Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center

06/26/2026

Tomorrow !!
☀️Join Rend Lake Park Rangers and volunteers for a day of water safety fun in the sun at South Sandusky Beach June 27 from noon - 4 p.m.! ☀️

06/25/2026

Emergency management officials from across Southern Illinois are participating in sonar and dive training at the Dam West Boat Ramp.

Dam West Boat Ramp is still open to the public, but one launch is being utilized for training.

06/24/2026

This weekend kicks off Rend Lake's annual Beach Blast from noon - 4 p.m. at South Sandusky Beach! Joining us are April's Tropical Sno and Dee's Concession for your favorite beach treats!

Food vendors - interested in setting up at South Sandusk Beach this summer? Complete the Core Friends of Rend Lake vendor application form to be added to the line up!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTwi-KuFiT2b64gQYOp-lrtIR-FIJnTr0FeIxDu_7BsQRz0A/viewform

06/24/2026

UPDATE: The closure has been extended. The Dam Road will re-open by 6 p.m Thursday, June 25.

Important Reminder - 🚨The Rend Lake Dam Road will temporarily close to all traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, for routine maintenance.🚨

Work is subject to weather and may be delayed in the event of inclement weather. After the initial maintenance is completed, there will be intermittent lane closures for two weeks as crews complete the work.

Rend Lake Dam will be closed at the east side of the spillway bridge and at the intersection of Rend City Road and the main dam road. Access to the South Marcum Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and the Dedication Lot east of the spillway bridge will remain open and accessible via Mine 24 and Licata roads.

The Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center and other recreation areas west of the Dam Road are accessible by Rend City Road west of Benton via state Route 14, and east of Sesser via Illinois Route 154

06/22/2026

Important Reminder - 🚨The Rend Lake Dam Road will temporarily close to all traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, for routine maintenance.🚨

Work is subject to weather and may be delayed in the event of inclement weather. After the initial maintenance is completed, there will be intermittent lane closures for two weeks as crews complete the work.

Rend Lake Dam will be closed at the east side of the spillway bridge and at the intersection of Rend City Road and the main dam road. Access to the South Marcum Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and the Dedication Lot east of the spillway bridge will remain open and accessible via Mine 24 and Licata roads.

The Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center and other recreation areas west of the Dam Road are accessible by Rend City Road west of Benton via state Route 14, and east of Sesser via Illinois Route 154

06/22/2026

🎆 Celebrate America's 250th at the Rend Lake 4th of July Celebration! 🎆

This year, fireworks will light up the skies over the Rend Lake Golf Complex on July 3 at 9:15 p.m. hosted by the Rend Lake Conservancy District.
The weekend includes lots of family friendly fun! See event schedule below!
The Rend Lake Golf Resort is located at 12476 Golf Course Road, Whittington, IL at the intersection of Highway 154 and Larry Foster Parkway. Look for the golf ball water tower! For more information call 618-439-4321.
Rend Lake Conservancy District

🎆Friday July 3
4 p.m. - Commemoration Event (Clubhouse) and Food Trucks Open
6 - 8:30 p.m. - Rodeo, Kids Inflatables, Live Music: David Clark Band
9:15 p.m. - FIREWORKS!!

🎆Saturday July 4
4 p.m. - Food Trucks Open
6 - 8:30 p.m. - Rodeo, Kid's Inflatables, Live Music: Leight July

🚨Important Camper & Traffic Updates🚨
Traffic Restrictions:
🚗Starting at NOON on July 3, Golf Course Drive will be restricted to Golf Complex visitors, Gun Creek campers, and their guests. Expect heavier-than-normal traffic in the evening. Visitors to the campgrounds MUST know campsite number and last name on the reservation to enter.
🚗Traffic leaving the fireworks event will only be able to go north on Larry Foster Pkwy to Illinois HWY 154.

06/22/2026

Today is National Selfie Day! 📸 So here's a reminder to submit your photos to our Wear It to Win It Contest! 🌊
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

06/21/2026

Happy Fathers Day!
To all the Dads out there, be safe this boating season. There are little eyes watching and little hearts waiting for you to return home safe. Wear a life jacket for the ones who love you! 🥰

06/21/2026

Mark your calendars for Rend Lake's annual Beach Blast on June 27! 🌞
Games, music, Air-Evac Helicopter landing, onsite EMS, prizes, and more!
Hosted at South Sandusky Beach from 12-4pm. Join us for a day of water safety fun!

06/19/2026

Celebrate Illinois Free Fishing Days at Rend Lake! 🎣 During these four days, anyone can fish in Illinois without purchasing a fishing license! Discover the fun of fishing and introduce kids to the great outdoors! Need a life jacket for your fishing trip? 🤔
Stop by the Rend Lake Visitor Center to borrow one for free!