lake Spillway Dedication Lot. To accommodate participants, the event will feature two separate sessions starting at 10 a.m. and noon.

“Bikes and Badges” promotes bicycle safety and encourages outdoor recreation. Attendees will enjoy complimentary food, bicycle and helmet giveaways, onsite bike repairs, a bike safety program for kids with an optional 1-mile guided bike ride led by a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Rend Lake Park Ranger. Adults will also have the opportunity to test ride electrical bicycles courtesy of Southern Illinois E-Bikes. Participating agencies include Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Franklin County Office of Emergency Management & Communications, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The Franklin County Sherrif’s Office and event organizers extend their deepest gratitude to this year's sponsors, whose generous support made this community event possible:
🚴Franklin County Office of Emergency Management & Communications
🚴Thompsonville American Legion Post 1194
🚴Infinity Tool MFG
🚴Southern Illinois Bank
🚴Benton / West City Wal-Mart

Kyle Bacon - Franklin County Sheriff Franklin County Office of Emergency Management & Communications

05/29/2026

Saturday May 30 the Environmental Science Series continues with another visitor favorite - World of Reptiles presented by Bob Tarter of Animalogy. 🐍Join us at 10am, noon, and 2pm for an up-close look at unique reptiles from around the globe. Programs are open to the public and family friendly. Seating is available on a first come first serve basis.

05/27/2026

Core Friends of Rend Lake is hosting another food vendor this weekend May 29-31 at South Sandusky Beach! 🍦Your beach visit just got sweeter with Buttercup's Ice Cream! Stop by for a scoop (or two!). 🍦

05/21/2026

🚨This Saturday! 🚨
The Environmental Science Series continues this weekend with "The Best of Animal Tales," where animal experts from Animal Tales, LLC will share their amazing live animals and show off their unique features! Programs are offered at the Rend Lake Visitor Center at 10am, noon, and 2pm. Seating is available on a first come first serve basis. No standing permitted during the program.

For more information contact the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.

05/20/2026

Happy National Safe Boating Week!🚤🛟🛥️ We are kicking off the week with the announcement of a new water safety initiative involving - YOU!

May 24 through July 4, visitors can submit photos for the "Wear It to Win It" contest. Share photos of yourself, friends, or family wearing a properly fitting life jacket to win a prize!

🏆Grand prize winner: 3 nights of camping (excluding holiday weekends)

🥈2nd place winner: 1 day-use picnic shelter reservation

🥉3rd place winner: 4 day-use passes (covers 1 time day-use fee at Rend Lake beaches or boat ramps)

Winners will be announced on July 13.

05/17/2026

A boil order is in effect for South Marcum Campground due to a water main break in the City of Benton.

Boil Order Notice
5/17/26
Due to a water main break in Benton, the City of Benton sustained a loss of pressure on May 17, 2026. Effective immediately, ALL customers on Benton Water will be placed on a precautionary boil water order until further notice. This is city wide.
If you have any questions, you can contact the water system using the contact information below:

Dailus Richardson
Public Works Director
618-439-6131 opt. 2

05/08/2026

That's a wrap on the 2026 Great Outdoors Celebration! 815 sixth-grade students attended sessions featuring live animals, hands-on activities, and outdoor education! It takes many volunteers and dedicated professionals to support this event. Thank you to all of the volunteers and presenters that made this event possible. A huge thank you to Porch Chair BBQ PCB in Ina for donating BBQ and sides to feed our presenters!

05/07/2026

Best day off from school for 700 third-grade students today attending the Rend Lake Great Outdoors Celebration! 🥳 A special thanks to the 30 presenters that spent the day educating students! Also a big shoutout to Casey's General Store in Benton for donating pizza to feed our volunteer presenters!