North Sandusky Day-Use

Star1.38
11 reviews
North Sandusky Day-Use

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens NORTH SANDUSKY DAY-USE site

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North Sandusky Day-Use
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(618) 724-2493

What Campers Say

1.38

Mixed Reviews

Based on 11 reviews

19 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanrestroomslake

"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about North Sandusky Day-Use, praising it as a clean, well-kept, shady lakeside area ideal for picnics, parties, and gatherings of all sizes. Many highlight the shelters (especially Shelter 3), good amenities like power, grills, restrooms, and nearby recreation such as disc golf, trails, and swimming. A few minor issues are mentioned with shoreline trash, rough ground for pets, and one reservation/signage problem."

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About North Sandusky Day-Use

Nestled along the scenic shores of Rend Lake, North Sandusky Day Use Area invites you to experience Southern Illinois outdoor recreation at its finest. Whether you're launching your boat from the convenient ramp, challenging friends to disc golf, or gathering your group of up to 50 under one of two spacious picnic shelters, this versatile day-use destination connects you with nature through boating, fishing, hiking, biking, and endless waterfront adventures.
North Sandusky is described as a day-use area with reservable group picnic shelters and recreational facilities; no camping types are specified.
Natural Features and SceneryThe landscape unfolds in layers here—open fields give way to dense woodlands where hickory, oak, and maple trees create a canopy overhead, while Rend Lake's expansive waters shimmer beyond. Along the shorelines, patient anglers cast their lines for the lake's renowned crappie while white-tailed deer browse quietly at the forest edge. The air fills with the calls of turkeys echoing through the trees and the seasonal chorus of waterfowl and shorebirds that make these shores their temporary home. Raccoons leave their tracks in the soft earth near the water, reminding visitors they're sharing this space with thriving wildlife communities.
Geological RegionSouthern Illinois (Rend Lake area)
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Campsite details

Sites SizeTwo reservable group picnic shelters
Total Campsites2 campsites
Recommended CampsitesReserve one of the two large group picnic shelters for groups (each holds up to 50). The boat ramp, boat dock, playground, and disc golf course are within walking distance of the shelters.

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site
Shelters can accommodate up to 50 guests each.
Groups
  • Two large reservable group picnic shelters are available
  • each shelter can accommodate up to 50 guests and includes tables, grills, and drinking water.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Cancellation PolicyTwo large reservable group picnic shelters with tables, grills, and drinking water; shelters can accommodate up to 50 guests each. For facility-specific information, call (618) 724-2493.

Amenities available

Potable water
Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Rend Lake and the North Sandusky Day Use Area offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation including biking, boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Additional nearby and on-site recreation features include an archery complex with a 3D trail and elevated shooting platform, a dog park with a swimming feature, disc golf, playgrounds, and the Rend Lake Bike Trail.
Hiking
Hiking opportunities are available in woodland areas and nearby trails; nearby attractions include the Blackberry Nature Trail.
Fishing
Shoreline and bank fishing are available on Rend Lake, with a noted crappie population.
Swimming
There are two public swimming beaches on Rend Lake, including the pet-friendly North Marcum Beach.
Biking
Access to the Rend Lake Bike Trail — over 20 miles of paved pathways through woodlands and along views of Rend Lake and the Big Muddy River.
Boating
Boating is supported by on-site facilities including a boat ramp and boat dock.
Wildlife viewing
Woodlands of hickory, oak, and maple provide habitat for white-tailed deer, turkeys, raccoons and other species; shorelines are good for viewing waterfowl and shorebirds.
Beach activities
Two public swimming beaches are available on Rend Lake; one (North Marcum Beach) is identified as pet-friendly.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards


Weather at North Sandusky Day-Use

31
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 10 mph
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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLocated on the shore of Rend Lake with a boat ramp and boat dock; shorelines and beaches are nearby (including pet-friendly North Marcum Beach).

Campground Map

North Sandusky Day-Use
Driving directionsFrom I-57 take exit 77, and turn west onto Route 154. Continue for 4.5 miles, then turn south on Rend City Road. Continue through the stop sign to the park entrance.
Accessible from I-57 via exit 77 onto Route 154, then south on Rend City Road to the park entrance.

Reviews from booking and map sources

1.4
11 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
North Sandusky Day-Use has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about North Sandusky Day-Use, praising it as a clean, well-kept, shady lakeside area ideal for picnics, parties, and gatherings of all sizes. Many highlight the shelters (especially Shelter 3), good amenities like power, grills, restrooms, and nearby recreation such as disc golf, trails, and swimming. A few minor issues are mentioned with shoreline trash, rough ground for pets, and one reservation/signage problem.
Review Summaries
Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests love the shady shelters with electric outlets, plenty of tables, and ample parking, which work well for events like birthdays, reunions, gender reveals, cookouts, and prayer services. The area...
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Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints are limited but include some trash down by the water in at least one area, which may be lake wash-up, and rough, prickly ground in spots that can be uncomfortable for pets. One user...
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Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers suggest bringing your own grills (charcoal or gas) in addition to using the large shelter grill, depending on cooking plans. One rec.gov reviewer recommends bringing a water hose if...
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Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We love reserving this shelter! We’ve had a gender reveal, a 4th of July picnic and a grandson’s 1st birthday party! Very shady, there is power for things to be plugged in, huge play yard for...
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Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Shelter 3 is repeatedly highlighted as a favorite, especially for motorcycle riders and larger gatherings. Reviewers say it has plenty of space and tables for big groups (20+ people), a fireplace...
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Based on 11 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviewers frequently mention that parking is plentiful and close to the shelters, and that restrooms are within easy walking distance of Shelter 3. However, there are no explicit comments about ADA...
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Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One reviewer notes that while the picnic area itself was clean, the ground near the water was rough for pets because of multiple trees dropping prickly seed pods, which could be uncomfortable on...
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Based on 11 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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