Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area Campground

About

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area occupies 3,300 acres of former farmland along Rend Lake in Franklin County, managed jointly by Illinois DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park features a mix of abandoned crop fields, fence rows, and oak-hickory woodlands, with three-quarters of its perimeter bordering the reservoir shoreline. Dedicated in 1975, it honors state representative Wayne Fitzgerrell who championed the lake's development. The campground offers 243 sites with electric hookups across five camping loops: Bay Area, Hickman's Point, and Lakeview require reservations through ExploreMoreIL, while Lookout Point and Shady Rest operate first-come, first-served. Three shower buildings serve the campground, and sites include picnic tables and fire rings. The park provides excellent bank fishing for crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Beyond camping, the recreation area hosts over 25 annual sporting dog field trial events and controlled pheasant hunts accommodating up to 120 hunters daily. A 4-mile multi-use trail connects day-use areas through the campgrounds to Rend Lake Resort. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bald eagles, herons, hawks, and deer throughout the property.

Directions

Located at 11094 Ranger Rd., Whittington, IL 62897 on the shores of Rend Lake in Southern Illinois.