Pearl Lake RV Resort

We stayed here Memorial Day weekend 2021 and liked it enough to book it again for Labor Day. It was a bit cool for Memorial Day so swimming wasn’t really possible or enjoyable. The water is beautiful and clear. Looks tropical which is why there is scuba diving here. So we planned on taking advantage of the swimming Labor Day weekend. The beach is nice and big. But I guess they used to allow non campers to come to the beach, so they are strict about what you can bring in. They are very strict about alcohol and will search your bags on the way in. You also have to have a pass which they attach to you car tag. We were not told about this and had to go back to our site and get it. The issue that really bothered us was when I took a shortcut to the bathroom by hopping the fence nearest to the bathroom instead of going all the way around through the one entrance. The bathroom was literally right behind me and had a gate/fence that was locked and at some point is probably open to make it easier to get to the bathroom, but it wasn’t open that day. I was told by the beach “security guy” to go back over the fence and go through the main entrance. He treated me like a child. I apologized and said I wouldn’t do it again, but he still made me go back and hop the fence again. Not sure what he was trying to prove, but this bothered me enough to not want to go back.
Other than that bad experience, the campground was nice. Our site was mixed in with all the permanent sites. There is another section that is for overnight camping that is not as nice. There’s no trees and kind of separate from the rest of the campground. It also further away from the main beach area. Fishing was fun and they had a scavenger hunt for the kids with prizes. There was band playing and a bbq truck and ice cream truck Memorial Day weekend. We were also able to snorkel Labor Day weekend which was cool. We saw a bunch of bluegill and largemouth bass. The bathrooms have a sewer smell which are the only ones next to the beach.
Overall it’s a cool place, but the beach rules turned us off. I just want to relax with a drink on the beach and not be bothered by some security guy who takes his job too seriously.

We were looking for a nice campsite to spend the night in our travel van camper. At $60 per night we thought this would work for us. The site was private and secluded. The "comfort house" was about a quarter mile away. There is only one in the whole campground. No hot/warm water. No fire ring. Water and electric hookup was fine. No cell signal, no WiFi. Would not return.

Very pricey for an Rv site in a mostly permanent trailer park. Very difficult finding the office while in a 36 MR with car in tow. No signage to office. Could not locate dumpster. Small lake closed along with all other facilities. No WiFi, cable, or trash collection. You can also hear the highway. After months of traveling this park is very overpriced and overrated.

We stayed here for the season while we were working locally and getting ready to leave to travel full time. This place gets a bad rap due to the rules and prices but we had a good experience. It’s quiet (except for holidays) and everyone was friendly. Mike always went out of his way to say hello and give our daughter snacks. She loves Mike!! The site was unlevel but from what we noticed is none really are unless you get a concrete pad. The beach is nice for Illinois and they groom the beach daily. Scuba is popular here. It feels safe and that was important plus it’s close to shopping.