The Incredible Lake Experience In Illinois Where You'll See Sunken Planes, Ships, And Busses
By Linze Rice|Published September 04, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Whether man-made or natural, Illinois’ lakes are one of my favorite things about our state. While I prefer shallower bodies of water with plenty of sand bars, a friend of mine is hugely into scuba diving. In fact, as a certified scuba instructor, she’s explored bodies of water across the country. And though Illinois may not have access to the ocean, I’ve found that it still has plenty to offer divers craving some aquatic exploration. So when I discovered that one of my favorite childhood lakes doubled as an underwater scuba diving adventure in Northern Illinois, I knew it belonged on my travel bucket list.
Let me show you why!
Found just 10 minutes south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border in South Beloit, Pearl Lake is a 50-acre man-made lake created from a former rock quarry. The 207-acre property includes more than 300 RV sites and crystal-clear waters that attract swimmers and beachgoers during the summer.
As a kid, I visited Pearl Lake several times and it was a one-of-a-kind experience.
Its sky-blue waters have also become a must-see destination for scuba divers, who can get an up-close view of marine life as well as explore an underwater city full of sunken treasures.
One thing that definitely doesn't belong at the bottom of a lake is this twin-engine Beechcraft airplane, which offers an incredible — yet eerie — exploration experience.
One of the most whimsical aspects of the dive is the community of concrete and stone statues — ranging from gargoyles to aliens to mermaids to alligators, hand signs, and more.
An interesting claim to fame at the lake is that in 2020, Bill Lambert, a 99-year-old diver, earned the title of World's Oldest Scuba Diver from the Guinness Book of World Records after a plunge down into Pearl Lake.
So, would you check out this underwater scuba diving adventure in Northern Illinois? What’s your favorite water activity in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your visit by checking out the Pearl Lake Beach website and the Pearl Lake Beach Facebook page, as well as the Aquatic Adventures website. Want to turn your dive into a quick camping trip? This top-rated 28-foot RV for rent sleeps eight and is already in Beloit waiting for you!
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