7 Nov 2023

Temporary Area Closures during Firearm Deer Seasons at Rend Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake reminds visitors that many locations on Rend Lake will be closed during the state firearm deer hunting seasons. The following recreation areas will be temporarily closed to all vehicle and foot traffic during the first firearm deer season, November 17-19, 2023. Areas affected by the closure include: North Sandusky day use area, boat ramp, and campground; South Sandusky day use area, campground, beach and boat ramp; South Marcum day use area and campground; Blackberry Nature Trail; and North Marcum Archery Complex, Mountain Bike Trails, and North Marcum Bike Trails. These areas will be utilized by persons involved in the annual Rend Lake Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities and will remain closed as a safety precaution.

19 Oct 2023

Trick or Treat the Rend Lake Visitor Center October 31

Visitors of all ages are welcome to attend the Trick or Treat the Visitor Center event on October 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center. The event will feature several family friendly activities designed to educate and entertain participants.

19 Oct 2023

Rend Lake Beaches and Other Recreation Areas Closing for the Season

Several recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will be closing for the season.

15 May 2023

Nature-based Yoga for Kids and Adults Offered at Rend Lake Visitor Center

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake has partnered with a local certified yoga instructor to offer free children’s yoga classes for children 5-12 years old at the Rend Lake Visitor Center as part of the six-week series “Story and Stretch.” Each week, there will be a kid-friendly themed yoga pose, a story, and coloring sheet. Sessions will be located outdoors near the Visitor Center Pollinator Garden, weather permitting, at 2:00pm on Sundays starting May 14. Participants should bring their own yoga mat or blanket. Upcoming dates for “Story and Stretch” are May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, and 18; each session will require prior registration. Email amandamarieyogaclass@gmail.com to register. Adult supervision is required.

8 May 2023

Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors to practice water safety

As millions of Americans plan visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in, on, and around open water. Tragically, people lose their lives while visiting USACE-managed lands and waters every year. Most of the tragedies are water related. The public’s help is needed to reduce the number of fatalities at the more than 2,800 USACE-managed recreation areas nationwide. USACE personnel stress the importance of water safety year-round when talking with visitors, but especially during the summer season because that is when most public recreation fatalities occur.

10 Apr 2023

Boater Safety Course Offered at Rend Lake Visitor Center

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Alton Pool Flotilla 34 is hosting a Boat America Boater Safety Course at the Rend Lake Visitor Center on April 22, 2023, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The successful completion of the course results in a boater safety certificate. In Illinois, those born after January 1, 1998, are required to complete the course to operate a boat. In Missouri, the date is January 1, 1984. Many insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance to boaters who successfully complete the Boat America course. The $25.00 course fee includes the Boat America textbook with study guide, course exam, Boating Safely certificate, and a Boating Safely wallet card. There is a $5 additional fee for each additional person after a textbook has been purchased, which covers the exam, certificate, and wallet card.

6 Jun 2022

Rend Lake's Annual Beach Blast, June 11

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is hosting the annual Beach Blast at South Sandusky Beach from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday June 11. Join Park Rangers for a day of safety and fun in the sun. Beach Blast includes the best of beach day activities; there will be beach games, a DJ with family friendly music all day, a sand sculpture contest, an ice cream truck, and an appearance by Bobber the Water Safety Dog. Our local emergency response personal will also be on site for other fun hands-on demonstrations. Abbott-EMS and Sesser Fire will display their emergency equipment and vehicles, and at 1 p.m. there will be an Air-Evac helicopter landing near the beach and opportunities for a photo-op in the helicopter.

9 May 2022

Rend Lake Dam Road Closed for Routine Inspection

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will close the Rend Lake Dam Road to all through traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Access to the South Marcum Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and the Dedication Lot on the east end of the Rend Lake Dam will remain open. Watch for closure signs at Sugar Creek parking lot and the west entrance to the Rend Lake Dam.

23 Mar 2022

The First Rend Lake Marathon Will Help Celebrate Rend Lake’s 50th Year

Bringing together runners from twenty different states is no easy task! Many partners and running organizations have teamed up to host the River to River Runners Rend Lake Marathon. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake in partnership with the River to River Runners, the Road Runners Club of America, Rend Lake Conservancy District, and Ashworth Awards will host the race on Saturday, March 26. The River to River Runners Rend Lake Marathon event is excited to bring back the Southern Illinois favorite running tradition to the backroads, trails, and through beautiful Rend Lake. The event will include races and festivities for everyone in the family.

3 Mar 2022

Environmental Science Series Programs Return to the Rend Lake Visitor Center

After two years of limited public programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is excited to celebrate Rend Lake’s 50th Anniversary with a full year of programming. The Environmental Science Series begins May 28, 2022. These programs will be held every Saturday from May 28th to September 3rd in the Rend Lake Visitor Center.