South Sandusky Beach
Benton, Illinois · on Mine Number 21 Reservoir
Verified · 3 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5.00 per vehicle
- SEASON
- May
About South Sandusky Beach
South Sandusky Beach is an official swimming hole on Rend Lake, a US Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in Franklin/Jefferson Counties, Illinois. For anyone near Sesser and Benton looking for a lake to swim in, it is one of two designated swimming beaches on the lake (along with North Marcum on the east side), sitting within the South Sandusky Campground on the lake's west side.
The beach sits on the west shore of Rend Lake, an 18,900-acre US Army Corps of Engineers reservoir spanning roughly 13 miles long and 3 miles wide in the flat farmland/woodland of southern Illinois. It is part of the South Sandusky Campground complex, with nearby day-use and campground areas (North Sandusky Day-Use, North Sandusky Campground, Spillway Group Area, Dam West Area, South Marcum Day Use) all clustered around this end of the lake.
Swimming at South Sandusky Beach
Swimming takes place in a designated buoyed swim area with a large sand beach, making it a managed, family-oriented lake swimming spot rather than a wild or remote hole. Life jacket loaner stations are provided at the swim area.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up Corps of Engineers day-use beach inside South Sandusky Campground, not a hike-in spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Designated buoyed swim area with a large sand beach and life jacket loaner stations at the water's edge; this is a managed, gently-sloping reservoir beach rather than a cliff/current spot. No source confirms on-duty lifeguards, so supervise kids directly.
Parking
Paid, $5 per vehicle (day use)
Corps of Engineers day-use fee of $5/vehicle; waived with a valid Corps campsite registration tag, America the Beautiful pass, or Corps Annual Day Use Pass (available at the Rend Lake Visitor Center, 618-724-2493). Paved walkways lead from the lot to the beach/swim area.
Restrooms
Yes
Restroom facilities and change/shower houses plus foot showers are on site at the beach (per rendlake.com).
Hours
Beach is seasonal, open May through September; no separate daily gate hours found (Rend Lake Marina, a different facility on the lake, posts 8am-5pm daily).
On the water
Restrictions: The roped/buoyed swim area itself is for swimming only; boats and personal watercraft stay outside the buoys. Broader Rend Lake supports motorized boating, jet skis, and paddling elsewhere on the lake.
Rend Lake has six Corps-designated kayak trails with brochures at the Visitor Center on Rend City Road, one of which (Sandusky Cove) is on the same side of the lake as this beach.
Rentals nearby
Single and tandem kayak rentals (paddle and one life jacket included)
Prices: Single kayak starting at $40; tandem starting at $65; $10/kayak delivery fee
Serves Rend Lake, Benton/Sesser, IL area (exact street address not published on the rental page) · 8am-7pm Tuesday-Sunday, closed Mondays
Pontoon boat rentals (also fuel, slips, marina services)
Prices: Holiday-rate pontoons cited at roughly $400-$475/day; standard daily/hourly rates not published on the homepage
8955 West Dam Lane, Benton, IL 62812 · 8am-5pm daily
What regulars say
Solid first-hand visitor reports could not be verified for this beach. Rend Lake's own website calls South Sandusky 'the most accessible public swimming beach on the lake,' consistent with it being the more developed, easier-parking option versus North Marcum on the east side.
South Sandusky Beach: FAQ
Does South Sandusky Beach charge a fee?
$5.00 per vehicle for day use; waived for visitors with valid Corps of Engineers campsite registration tags, America the Beautiful passes, or Corps Annual Day Use Passes (available at the Rend Lake Visitor Center).
Is South Sandusky Beach kid friendly?
Designated buoyed swim area with a large sand beach and life jacket loaner stations at the water's edge; this is a managed, gently-sloping reservoir beach rather than a cliff/current spot. No source confirms on-duty lifeguards, so supervise kids directly.
Do I need to hike to reach South Sandusky Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for South Sandusky Beach?
Corps of Engineers day-use fee of $5/vehicle; waived with a valid Corps campsite registration tag, America the Beautiful pass, or Corps Annual Day Use Pass (available at the Rend Lake Visitor Center, 618-724-2493). Paved walkways lead from the lot to the beach/swim area.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to South Sandusky Beach?
Rend Lake has six Corps-designated kayak trails with brochures at the Visitor Center on Rend City Road, one of which (Sandusky Cove) is on the same side of the lake as this beach.
When is the best time to visit South Sandusky Beach?
Open May through September.
What are the rules at South Sandusky Beach?
Buoyed swim area designates the designated swimming zone; day-use fee applies except for pass/registration holders. Contact Rend Lake Visitor Center (618-724-2493) for further rules.
What water body is South Sandusky Beach on?
South Sandusky Beach is on Mine Number 21 Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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