Duck Bay - Lake Glendale
Open for the 2026 recreation season. Group camping reservations must be made by calling the Lake Glendale Concessionaire. This is a group reservation-only shelter, not an individual campsite.
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 10:48PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Daily heat index values up to 100-106 expected. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 10 AM CDT /11 AM EDT/ Monday to 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heat index values will be closer to 100 on Monday. Low rain chances on Friday may provide limited relief.
Lane reduction on bridge near IL Iron Furnace
Big Creek BridgeBig Creek Bridge, which carries County Road 12 over Big Creek, near the Iron Furnace recreation site in Hardin County, is reduced to a single central lane due to deteriorating bridge conditions. Motorists should slow down when approaching and traveling over the bridge. For your…
Trigg Tower temporarily closed
Trigg Tower on the Shawnee National Forest will temporarily close this month for necessary repairs. Weather permitting, contractors will begin work May 11, temporarily closing the tower and parking area to visitors. Repairs are expected to take approximately one month, no more than 90 days.Repairs…
About
Duck Bay Shelter sits along the shores of Lake Glendale in southern Illinois's Shawnee National Forest. The historic pavilion was originally constructed in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and underwent a complete reconstruction from October 2025 to March 2026. The rebuilt structure uses cedar logs harvested directly from the Duck Bay area and faithfully follows the original 1939 plans while incorporating modern amenities. The shelter retains several historic features including the original stone fireplace and chimney, as well as the flagstone apron and stairways around the exterior. The site is available for group camping reservations only and cannot be booked for individual camping. Potable water, picnic tables, and grills are provided. Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers additional opportunities including hiking, swimming at the beach (Memorial Day to Labor Day), boating, fishing, and bicycling. Individual campers should consider nearby Oak Point Campground, which offers 35 electric/water sites and 24 non-electric sites on a first-come, first-served basis.
Directions
From Harrisburg: Take Highway 145 south 26.5 miles and turn left into the recreation area. From Vienna (intersection I-24 and Hwy 146): Take Hwy 146 east 11 miles to Hwy 145, go north on Hwy 145 for 2.2 miles and turn right into the recreation area.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | — |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 - $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (618) 658-0607 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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