Discover The 5 Cleanest Lakes in Ohio

Ohio has some amazing lakes with unforgettable scenery. Locals and visitors spend summers enjoying various recreational activities on these lakes, but not all are safe. For example, some areas of Lake Erie have unsafe levels of contamination. However, the Buckeye State has many clean lakes perfectly safe for swimming and other water activities. So, if you are looking for a safe and fun way to cool off during the hot summer months, here are the 5 cleanest lakes in Ohio.

1. Mineral Springs Lake

Mineral Springs Lake is one of the cleanest bodies of water in the Buckeye State. This lake is spring-fed, offering refreshing, clear water. The park around the lake provides visitors with 400 RV campsites, making it the perfect place to spend a weekend with family or friends. Furthermore, the lake has a sandy beach and an inflatable water park. Additionally, the park has a camp store and snack bar for guests’ convenience. Lastly, visitors can rent golf carts, making getting around much easier.

2. White Star Quarry

The White Star Quarry is one of the cleanest lakes in Ohio and a popular place to fish, swim, scuba dive, and kayak. This lake is a short drive from Sandusky or Toledo, located in the small town of Gibsonburg. Throughout most of the year, the quarry’s visibility reaches 40 feet. As a result, it is one of the clearest lakes in the Midwest.

While the designated swimming area is relatively shallow, measuring around 15 feet deep, the scuba diving area is approximately 80 feet deep. This man-made lake sits within the 800-acre White Star Park, which features picnic areas, hiking trails, a playground, and campgrounds.

3. Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park Quarry

Nelson Ledges Quarry Park Lake is spring-fed, clear, and clean. It starts warming up by mid-May, and it’s tested twice a season. As a result, it has one of the lowest percentages of contaminants in the state. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park Lake has an average depth of 30 feet. Furthermore, the lake has many rock formations, shelves, plant life, and fish. Therefore, anglers have the chance to catch various fish species, like catfish, bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass.

The lake provides visitors with an incredible place to swim, hike, camp, sunbathe, and attend music festivals. Guests are treated to a spectacular landscape consisting of meadows, rock ledges, streams, fishing lakes, and 250 acres of forest. Furthermore, the park features more than 400 campsites, some along the quarry, some deep in the woods, and others in secluded meadows, making it an ideal location for weekend-long music festivals.

4. Chippewa Lake

Chippewa Lake is the largest lake in Medina County and the fourth-largest natural lake in Ohio. This lake is located in the state’s northeast region and spans over approximately 3,200 acres with a maximum depth of 30 feet. Chippewa Lake is fed by numerous small streams that drain into the lake. It is also a popular destination for recreational activities and is home to several campgrounds and parks. Furthermore, Chippewa Lake is a popular spot for families, offering activities like fishing, water skiing, boating, and swimming. Amenities include a boat ramp, marina, and campground.

5. Mosquito Creek

Mosquito Creek is one of the cleanest lakes in Ohio, located 25 minutes by car from Youngstown. As a result, many city residents visit the lake for an opportunity to enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating. Other recreational activities include disc golfing, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, which are all great options to de-stress. Mosquito Creek also draws in crowds during the winter with activities like sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice skating.

Visitors have the choice of two campgrounds, one in the woods and the other on the lake. Some campsites are very modern with full hookups, while others are primitive, perfect for self-sufficient campers.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Karl Zhong/Shutterstock.com