Discover the 10 Cleanest Lakes in California

The cleanest lakes in California glitter with picturesque natural features among the numerous breathtaking outdoor areas found throughout the state. All of Golden State’s major cities are within reasonable driving distance of a wonderful, pristine lake. 

From Northern California lakes, such as Lake Shasta and Lake Tahoe, to Southern California bodies of water like Big Bear Lake, these lakes provide relief from the scorching summer heat. Here are our top picks for the cleanest lakes in California! 

1. Lake Tahoe

One of the most stunning lakes in California as well as one of the most visited lakes in the country is Lake Tahoe. It is framed by the rocky Sierra Nevada Mountains. Due to the fact that it crosses the state lines separating California and Nevada, it is typically divided into a north and south section. 

Near the coastlines of North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe South are campgrounds, houses, and lavish hotels. The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail also encircles the whole lake basin. Both motorized and non-powered boats are common at Lake Tahoe. 

Around the lake, a lot of marinas and fishermen provide boat rentals along with additional services like gorgeous lake outings. Lake Tahoe’s water is most enjoyable in the summer, but the cooler seasons still have plenty to offer visitors. 

2. Silverwood Lake

Locals love visiting the Silverwood Lake Recreation Area, which is right in the San Bernardino National Forest. When you’re here, you can enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking, and hiking in and around the clean water of Silverwood Lake. 

The recreation area offers a wide range of fun things, like campgrounds, boat docks, and rentals for fun on the water. There are also beaches for swimming, and paths for a variety of activities, such as riding horses, biking, and mountaineering.  

Silverwood Lake Recreation region is a great weekend getaway because it is so close to the Los Angeles metropolitan region and only 80 miles from the city center. Silverwood Lake is a must-visit location in the network of California State Parks, offering everything from barge cruises that highlight the lake’s bald eagle population to hikes in the San Bernardino National Forest.

3. Convict Lake

There are few lakes on the planet that compare to Convict in terms of beauty, especially ones that are so accessible. Convict Lake is a premier lake that is only a few miles from Highway 395. It has exceptional landscapes, fishing, and hiking opportunities. 

The lake’s rectangular shape and glass-clear water are both surrounded by a three-mile access trail and walled in by the sloping Sierra Nevada, which is accentuated by Mount Morrison at 12,241 feet. 

Convict Lake, one of the deepest lakes in the area, was initially carved out by glaciers and can reach depths of up to 140 feet. It’s a terrific lake for fishing from a boat, canoe, or kayak because it’s approximately 170 acres in size, but shore accessibility is also excellent because a trail runs the whole length of the shoreline.

4. Whiskeytown Lake

Travel west from Redding and take a dip in Whiskeytown Lake’s warm, clean, clear waters. A place for summer relaxation, it offers over 36 miles of shoreline, and lots of room for soaking up the sun. and enjoying picnics. 

Boasting over 3,000 surface acres of pristine water, this natural lake is ideal for boating, paddle boarding, fishing, and paragliding. Stop by for a barbecue or get out of the boat to go swimming on any of the lake’s islands. Bring a cooler, and head straight for Brandy Cove for the ultimate summer relaxation.

5. June Lake

Another one of the cleanest lakes in California is June Lake. The panorama from Oh Ridge beyond, with its brilliant waters bordered by the Sierra Nevada’s jagged peaks, is one of the most photographed locations in the area. 

June Lake serves as one of the biggest and few natural lakes in this region, with a total area of about 320 acres. It is popular for giving some of the most beautiful views of beaches in the Eastern Sierra. Visitors also visit this to troll fish. 

June Lake has a number of marinas and boat ramps available for visitors. With smooth sand, a swimming area, and breathtaking vistas, June Lake Beach is located on the eastern shore of the lake. 

Along the 1.5-mile-long lake, paddling, kayaking, and sailing are additional popular activities.

6. Lake Shasta

The biggest reservoir in the Golden State is Lake Shasta, which is located in Northern California, close to Redding. Shasta Lake’s 30,000+ acres are made up of sweeping fingers and riverways that aggregate behind the enormous Shasta Dam. 

This vast area begs for all kinds of exploration. One of the most well-liked water sports is motorized boating, which includes everything from kayaking to houseboats. Shasta Lake features a large number of nearby marinas and resorts that supply boat rentals and boat lifts, and the lake’s countless secluded coves make for excellent places to anchor and go swimming. 

As one of the cleanest lakes in California, Lake Shasta is accessible from numerous locations due to its expansiveness.

7. Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake deviates from the conventional Southern California terrain. It is a snow-fed outdoor area that is well-liked by all forms of boating during the summer. It is located at an elevation that exceeds 6,700 feet and is bordered by pine woods.

This is another of the cleanest lakes in California. You’ll find it just shy of 100 miles from Los Angeles, making it a popular choice among celebrities. Big Bear Lake has a seven-mile stretch that is lined with marinas including Pleasure Point Marina. 

Pontoon boats and paddleboards are available for rent at these ports. Big Bear Lake is a well-liked lake for swimming, and its shoreline is lined with a number of public beaches. On the southwest coast is Boulder Bay Park, which has one of the biggest swimming beaches.

8. Mono Lake

Mono Lake is yet another one of the cleanest lakes in California. The last thing you want when diving into the water on a toasty summer afternoon is dirty water. In Mono Lake, which is close to Lee Vining and located close to Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance, old tufa towers protrude from the lake. 

These unusual formations of rock are the outcome of material combining as a result of freshwater springs emerging from the alkaline lake. The South Tufa Area offers one of the most breathtaking views of this fascinating geo-history.

Hobbies like sailing and swimming are given a special sense of buoyancy by the lake’s alkaline concentrations. Additionally distinctive to Mono Lake is its aquatic life, which includes brine shrimp that thrive on the local green algae. 

Mono Lake is a top spot for bird-watching because of the numerous migrating birds that are drawn to the area by the plentiful brine shrimp there.

9. Lake Havasu

California and Arizona’s state borders are shared by the 45-mile-long Lake Havasu reservoir. It is situated on the Colorado River. The lake attracts visitors from all over the nation for swimming, water skiing, boating, fishing, and a variety of other recreational pursuits. Due to the difficult terrain, much of the beach cannot be reached by land.

Winters in Lake Havasu are comfortable, which attracts snowbirds. Throughout spring break, college students congregate in Lake Havasu. Summertime highs frequently reach 100 degrees. Year-round, Lake Havasu attracts visitors, many of whom come to witness the well-known London Bridge.

10. Lake Berryessa

Last but not least, Lake Berryessa is one of the cleanest lakes in California. It includes calm coves for kayaking, diving, and fishing as well as boating, jet skiing, surfing, tubing, and other frantic water activities. 

The water may become as hot as 75 degrees in the summertime, making it the ideal place to cool off after a climb or walk through some sun-drenched vineyards. The area also has camping choices, houseboat rentals, and cabin rentals if you wish to spend the night.

Summary of the Cleanest Lakes in California