Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center

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Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center Welcome to the official Rend Lake page! Home of the Rend Lake Visitor Center and over 20,000 acres of public land managed by the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers. For more information call 618-724-2493! For campground reservations: recreation.gov.

As we wrap up the 2026 recreation season, Rend Lake's onsite volunteers set off to their winter destinations. 👋 To celeb...
10/30/2026

As we wrap up the 2026 recreation season, Rend Lake's onsite volunteers set off to their winter destinations. 👋
To celebrate their accomplishments, the Rend Lake team hosted the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Chili Cook-off! A big thanks to these talented and dedicated individuals for contributing to Rend Lake's missions and better serving our 1.4 million visitors! This year, the volunteer team contributed 21,155.5 hours of service for a total value of over $700,000!!

Jackie Branch fishing pier and the accessible kayak launch are closed due to low water and inaccessibility. The Boat Ram...
10/28/2026

Jackie Branch fishing pier and the accessible kayak launch are closed due to low water and inaccessibility. The Boat Ramp will remain open.

The current lake level is 403.77.

10/27/2026

Due to low water and inaccessibility, the Turnip Patch Boat Ramp is closed. The parking lot will remain open, but boat ramp launch lanes are closed.

The current lake level is 403.82.

Courtesy Post: Cat found at Spillway Recreation Area around 12:00 a.m. October 20. Male tabby, very friendly with reflec...
10/20/2026

Courtesy Post: Cat found at Spillway Recreation Area around 12:00 a.m. October 20. Male tabby, very friendly with reflective collar. Please call 618-724-2493 or send us a message if this cat belongs to you.

10/15/2026

GUN CREEK CAMPGROUND IS EXPERIENCING A POWER OUTAGE DUE TO WIDESPREAD OUTAGE.

🎃Calling all boys and ghouls! Join Rend Lake Park Rangers and our partners for the annual Trick or Treat the Visitor Cen...
10/15/2026

🎃Calling all boys and ghouls! Join Rend Lake Park Rangers and our partners for the annual Trick or Treat the Visitor Center October 27 from 10 - 11 a.m.🎃
Get your best costumes ready for a morning packed with spooky (not scary) fun, creepy-crawly encounters, and lots of treats! 🍬
Activities include:
🐍10am - Slithery Snake Show
🔦Glow-in-the-Dark Scavenger Hunt
🎃Halloween Sensory Bins courtesy of Seeking Sensory, LLC
🍬Trick or Treating - gather treats from our friends from Heritage Woods of Benton and Take Action Today !

This program is designed for children 5 years old and younger, but all ages are welcome to join the fun! If you are coming with a group of 10 or more, please call the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor -Center at 618-724-2493 to register.

Archery deer and turkey seasons are officially open! 🦃🦌 Be safe and follow all Illinois hunting regulations while huntin...
10/14/2026

Archery deer and turkey seasons are officially open! 🦃🦌 Be safe and follow all Illinois hunting regulations while hunting your public lands at Rend Lake! For more information on hunting public lands in Illinois visit https://huntillinois.org/

🥾For those out recreating, don't be alarmed if you see hunters utilizing the trails. Public hunting land can be accessed by hunter/fisher lots and trail systems. For site specific questions, call the Rend Lake Project Office at 618-724-2493.

⛔️Heads up, boaters! ⛔️ The portion of the Gun Creek channel underneath the IL-154 bridge at will be closed to all boat ...
10/12/2026

⛔️Heads up, boaters! ⛔️ The portion of the Gun Creek channel underneath the IL-154 bridge at will be closed to all boat traffic October 13, 14, and 15 from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The barrier bouy system will be removed each evening to allow boaters access outside of working hours.
This is part of the ongoing Illinois 154 Rend Lake Bridge Replacement Project. During this closure, crews will be setting beams for the new bridge structure.

The IDOT Illinois 154 Rend Lake Bridge Replacement Project includes improving roadway conditions, replacing the 154 bridge, and construction of a 10 ft. Wide concrete multi-use path along IL154 from Fitzgerrell Park Drive to Larry Foster Parkway - adding an integral connection to the existing Rend Lake Bike Trail. Stay tuned for updates!

10/05/2026

WATER SERVICE HAS BEEN RESTORED AS OF NOON 5-OCT-26
TEMPORARY WATER DISRUPTION: GUN CREEK
Due to damage to a water hydrant in Gun Creek Campground there will be a temporary water service disruption while crews make necessary repairs.

💲 Paying the $5 boat launch fee just got easier!Scan & Pay is now available at Jackie Branch, Turnip Patch, and Ina Boat...
09/25/2026

💲 Paying the $5 boat launch fee just got easier!
Scan & Pay is now available at Jackie Branch, Turnip Patch, and Ina Boat Ramps!
📱 First download the recreation.gov app on your phone, scan the QR code, and complete payment on your device!
Cash payment is still accepted at these locations.
🛥 All other USACE boat ramps have automated fee machines for quick and easy payments by credit or debit. Don't want to pay each time you launch? Purchase a USACE annual pass at the fee machines, Rend Lake Visitor Center, Blackout Bait and Tackle, or Rend Lake Sporting Goods.

Address

11981 Rend City Road
Benton, IL
62812

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16187242493

Website

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