Weekend availability at Gun Creek
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 9:04 PM PT- Fri, Sep 18Limited14/99 sites
- Fri, Sep 25Limited17/99 sites
- Fri, Oct 2Open26/99 sites
- Fri, Oct 9Limited1/99 sites
- Fri, Oct 16Open35/99 sites
- Fri, Oct 23Limited24/99 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Gun Creek?
as of September 19Sites are open right now — we found space out to Nov. That changes fast at a campground. We check Gun Creek around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 101
- Electric sites
- 101
- Water hookups
- 27
- Sewer hookups
- 26
- Pull-through
- 2
About this campground
Overview Gun Creek Campground is located on the eastern shore of Rend Lake— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here in the heart of Southern Illinois. Recreation Gun Creek Campground is conveniently located near the Gun Creek Day Use Area, which includes a boat ramp and a reservable picnic shelter. The area offers abundant opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and general outdoor exploration. Additional recreation features around Rend Lake include the Rend Lake Bike Trail, an archery complex with a 3D trail and elevated shooting platform, a dog park with a swimming feature, and two public swimming beaches (including the pet-friendly North Marcum Beach). Facilities Gun Creek Campground offers 98 reservable campsites equipped with electric hookups, a picnic table, and a firepit. The campground offers a dump station, hot showers, flush toilets, and drinking water to provide a comfortable camping experience for guests. A playground is also conveniently located within the Nighthawk and Eagle camping loops. Natural Features The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Woodland areas are made up of hickory, oak, and beautiful maples providing habitat to white-tail deer, turkeys, racoons, and many more native species. The shorelines are an excellent viewing area for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bank fishing our known crappie population. Nearby Attractions Rend Lake Golf Complex, which includes a 27-hole golf course, restaurant, and lodge. Rend Lake Shooting Complex Rend Lake Archery Complex Rend Lake Mountain Bike Trail Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park North Marcum Day Use (Beach and Boat Ramp)
Getting there
From I-57 take exit 77 and turn west on Route 154. Turn left onto Gun Creek Trail/Larry Foster Parkway, then right onto Golf Course Road. Continue 1/2 mile to park entrance.
Activities
- FISHING
- CAMPING
- BOATING
- BIKING
- BIRDING
- DAY USE AREA
- WATER ACCESS
- PICNICKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Never miss an opening at Gun Creek
Popular Illinois campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Gun Creek around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.
We'll email you if Gun Creek opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.
Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.