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Michigan Has One of the Best Swimming Lakes in America

Author Anne Erickson
(Photo by Lennart Preiss/Getty Images)

Lakes are a great spot for a swim. I mean, you can also camp and hike around a lake. But, if you want to take a cool dip during a hot summer, a great lake is the place to do it. As it turns out, Michigan as one of the best swimming lakes in America.

The survey comes from USA Today. They are highlighting 10 lakes, voted by their readers as the best lakes for swimming in the United States. It’s all part of their travel awards, and Michigan is on here.

Before we get to Michigan, let’s look at the No. 1 best swimming lake in America. According to the poll, it’s Lake Ouachita in Arkansas. That’s quite a trek from here. “Created in the 1950s as a source of hydroelectric power, Lake Ouachita doubles as a massive outdoor recreation spot, spanning 40,000 acres just outside the city of Hot Springs,” USA Today states. “While boaters and fishers can be found in abundance across the lake, it’s also a haven for swimming and scuba diving.”

Best Swimming Lakes in America

So, what Michigan spots are great for swimming? Coming in at No. 2 on the list is Lake Superior, which is part of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. It offers 31,700 square miles of lake, making it massive and beautiful. “The colossal Lake Superior is equipped with more than its fair share of swimming spots spread along the Canada and United States shores,” the article states. “Though each one tends to swing towards the colder side, destinations like Agate Beach, Wisconsin Point, and Wild Goose Beach all offer some welcome relief from the summer heat.”

Another familiar area that made the cut is Lake Michigan in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Another one is Lake Charlevoix in Michigan, and Lake Huron in Michigan. Find the full list of the best swimming lakes in America here.

3 Michigan Lakes Named the Most Beautiful in America

  • 11 Most Beautiful Lakes in America

    I’ve put together a list of the 11 most beautiful lakes to visit in America. This tally includes lakes from coast to coast. Some fun activities, depending on the currents, include swimming, wind surfing, going on a boat on the lake, having a picnic at the shoreline and more. What’s your favorite lake? Reach out to Anne Erickson on social media and add to my list.

    Lake Lanier

    Lake Lanier

  • Seneca Lake, New York

    Seneca Lake is the biggest of the 11 glacial Finger Lakes. It’s 38 miles long and more than 618 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in America. What’s extra cool is that the U.S. Navy even does some testing for submarines in this lake, because of its depth.

    Seneca Lake

    Seneca Lake is the largest Finger Lake by volume. Take boat tours or discover the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Learn more about what this lake has to offer here.

  • Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming

    If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone Park, you’ve probably visited Yellowstone Lake. The massive lake is a part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It’s actually the biggest lake in the park and one of the biggest highly elevated freshwater lakes in North America.

    Yellowstone Lake - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

    Yellowstone Lake

  • Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

    The famous Lake Tahoe is located right on the state line between California and Nevada. It’s stunning, as it is surrounded by the glorious Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is the largest alpine lake in North America, making it a must-see lake.

    Visit Lake Tahoe | The Official Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

    The official guide for everything you need to know about Lake Tahoe. Browse hotels, things to do, restaurants, events & more in South Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada has adventure during all seasons, so check out everything Tahoe has to offer and book your stay now.

  • Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina

    Here’s a special lake located within the Nantahala National Forest and surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. This is also a very pure lake, as its shoreline is mostly protected from development. It’s a beautiful destination for fishing, jumping in a canoe or kayak or a picnic.

    Lake Santeetlah | RomanticAsheville.com

    Explore pristine Lake Santeetlah in the Nantahala National Forest near Robbinsville with boating, camping, beach, fishing and more.

  • Hanging Lake, Colorado

    Hanging Lake is so glorious. It’s located in the middle of Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest, and it’s actually part of the Southern Rocky Mountains. This lake “was formed by a geologic fault which caused the lake bed to drop away from the valley floor above,” according to the USDA Forest Service, and is a designated National Natural Landmark.

    Hanging Lake Trail Permits & Reservations - Official Page

    The official page for Hanging Lake reservations and hiking permits. Shuttle, biking or off-season reservations. Plan ahead and book now!

  • Lake Superior, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan

    The Great Lakes are, of course, some of the most famous lakes in the world. One that’s often left of best-of lists is Lake Superior. It’s the largest freshwater lake in the world and has a whopping 10% of the world’s surface freshwater. Drink up.

    Lake Superior

    Known for its sparkling waves and rugged shorelines, Lake Superior contains more water than the other Great Lakes combined. Superior is the northernmost lake and the least affected by invasive species, habitat degradation, and other human-driven changes. The deepest and coldest Great Lake, Superior's nutrient-poor waters have allowed native coldwater fishes to flourish.

  • Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Michigan/Illinois

    Lake Michigan is simply a landmark. It’s actually the most deadly lake in America, due to the high volume of drownings. But, aside from the scary, it’s a beautiful and large lake. The lake is spread over more than 307 miles, and there are many beach towns across those miles.

    Pure Michigan

    Whether you are traveling with your family or making memories with friends - you are on the brink of planning a vacation so unique, it can only be classified as Pure Michigan.

  • Lake Lanier, Georgia

    Located in the northern part of Georgia, Lake Lanier runs nearly 40,000 acres. It stems from the construction of the Buford Dam. This lake is known for its super clear water. The water is actually crystal blue. How beautiful, right?

    Welcome to Lake Lanier, Georgia!

    Lake Lanier is one of America's favorite lakes. With several million visitors annually enjoying its recreational facilities, Lake Lanier is the most popular lake in the southeast. You will enjoy the time you spend at Lake Lanier. We guarantee it. Lanier is the largest lake ...

  • Lake Jocassee, South Carolina

    Lake Jocassee is in the Appalachian Mountains, and it’s actually a man-made reservoir. Its water flows from the mountains. This is another lake known for its very clear water, so you get to see all the fish and underwater creatures when you look down into the water flow.

    Devils Fork

    Hiking trails, sightseeing at waterfalls and some of the best South Carolina trout fishing in Lake Jocassee await you at Devils Fork State Park.

  • Lake Okeechobee, Florida

    Lake Okeechobee is the biggest freshwater lake in Florida. It’s a very popular spot for largemouth bass fishing. Those who visit the lake get to learn the history and today’s experience of the Seminole community at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which is a bonus.

    Lake Okeechobee

    Lake Okeechobee means "big water" in the Seminole Indian language, an appropriate name for a water body whose opposite shore can't be seen from the water's edge. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest lake in the southeastern United States.

  • Lake Erie, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York

    The Lake Erie shoreline touches Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. The body of water offers some of the warmest waters you’ll find in the Great Lakes. Lake Erie also offers some fantastic areas to swim, making it a popular vacation lake.

    Great Lakes - Lake Erie

    It is the smallest of the four Great Lakes that touch Michigan's shores and accounts for a stretch of coastline from the Ohio border to the mouth of the Detroit River in the southeast region of the state.

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.

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Author Anne Erickson
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