The Best East Coast Lakes For Swimming

Lake swimming is one of the most serene pastimes out there. A stroll around a lake's calming waters or a dip in the serene environment is a relaxing and immensely enjoyable experience. A lake dip isn't just a tradition found in E.B. White or Robert Frost excerpts — the tranquil waters of a clear lake are prized across Europe's majestic beauties, too. In North America, some of the most gorgeous lakes are undoubtedly found along the East Coast. Geologically, the coastline was formed with the tearaway from other landmasses that would become South America and Africa hundreds of millions of years ago. This pulling movement has, over millennia, crafted a string of geographical wonders up and down the Atlantic Coast.

Modern visitors gain the benefit of this great fortune in the form of a wonderful hiking trail through the Appalachian Mountains. And, of course, this includes a bevy of clear blue lakes that are so enticing for swimmers, campers, and hikers. Some of the best lakes along the East Coast for a day out in the water might seem obvious, but there are plenty that will provide even the most avid explorers with a few new action items on their to-visit list. From Massachusetts' iconic Walden Pond to the numerous swimming holes scattered throughout Maine's open-air majesty, these lakes should be high on any explorer's priority list for a relaxing and exciting swim.

Starting with one of the Great Lakes, the New York coastline on Lake Ontario delivers a fantastic place for a swim. The water body is the first stop on the through route from the North Atlantic down the Mississippi back toward Florida's oceanic coastline (known as the Great Loop by boating enthusiasts). It's an oblong lake that runs 193 miles across (and 53 from north to south), giving it roughly the same overall size as Lake Erie, yet the first of the Greats is far deeper, with an average depth of 283 feet.

Unlike the Canadian side, which plays host to Toronto and Hamilton, New York's Lake Ontario coastline is far less urbanized and retains a sort of old-school charm that many lake swimming enthusiasts will be desperately seeking in their adventures. Yet, plenty of beaches on the Canadian side offer great places to get your toes wet — like Gord Edgar Downie Pier or Hanlan's Point, a Blue Flag beach on Toronto Island. Competitive swimmers might also consider ramping their training up to include the Lake Ontario marathon swim route from the Niagara River mouth to Toronto's western waterfront. Rochester and Oswego are both sizeable communities on the New York side, providing visitors with a few good options for exploration around Lake Ontario's passages and shoreline. Visitors might also consider a day out at Niagara Falls while in the area, as both the Canadian and American sides of the falls offer iconic views and a fabulous experience.

Hidden up in the northern climes of Maine, Echo Lake Beach is a freshwater swimming gem found on Mount Desert Island. The lake is designated as a swimming area during the summer months, and boating around the beach is prohibited, but launching a watercraft from the beachfront and boating are allowed from mid-September through to mid-May. The beach is nestled within Maine's Acadia National Park — a spot that has the distinction of allowing the country's first glimpse of the sunrise. Acadia National Park is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the entire country, and its pristine swimming area at Echo Lake (one of two immensely popular swimming beaches) is more of the same wonderful landscape and environment. 

Echo Lake Beach features lifeguards (although they may not always be on duty when you choose to swim there), so it's perhaps the better selection for those with young children or a slighter confidence in swimming ability. For travelers who like to pick out the local favorites rather than simply relying on tourist-focused stops, Echo Lake Beach is sure to excite. It's a common swimming hole for locals because of the lengthy shallow area that keeps the water noticeably warmer than other swimming lakes and the ocean beyond (plenty of lakes in Acadia National Park don't allow swimming because they provide drinking water to the community).

Cayuga Lake is the longest of New York's Finger Lakes, and its southern shores play host to Ithaca, a college town and one of the most picturesque communities up and down the entire East Coast. Farther north, along the eastern shore of the lake, sits Aurora, a relaxing lakeside town that's perfect for a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Visitors can spend days splashing around in the amazing blue waters of the lake or float on the water in a boat instead.

The 38-mile by 3.5-mile lake is located roughly 40 miles from Seneca Falls, a historic New York town that hosted the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848. It's also dotted with holiday homes, wineries, and breweries that make each visit to the shore a unique opportunity for discovery, alongside a wonderfully relaxing voyage into the majestic blue waters. The lake features a steep drop down to its lowest points away from the shore, falling to 435 feet at its deepest. This makes for a sometimes cold dip, but one that's always worth it!

Summersville Lake is known as West Virginia's most scenic aquatic landscape, and it is clear why. It's a beautiful swimming hamlet, and all manner of outdoor pursuits can be found here. Rock climbing is a favorite activity of those frequenting the lake's shores, and hiking around the water's edge brings outdoor enthusiasts right into the thick of some of West Virginia's most breathtaking natural views. Battle Run provides a sandy beach entry into the lake, perfect for a lazy day swimming and sunning. Visitors can also rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards to get a bit more action-packed excitement while on the water.

The lake was opened for swimming in 1966 when the Gauley River was dammed (with the construction of the Summersville Dam). The resulting reservoir has transformed the environment into an immensely popular summer haven for watersports and outdoor activities. Unfortunately, West Virginia is one of the least visited states in the Union. This means that travelers from outside the common draw areas for the insular East Coast state will often pass over the magnificent swimming, hiking, and recreational potential of Summersville Lake without ever having given it a true look. For adventurers seeking a brand new thrill, a trip to West Virginia's quaint towns, scenic mountainous terrain, and, of course, its beautiful Summersville Lake is a must. While in the state, a stop in West Virginia's must-visit national parks (Harpers Ferry and New River Gorge) can really round out a phenomenal adventure.

Tucked within Massachusetts' historical inland community of Concord, Walden Pond is an iconoclastic reservoir that visitors must see with their own eyes. The pond is a 64-acre aquatic wonderland plopped down inside the larger Walden Pond State Reservation (335 acres in total). In an 1862 tribute in the Atlantic to Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson noted the importance of Walden Pond to the historic writer. Thoreau had lived along its shores for two years, and to him, "The pond was a small ocean; the Atlantic, a large Walden Pond." Thoreau himself called the pond "lower heaven" and wrote in "Walden:" "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately." The Massachusetts waters and woodland surroundings loomed large in both men's psyches, and it's easy to see why.

An extensive trail system works its way through the forested reservation landscape, complete with rolling hills and steep cliffsides — one aptly named Emerson's Cliff. There are also plenty of fantastic spots along the water's edge to slip off your shoes and enjoy a dip. Lifeguards remain on duty through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and visitors can also engage in kayaking or canoeing on the beautifully placid lake. Today, the National Park Service, alongside state resources, helps to preserve the beauty and scenic repose of the fabulously famous lakeside woodland. Historically, though, the woods surrounding Walden Pond were far more important to residents beyond just New England's famous writers and transcendentalists. Concord and these woods specifically rang out as a symbol of freedom for runaway enslaved people and other marginalized groups in the 1800s. History buffs can visit homes that served the Underground Railroad and traverse the same paths that many before have stamped their feet across.

Found in central North Carolina — about 30 miles west of Raleigh — Jordan Lake and the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offer a delightful way to unwind and relax. The shores of the lake are dotted with the towering tree line of the deep Appalachian ridge. Visitors can hike through seven access areas filled with hiking trails, swimming areas, and over 1,000 campsites to lay out for the evening after a long day of exploring.

The lake features typical shorelines from wooded lakeside scenery to beach entrances that are perfect for a day of fun in the Sun and a dip or two in the water. Boating is also widely on offer at Jordan Lake, so powering along the water's surface to whip up a windy level of excitement is in the cards for anyone looking to get in on the fishing or watersports scene. Destinations along the lakeshore, like Ebenezer Beach, can make for a great family-oriented swimming opportunity. This is a sandy beachside water area complete with a playground and grilling facilities. White Oak Beach is also a nice choice, but one geared more toward visitors looking for a laid-back environment and a quiet atmosphere.

Deep Creek Lake is tucked away in Maryland's western reach, about halfway between Baltimore and Pittsburgh (as the crow flies). Unlike plenty of northeastern lake towns and the waterways they have grown up alongside, this community is a four-season destination that offers something uniquely wonderful for visitors regardless of the time of year they decide to visit. The summer months support a vibrant glassy waterbody perfect for swimming, boating, relaxation, and watersports — the full monty of lakeside activities. The winter is also great for a visit, and the community's Wisp Resort offers incredible skiing slopes covered in a soft blanket of snowy powder. The lake is also home to the tallest free-falling waterfall in Maryland (Muddy Creek Falls), making for a great highlight on a hiking tour around the beautiful blue waters.

Visitors in the warmer, swimming months will find a bevy of aquatic toys to play with. Boating is augmented with raft options to give kids an exciting tow behind the watercraft, while those seeking a more relaxing day on the lake's waters will relish the opportunity to get involved in the water's ample fishing spots. The area even features great kayaking and rafting adventures as well as golf getaways to spend a few hours on dry land as well as the water's gentle lapping ripple. The community is a vibrant area that features adventure courses and zip-lining, as well as an arcade landscape with go-karting and more to provide fun for the whole family, whether the trip to the lake is a long weekend affair or something far longer.

A few hours north of Portland, Maine, Moosehead Lake is sheltered in the inland confines of the contiguous states' perhaps most secluded cold weather destination. Maine is a phenomenally relaxing outdoor culture trip, and there's something indiscriminately special about the state. From its national parks that take your breath away to the miles of untrammeled forestlands stretching into the lower Canadian wilderness, Maine's mountains, lakes, and craggy oceanside coastline all come together to produce an unrivaled outdoor experience. However, the Pine Tree State's lakes have to be one of the highlights of any visit, and Moosehead Lake is up there among its most heart-pounding sights.

Fishing on the blue, glassy waterway brings you out into nature in a way that simply can't be paralleled by others. The pure waters exude solace and peaceful reflection. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of hiking trails, kayaking, or the powered adventure of a jet ski. Swimming is, of course, a major draw for visitors. The 117 square miles of lake real estate offer a vast, open scenery that never fails to impress.

Virginia's Lake Anna is situated between Richmond and Washington D.C. and close to James Madison's Montpelier home, a historical landmark and a wide-ranging estate that history-loving visitors might consider stopping by on their way to or from the lake. Lake Anna is a fabulous destination for watersports of all kinds, from kayaking to waterskiing and general boating. It's also a great spot for a dip in the cooling waters, especially on a warm summer day. Lake Anna State Park is open every day from 7 a.m. to dusk, and swimming along the lake's beachside relaxation areas is a great way to spend a lazy weekend.

The lake is also a haven for hiking trails. Wandering your way through the forested surroundings before stopping at one of the park's picnic areas is a great option for avid trail walkers. Visitors can also opt to stay at one of the park's campsites, yurts, lodges, or cabins. Numerous vineyards have also established themselves along the surrounding areas near Lake Anna, and a round of golf at a phenomenal northern Virginia course can really round out a long weekend away at the lake.

What's not to love about a Swiss lake? Switzerland has it all, from the towering peaks of the Alps to the glassy, impossibly blue depths of high-altitude bodies of water. More impressive than this might be the unlikely find of one of these vivid lake scenes in North America rather than the highlands of Central Europe. Lake Willoughby is often referred to as the "Lucerne of America" because it so closely resembles the makeup of a classic Swiss lake. The blue tones of Lake Willoughby are crystal clear, and above the water itself stands a vast scenery of wonderfully placed cliffs. Hiking trails weave their way through these lakeside heights, making for a tremendous place to visit for anyone who loves mixing outdoor adventures with a cooling dip in the lake's rejuvenating waters afterward.

Robert Frost, another titan of the American literary tradition, is perhaps most responsible for the lake's fame today. Writing about the waterbody that his family used to frequent when he was a child, Frost hailed the clear water: "You take the lake. I look and look at it. I see it's a fair, pretty sheet of water ... Our Willoughby!" It's Vermont's deepest lake, cut out of the landscape by the geologic movement of glaciers more than 12,000 years ago. The result is a stunning aquatic getaway perfect for swimming, boating, or kayaking.

Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the largest reservoirs in Pennsylvania. It delivers 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline, making for a tremendously scenic place to visit. The lake's recreational area covers 5,700 acres and features small towns like Hawley along the shoreline. Not far from Scranton, there are no real built-up areas anywhere around the lake, so visitors are in for a relaxing treat when they come. Perhaps a fun aside for fans of "The Office" is the inclusion of the lake in the dialogue and episodic planning of the sitcom. Michael Scott's infamous business motivation seminar takes place on a lake cruise at Lake Wallenpaupack (although the episode was actually shot in Long Beach Harbor in California). In this season 2 episode, things between Jim and Pam begin to really change after Jim confesses his feelings to Michael and directly to the show's documentary crew.

Lake Wallenpaupack itself is a phenomenal swimming destination, however. Fans of the show will certainly want to check out this in-universe hotbed of activity, but other travelers will find the lake to be just as rewarding. Hundreds of acres of forest land make for fantastic hiking trails, and six public recreation areas provide plenty of options when seeking to get into the water for a boating adventure or a swim.