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- We've Got Another Clear Lake For Visitors To The Southern US To Enjoy
Summary
- Enjoy a summer getaway at the clean and beautiful Rainbow Springs Lake in Florida, known for its clear waters and family-friendly swimming.
- Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana is a top-ranked lake vacation destination with clean, blue waters and a 24-mile bridge for walking and jogging.
- Head to Lake Oconee in Georgia for a cool and refreshing summer vacation, with plenty of water sports and activities to enjoy in its clear waters.
The best way to beat the summer and the sweltering heat is by enjoying some time around the surrounding lakes. What better time to indulge in some of the cleanest lakes than the summer? Seize the day and leave an indelible impression by making one last trip to one of the best lakes in the Southern United States. We all know how charming this area of the United States is, with food, culture, and people worth writing home about, but what about the lake scene? Are there any super clear and clean bodies of water in the South to swim in this summer?
For travelers looking to truly unwind with a fishing rod and a hat or simply relax beachside, here are our top choices for the cleanest lakes in the Southern US.
UPDATE: 2023/09/01 15:57 EST BY NOAH STAATS
We've Got Another Clear Lake For Visitors To The Southern US To Enjoy
This article has been refreshed with a new location, as well as expanded info on the existing lakes in the Southern United States. Remember to keep an eye out for local wildlife, and keep the lake as clean as it was when you arrived!
11 Rainbow Springs Lake
- Part of the Rainbow Springs State Park.
As one of Florida's cleanest and prettiest lakes, Rainbow Springs Lake is worth a trip. This lake boasts a first-magnitude artesian spring formation in Marion County, Florida, United States, several miles north of the city of Dunnellon. Furthermore, the lake is known to be clear enough to see the bottom while swimming, making it a great choice for families.
10 Lake Pontchartrain
- Lake Pontchartrain is one of the top-ranked lakes in the United States.
- The lake hosts a 24-mile bridge for walking and jogging.
Acclaimed to be one of the best lake vacations in the Southern USA is Lake Pontchartrain. In Louisiana, this lake is also one of the cleanest ones down south. Visitors who’d like to take a 20-minute leisurely stroll can do so by walking alongside the banks of this lake. This also boasts a 24-mile-long bridge that entices many visitors mainly due to its clean, blue waters.
9 Lake Oconee
- Lake Oconee is about 80 miles from Atlanta, Georgia.
- This body of water spans 35 acres and has an infinity swimming pool nearby.
One of the best lake vacations in the US is Lake Oconee. To head for a cool summer getaway, this lake is perfect. With just about 80 miles away from Atlanta, this spreads across 35 acres. From the glorious lakeside infinity swimming pool to the indoor pool in the spa to the waters of this lake, the tourists can spend their entire vacation staying cool and wet in the clear waters. Vacationers can partake in a multitude of water sports and activities, such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and water-skiing as well.
8 Lake Douglas
- Lake Douglas is situated inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
- Approximately 30 minutes from Sevierville, Tennessee
Tennessee is home to a good deal of beautiful stuff, but one that beats the list is the lovely, clean waters of Lake Douglas. Situated amid the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this lake offers a lot more than just the water. For the outdoorsy ones in the house, opt for a multitude of water sports activities such as water skiing, fishing, and boating. Approximately 30 minutes from Sevierville, Tennessee, this lake is best known for its gorgeous hues and serenity.
7 Lake Rabun
- Lake Rabun boasts a stunning season change (especially in the fall).
- Visitors can rent boats and water toys from local companies.
One of the best places in the Southern US to watch the scenery change is Lake Rabun. Renowned for its classic style, this lake is great for some old-school family fun. Visitors are expected to get their own boats and launch it themselves. However, one can always get help from a boat rental company nearby.
For accommodations, there are plenty of options available. Head to the Glen-Ella Springs Inn for a farmhouse vibe that is cozy in itself. Or, for a rather refined lodge experience, one can opt for Lake Rabun Hotel.
6 Lake Santeetlah
- Lake Santeetlah boasts a 76-mile-long shoreline.
- Tourists can find boat rentals, ski boats, kayaks, pontoon boat rentals, camping, and hiking opportunities here.
To delve into some of the best lakeside experiences in the US, head to Lake Santeetlah. This North Carolina lake can be traced in the mellow layers of the mountains. With its 76-mile-long shoreline, it has more than just clean, blue waters for visitors. Local camping, pontoon boat rentals, ski boats, and kayaks are all found on the pristine waters. Enjoy the silence via canoe, sea kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
5 Lewis Smith Lake
- Lewis Smith Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the Southern United States.
- Has a maximum depth of 265 feet.
In northern Alabama, Lewis Smith Lake lies along the Black Warrior River and is deemed one of the cleanest lakes in the Southern US. It boasts a maximum depth of 265 feet. Also known for being one of the largest earthen dams in the USA, this lake is ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and most of the other water-sport activities out there. For the serious daredevils in the house who are rooting for an adrenaline pump, this lake offers a 68-foot cliff jump as well.
4 Dale Hallow Lake
- Dale Hollow Lake is one of the prettier gateways to the southern half of Kentucky.
One of the greatest getaways in Kentucky’s southern half is Dale Hallow Lake. Formed by the damming of the Obey River, this lake is one of the major flood control reservoirs. For travelers looking to unwind with some recreational activities, there are tons of options available, such as wakeboarding, tubing, boating, fishing, and more. This lake boasts a wide variety of fish, including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, gar, and trout.
3 Clopper Lake
- Clopper Lake is situated inside the Seneca Creek State Park in Maryland.
Maryland's Clopper Lake is situated within Seneca Creek State Park. Aside from the clean waters, this lake is proud to present a surrounding enveloped by beautiful trees, aquatic vegetation, and shallow enclaves as well. At 18 feet in depth, this lake is viable for a huge range of fish breeds.
Tiger muskie fingerlings, a hybrid cross of northern pike and muskellunge, an overabundance of largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie can all be found in the lake.
For vacationers who aren’t into fishing, alternatives such as horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing are available.
2 Lake Martin
- Most visitors come to Lake Martin from Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama.
Amid the lush greenery of Alabama, Lake Martin is one of the top choices for the localities of Montgomery and Birmingham. The weekends see a huge sea of travelers along this lake. Therefore, make it a point to arrive early as the boats raft up at Chimney Rock, a prominent cliff-jumping spot near the dam.
Just about 10 minutes from the lake, one can find accommodation by the name Mistletoe Bough Bed & Breakfast, which is best known as a restored Victorian mansion from the early 1900s.
1 Summersville Lake
- Summersville Lake is credited as the largest lake in West Virginia.
- It is formed by the Summersville Dam.
Credited as the largest lake in West Virginia, Summersville Lake has been formed by the Summersville Dam. This lake is ideal for swimming, fishing, and watercraft use of all kinds. For visitors looking for water sports, they will not be disappointed as the lake offers scuba diving, boating, and swimming. With a long shoreline of 60 miles, this lake has more than 28,000 acres of water spread—plenty for everyone to explore.