Shady Beach — Hotel in St. Clair

The owners are always nice, unless you break their rules (I recommend you don't). It can get a little crazy on holiday weekends and on Saturday's when people are coming down for the day to hang out on the river or go on a float. The place is always so neat and tidy as they fleece the area very well to make sure there isn't left over trash either on the river or on the campgrounds. They keep the grass nice and low for the guests. The bathrooms and the showers are always as clean as they can get them (it's camping expect bugs regardless if you're in the bathrooms or not).

So here are some things to remember about Shady Beach:

If you're going there for a nice quiet getaway try going in the middle of the week. I know this sounds silly because most people work during the week but if it's doable it's SO much more peaceful. If you're going there for the weekend and want a little more peace and quiet then you'll want to stay away from high traffic weekends such as 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day weekends because it will get it will get loud, people are going to party and if you're looking for peace and quiet try a KOA campground where you're not so tightly packed in together while you're camping.

If you're going on a holiday weekend don't complain about how busy it is. It's not a place where you're campsite is set 100 feet or even 50 feet away from each other. This is a place where you are RIGHT ON TOP of each others campgrounds (this is why I love the place). I'm a social butterfly, I enjoy going to the next camp site or just shouting over to each other asking how their float went or how they are doing as we start making breakfast. We always take plenty of food not only to feed ourselves but we offer it to the next camp over or if we're in between camps we offer it to the others that are surrounding us because WE LIKE COMPANY! That's what makes this place so great!

Expect a LOT of traffic on Saturdays! People are coming in from the local area paying to PARK and hang out at the river. Regardless of what you might read Shady isn't paying for you to go to the river just to park your vehicles ON THEIR PROPERTY. Get over it, go to Chicago, it costs $25-$50 to park and go hang out on the pier so $7 to hang out at the river for the day is pretty damned cheap and reasonable.

RESPECT OTHER PATRONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT! Pick up your trash! You're coming down there so PLEASE pick up your trash and be polite to the other people that are down there. I understand when people start drinking and the temperature goes up people's boilers also go up but there is NOT ONE REASON to start fights, make fun of people or be the cause of trouble. Not only will this be breaking your rules but the owners have no problem at all calling in Franklin County Police Department and letting you take a ride!

As of July 1, 2014 there are no more fireworks allowed. This is a shame (we bought a lot of them to take down there) but due to people being stupid and not respecting other people and the environment they stopped allowing them. This is just a heads up for those who are thinking of taking some bang around with them.

ALWAYS make reservations! Even if you call at the beginning of the week and they say they have plenty of spaces always make sure you reserve a spot that you want (I like the ones with electric and water) because they can and will fill up quickly on a moments notice and if you get down there without making a reservation you might just be very disappointed you don't get what you were looking for. If you're wanting to go down on a busy holiday weekend like the ones I mentioned above make sure you reserve at least a month in advance because they WILL...

I took my family here to swim for my sons birthday this weekend. We stopped at the sign and obviously misread something! We pull in , park , and the kids go down to the water while my husband goes to the office to pay for our 2 vehicles to park . As I’m standing there waiting for him ( about 3 minutes elapse) a large tow truck pulls in and blocks us in and gets ready to tow our vehicles off !!!!! It was literally 3 minutes and they were trying to have us towed away because we didn’t put money in an honor system mailbox at the gate , that we still didn’t see as we left later . I thought this was outrageous!!!! Extremely unwelcoming place . Very rude , very dirty . There weren’t even any trash receptacles. We searched out the owners to pay our $14 to park, when we could have put less in their box , but we aren’t out to take advantage. We swam on a beach littered with broken glass and bottle caps etc. that is supposed to be a family friendly safe place to swim !!!! Soooo not worth all trouble , and definitely will not return. Shameful....

Nice getaway place! If you think you're gonna have a lot of trash during your stay make sure to bring a big trash bag because they don't have a trash can in each table. I was there with my friends celebrating a birthday. They have picnic tables with grill on the side. There were only few people camping during the time but more and more people were coming throughout the day. They have rest room, water for rinsing after swimming. There were boats, kayak, inflatable ring and life jacket for rent. The only thing that made us less satisfied is the lack of trash can (they do have a dumpster but it's on the entrance. It would be convenient for customers if they have one near the tables. For the trash can they can add the service to the price if they have to. Be careful! (There were two venomous snakes caught when we're there). Also, 3 cars got stuck in the sand so think about driving on the sand. Overall, we had fun in the water and the...