An upcoming closure of the Rend Lake Dam West Boat Ramp.

The ramp will be closed to public access starting at 8pm May 6 through 3pm Friday May 8.

This closure is necessary to accommodate the 1,600 students attending the Rend Lake Great Outdoors Celebration May 7 and 8.

Visitors should expect increased pedestrian and bus traffic near the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center and Dam West Recreation Area during this time. 

The Rend Lake Great Outdoors Celebration is an annual event celebrating its 38th year of serving local third- and sixth-grade students. The event invites students and teachers from across Southern Illinois for special outdoor education and natural resource management programs.

This event is not open to the public.