The Best Freshwater Beaches in America

May 19, 2024

We all want to spend our summer at the beach, but sometimes we’re just too landlocked for that. Looking for a way to fill your summer with fun and water sports without having to actually head to the coast? Take a look at these 11 lakeside beaches, all of which would make for a perfect day of beachin’ it.

Image Credit: gsbarclay.

Kings Beach

Lake Tahoe, California

You’re here for the sweeping views of the lake and mountains beyond. During the summer, you can paddleboard, kayak, shop, and eat at the local restaurants to your heart’s content.

Image Credit: Kusska.

White Lake Beach

Elizabethtown, North Carolina

For a serene, family-friendly hideaway just an hour from Wilmington, head to White Lake for beautiful water and pristine white sand. Swimming, fishing, water sports, and cottages for rental are all available.

Image Credit: White Lake Beach in the 30s by Forest History Society (CC BY-NC-ND).

Presque Isle State Park

Erie, Pennsylvania

Sandy beaches, marshlands, and plenty of birdwatching await you at Presque Isle State Park. As Pennsylvania’s only “seashore,” you can swim, sunbathe, and imagine the salt air.

Image Credit: Unsplash.

Cedar Point Beach

Cedar Point, Ohio

The best part of Cedar Point Beach? Access to Cedar Point Amusement Park, which can pump you full of adrenaline while you look out at the blue waters. Any coaster fans in the house?

Image Credit: Cedar Point Beach by Michelle (CC BY-NC-ND).

Grand Haven State Park

Grand Haven, Michigan

Chances are high that you’ve come to see the bright red, iconic lighthouse, but chances are higher that you’re staying to swim and soak up some seaside air.

Image Credit: The pier at Grand Haven State Park by Rachel Kramer (CC BY).

Park Point Beach

Duluth, Minnesota

The sandbar at Park Point Beach stretches for miles and brings access to great sand dunes and panoramic views of the lake. Pack a picnic and stay a while; not many people in Minnesota get to spend a day at the beach.

Image Credit: Park Point Beach by Tony Webster (CC BY-SA).

Bear Lake State Park

Garden City, Utah

You don’t see water this blue in many other parts of the country, which is probably why they call Bear Lake “The Caribbean of the Rockies.” You’re surrounded by forest and mountains on all sides, so enjoy the turquoise waves.

Image Credit: Rendezvous Beach by howderfamily.com (CC BY-NC-SA).

Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

There aren’t many beach towns in the Southwest, but Lake Havasu is ever-popular. You can jet ski, fish, beachcomb, and just about everything else that draws a summer crowd. It’s kind of like an oasis, right there in the desert, only it doesn’t fade when you reach it. It just charges you money.

Image Credit: Lisay.

Lake Chelan

Wenatchee, Washington

The Cascades are home to Lake Chelan, where some of the most beautiful, clear water you’ll ever see waits for you. Boating, swimming, and the typical water sports are always popping off during the summer, but the surrounding vineyards only make the experience better.

Image Credit: lake chelan by Andy Simonds (CC BY-NC).

Acadia National Park

Mount Desert, Maine

Rugged shorelines and rocky beaches can also provide for a great beach day, especially if they provide views of the Atlantic Ocean like the ones at Mount Desert. Hiking fans are in the right place here, in one of the oldest national parks in the country.

Image Credit: Acadia National Park, Maine, USA by Domenico Convertini (None).

Kohler-Andrae State Park

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

The shores of Lake Michigan have so many beach hideaways, but it’s in Sheboygan that you’ll find Kohler-Andrae State Park. Picturesque skies and lake views have made this place famous, but if you’re a fan of wandering around wetlands, you’ve got some tranquil ones right here onsite.

Image Credit: Kohler-Andrae State Park by bsheets (CC BY-NC).