BENTON – With 20,000 acres of land, 4 minutes of totality, and special eclipse events, Rend Lake in Southern Illinois, is a premier destination for eclipse viewing on Monday, April 8, 2024. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake will have multiple viewing locations available to the public, include Dam West Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and North Marcum Recreation Area. These designated viewing sites will have food vendors on site and Park Rangers available to assist visitors. At Rend Lake, the solar eclipse will begin around 12:44 p.m. CDT and reach full totality at about 2:00 p.m. CDT. Full totality will last for 4 minutes and 8 seconds! A limited supply of eclipse glasses will be available, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own.

Along with premier viewing sites, Rend Lake also offers entertaining and educational programming leading up to the eclipse. These events are free, open to the public, and family friendly. For more information on all eclipse events at Rend Lake, please contact the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.

Eclipse Events

Saturday April 6

Rend Lake Visitor Center:

10 a.m.: Eclipse of the Senses with Animology – Live animal program

12 p.m.: Eclipse of the Senses with Animology – Live animal program

2 p.m.: Science of Eclipses with Science Educator Greg Hollman

Sunday, April 7

Rend Lake Visitor Center

1:00 p.m.: Kid’s Astronomy Concert with Dino O’Dell

Sunday, April 7

Spillway Recreation Area

7:00 p.m.: NOVA Eclipse Over America Documentary Viewing

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an outdoor viewing of “NOVA: Eclipse Over America,” a documentary.

Monday, April 8

Public Eclipse Viewing

10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Enjoy local food trucks and 4 minutes of totality at the Dam West Recreation Area, Spillway Recreation Area, and North Marcum Recreation Area.

Click here for a map of Rend Lake Solar Eclipse viewing areas.