Pontoon Beach

Located along the second-biggest natural lake in Illinois, Horseshoe Lake offers a tranquil suburban lifestyle with proximity to U.S. Interstate-55 and abundant outdoor recreational activities. Locals here take advantage of its proximity to Horseshoe Lake State Park — of which the community is named after — and the lights of St. Louis just across the Mississippi River. “Buyers love the Horseshoe Lake area, it’s great for fisherman or hunters — It also offers the best walking or biking trails with great highway access and a 15-minute drive into St. Louis,” says long-time local Tami Dittamore, Real Estate Broker with The Dittamore Group. Horseshoe Lake paints a picture of traditional suburbia, but the unassuming greenery and rural aspects give this community a hearty foundation for future development and modern living. Anyone in search of a relaxed lakeside home near a major city will be in luck at Horseshoe Lake. When seeking time outdoors, many residents are within walking distance or a short drive from Horseshoe Lake State Park, which features 2,900 acres of greenery, marshlands and 4 miles of hiking trails to explore. Fishing and boating are common here with several boat ramps available along Lake Drive. Visitors often stroll along the paved paths that navigate the lake with views of St. Louis and the iconic Gateway Arch on the horizon. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the public Arlington Greens Golf Course nearby, offering 18-holes and tee times available for reservation. The facility spans around 7,200 yards and offers golf lessons for players of all ages and expertise. Or check out World Wide Technology Raceway nearby, which offers 57,000 stadium seats for racing fanatics to cheer on their favorite NASCAR drivers in a variety of stock-car and drag racing events throughout the year. Horseshoe Lake features a variety of home styles ranging from cozy bungalows and traditional Ranch-styles to split-levels and Colonial Revivals. Homes here are primarily single-family and homeownership is common. The community boasts a variety of subdivision options from those with lakefront views in Windsor Estates to those neighboring a golf course in Arlington. With a median sales price of $250,000, homes here range from around $40,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow fixer-upper to upwards of $400,000 for a four-bedroom traditional Ranch-style. While most homes here were constructed within the last 20 years, new construction is developing closer to I-55. “The new buildings feature some of the biggest price tags in the community, but it’s still attractive to homebuyers compared to the usual cost of new construction in the area,” says RE/MAX Alliance agent Carrie Brase, who recently listed three new homes by Horseshoe Lake. "All three houses went under contract immediately." Horseshoe Lake homes typically feature mid-sized lots with attached multi-car garages and backyard fencing for added seclusion from neighbors. Every year, residents gather in downtown St. Louis to celebrate the Fourth of July. The event kicks off at 10:00 am with a parade along Market Street. Visitors can enjoy live performances from local dance groups, marching bands and sights of patriotic-themed floats. The festival wraps up that night with a large fireworks display. Locals often gravitate to the Gateway Arch for the best views of the light show. Residents here can shop at Lakeside Plaza, which offers a variety of department stores and retailers, like Kohl’s, Dollar Tree and Katik Beauty Supply Store. Groceries and everyday essentials can be found at nearby stores, like Wal-Mart, Schnucks Collinsville and Aldi. When dining in the area, locals can visit Taste of Country for a variety of homestyle dessert options and holiday events hosted throughout the year. Or check out family-owned Uncle Linny's Restaurant for home-style cooking and classic American fare. For hefty portions at an affordable price, head to Spring Garden Family Restaurant which has been serving the community since 2001. Students in Horseshoe Lake attend elementary and middle school in stages, each tier consisting of two year increments. Students will attend Prather, Maryville and Mitchell Elementary, which received grades of C-plus, A-minus and C-plus from Niche. For middle school, they head to Grigsby Intermediate and Coolidge Junior High, both C-rated. Before finally attending Granite High School, ranked C-plus. Every school since 2021 has received upgrades from the Granite City Community Unit School District, ranging from a new turf field at the high school to antimicrobial surfaces installed at the elementary schools. Private options like Good Shepherd Lutheran School and St. Elizabeth Elementary School are also available. Horseshoe Lake residents rely on State Road 111 and Horseshoe Lake Road for easy access to I-55 and neighboring areas like Pontoon Beach and Collinsville. When seeking public transportation, residents can hop on the bus, monitored by the Madison County Public Transit along Collinsport Dr. Those interested in traveling further outside the community are 23 miles from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. For healthcare, Anderson Hospital is only 9 miles from Horseshoe Lake.