Summer is fast approaching and it’s time to get prepared! For many, including myself, swimming is a favorite pastime. When you're hot and sweaty from exciting activity, the best remedy is swimming in a nice cool body of water. Since swimming is so much fun and the warm months of the year are approaching, I’ve decided to put together a list of the Top 5 American Lakes for Swimming this year!
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Lake Okeechobee or “The Inland Sea,” is worth seeing this year. The Inland Sea nickname is being used in no less than the state of Florida, which is arguably the boating capital of the United States. That’s where Lake Okeechobee is located, with a diameter of about 30 miles in every direction. The lake offers swimming, fishing, boating and sightseeing. The lake connects, by way of the Okeechobee Waterway, to the Intracoastal Waterway on both the Atlantic and the Gulf sides of Florida. That connection means boaters can enjoy the lake as part of a “mini-loop” cruise that includes all kinds of fun coastal places, from Stuart and Fort Lauderdale on Florida’s East Coast to St. Petersburg and Fort Myers on the West Coast. Not to mention it is an absolutely stunning lake, perfect for any water activities. Lake Okeechobee is a must see for any water adventurers.
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Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake, which crosses the border of California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake on the North American continent. Which means it’s thousands of feet above sea level, meaning the water is typically colder and also generally clearer because the temperature makes it harder for moss and algae to grow. Being an alpine lake also means staggeringly gorgeous views of mountains on all sides, not to mention the pine and fir trees filling in the landscape. Lakefront restaurants are found all across the shoreline with plenty of tie-ups for boaters. Lake Tahoe needs to be on your list of places to go to this summer! 
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Lake of the Ozarks is actually a reservoir found in central Missouri, with Osage Beach serving as the heart of its service area. Lake of the Ozarks is a beautiful body of water perfect for swimming and other water activities. There are always some pretty big boats cruising this lake, too, with slips as large as 55 to 60 feet allowed in the residential and commercial developments. Boats can also be rented with companies offering everything from ski boats and personal watercraft to pontoon boats. And there are plenty of places to take those boats, with dining, shopping and golf all along the waterfront. Or take a boat out deep and enjoy relaxing or swimming in the middle of the lake, taking in the fantastic surrounding scenery.
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Lake Chelan is located in the town of the same name, Lake Chelan. This town is known for its crystal clear water, great for perfect snorkeling and scuba opportunities! Purchase snorkel gear at any number of local shops, and scuba equipment is available for rent. The area is also an up and coming wine region. A number of delicious restaurants can also be found, perfect for relaxing evenings after long days of activity. This lake is an amazing destination to have many beautiful adventures swimming and more!
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Lake George is a must see. The lake's beaches offer great space to relax in the sun in addition to its picturesque views of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. While there are several places to swim around Lake George, the most popular beach is the state-run Million Dollar Beach, where lifeguards are on duty and admission is free! After a day spent in the sun and swimming, ride one of the lake's historic steamboats. Its famous boats include the Minne-Ha-Ha, one of the last steam paddle wheelers in the country which boasts a visible engine room, and the Mohican, which launched in 1908 and is the oldest continuously operated tour boat in the U.S. Make sure you add Lake George to your list of places to visit! 
I hope you enjoyed today's blog on the best lakes to check out this year! If you’d love to go swimming at some of these beautiful lakes, but find yourself needing some fresh swimwear be sure to check out our COLLECTIONS HERE!
