North Marcum Beach
Whittington, Illinois · on Mine Number 21 Reservoir
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5.00 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About North Marcum Beach
North Marcum Beach is a US Army Corps of Engineers-managed swimming beach on Rend Lake, a large flood-control reservoir in Southern Illinois near Whittington and Sesser, operated as part of the North Marcum Day Use Area. It is an easy swimming hole for families after a lake to swim in, with a designated sandy swim area kept separate from the boat-mooring area, alongside picnic shelters, a playground, and restroom/shower facilities.
The beach sits on the east side of Rend Lake at the end of Marcum Branch Road, within a day-use area surrounded by hickory, oak, and maple woodland that supports white-tailed deer, turkey, raccoons, and waterfowl/shorebirds along the shoreline. Rend Lake itself covers roughly 20,633 acres of water with about 162 miles of shoreline, part of which adjoins the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area.
Swimming at North Marcum Beach
Swimming takes place at a designated sandy beach on the reservoir, physically separated from the boat-mooring area, with a dog-friendly section where swimmers and leashed dogs can share the water. Users are required to stay within the marked designated swim area. This is calm, still reservoir water suited to families and casual swimmers rather than a current-driven river swim.
How to get to this swimming hole
From I-57 exit 77, go west on IL Route 154 for 0.25 miles, turn left onto Gun Creek Trail and go south 3 miles to Marcum Branch Road, then turn right and continue 1.5 miles to the park entrance.
Parking: On-site parking at the North Marcum Day Use Area; a per-vehicle daily fee covers beach/boat ramp access (see Fees).
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up beach: parking is on-site at the North Marcum Day Use Area with only a short walk from the lot to the sandy swim area. No hike or trail is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated sandy swim area is kept physically separate from the boat-mooring area, which reduces watercraft conflict, and the beach is calm reservoir water rather than a river current. However, no source confirms lifeguards are on duty, and signage requires swimmers to stay within the marked designated swim area, implying unmarked water may drop off or be unsupervised.
Parking
Paid, $5.00 per vehicle per day
On-site parking lot at the North Marcum Day Use Area; the $5/vehicle fee covers beach and boat ramp access (valid Corps of Engineers passes may be exempt, per recreation.gov).
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible restrooms and outdoor rinsing showers were added on-site in summer 2021, per rendlake.com; recreation.gov also lists picnic shelters with drinking water.
On the water
Restrictions: Swimmers must stay within the designated swim area, and boats must use the separate boat-mooring/ramp area rather than the swim beach itself; no specific no-wake zone or horsepower limit was found documented for this exact location.
North Marcum has its own boat ramp and dock (per prior enrichment/recreation.gov). Rend Lake also has an official marked kayak trail system; the 'Marcum Cove' loop (rated intermediate, ~3.7 miles, ~2 hours, with fish attractors along the route) runs through this same cove area, per rendlake.com's kayak trails page.
Rentals nearby
Black Dog Storage
Kayak rentals
Rend City Road, just south of the Rend Lake Visitor Center (near the west end of the dam)
North Marcum Beach: FAQ
Does North Marcum Beach charge a fee?
$5.00 per vehicle per day for beach use (per rendlake.com); recreation.gov also notes daily fees apply for boat ramp and beach use.
Is North Marcum Beach kid friendly?
Designated sandy swim area is kept physically separate from the boat-mooring area, which reduces watercraft conflict, and the beach is calm reservoir water rather than a river current. However, no source confirms lifeguards are on duty, and signage requires swimmers to stay within the marked designated swim area, implying unmarked water may drop off or be unsupervised.
Do I need to hike to reach North Marcum Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for North Marcum Beach?
On-site parking lot at the North Marcum Day Use Area; the $5/vehicle fee covers beach and boat ramp access (valid Corps of Engineers passes may be exempt, per recreation.gov).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to North Marcum Beach?
North Marcum has its own boat ramp and dock (per prior enrichment/recreation.gov). Rend Lake also has an official marked kayak trail system; the 'Marcum Cove' loop (rated intermediate, ~3.7 miles, ~2 hours, with fish attractors along the route) runs through this same cove area, per rendlake.com's kayak trails page.
What are the rules at North Marcum Beach?
No alcoholic beverages permitted in the designated beach area; swimmers must remain within designated swim areas; dogs allowed only in a designated pet-friendly section of the beach and must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet; camping is prohibited at this day-use area; off-road vehicles require prior approval.
What water body is North Marcum Beach on?
North Marcum Beach is on Mine Number 21 Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Whittington
★ Top verifiedSouth Sandusky Beach
Benton, Illinoisreservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Crab Orchard Beach -
Carterville, Illinoisreservoir
⛺🛶🚤
Poplar Camp Beach at Cedar Lake
Carbondale, Illinoisreservoir
⛺🛶🚤
★ Top verifiedCarlyle Lake
Carlyle Township, Illinoislake
⛺🚤
★ Top verifiedColes Creek Beach
Shattuc, Illinoisreservoir
⛺🚤
★ Top verifiedKeyesport Beach
Keyesport, Illinoislake
⛺🛶🚤