July is the month the water calls. Whether you are cruising on your own boat, renting one for the day, or simply looking for a stunning place to spend time near the water, the U.S. has no shortage of spectacular destinations. USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards recently ranked the best lakes in the country, and here are the top five worth adding to your list this summer.
1. Lake Erie (New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania)
Lake Erie packs more into its shores than almost any lake in the country. Cities like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Toledo line its coast, while the lake itself draws visitors with everything from world-class fishing and bird-watching to shipwreck diving—making it a well-deserved No. 1 on USA Today’s list.
2. Big Bear Lake (California)
The largest recreational body of water in Southern California, Big Bear Lake, keeps its calendar full year-round. Summer is peak season here, drawing anglers casting for rainbow trout and visitors ready to take advantage of the lake’s wide range of water activities.
3. Elkhart Lake (Wisconsin)
Elkhart Lake earns its reputation with crystal-clear water that glimmers in a distinctive blue-green shade. Its sandy bottom makes it ideal for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing, with hidden coves, abundant fishing areas, and a scenic shoreline lined with historic lakeside resorts.
4. Lake Michigan (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin)
The largest lake on Earth to sit entirely within one country, Lake Michigan borders Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan—and every stretch of shoreline has something different to offer. Natural landmarks like Indiana Dunes National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore share the coast with vibrant cities like Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago, making it easy to blend outdoor adventure with a great urban experience.
5. Lake Ouachita (Arkansas)
Sitting within the forested Ouachita Mountains, Lake Ouachita is Arkansas’s largest lake and one of its most unspoiled. More than 200 undeveloped islands are scattered across its exceptionally clear water, with quiet coves and open stretches that give boaters, kayakers, anglers, and paddleboarders plenty of room to spread out and find their own corner of the lake.
Before You Cast Off
A great destination deserves a well-protected boat. Westwood’s recreational vehicle insurance for boats includes full replacement cost coverage, on-water towing, and water sports coverage—so you can focus on the water, not the what-ifs. Westwood also offers coverage for other recreational vehicles like all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.
Get a recreational vehicle insurance quote or contact a Westwood agent to get started.
Please note: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent any specific insurance policy and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions of any current policy.
