In New York, things are going swimmingly.
A popular getaway, just a four-hour ride north of the Big Apple, has the most pristine lake in the US.
Lake George — nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes — has been deemed the cleanest and most swimmable body of water in the entire country, according to a recent study reported in Travel + Leisure.
The water up in the Adirondacks is so pristine that New York State rates it Class AA-Special, meaning it’s practically drinkable.
The water is clean largely due to its depth, its 32-mile-long protected watershed and its surrounding 4,000-foot Adirondack peaks.
Unlike many American lakes that have been overtaken by algae blooms and runoff, Lake George is a glimmering exception.
Over 90% of its watershed is forest preserve, which means nature itself filters the water through wetlands and mountain streams before it ever reaches the lake.
And with depths plunging nearly 200 feet, the lake stays cool, clean, and perfectly transparent — no murky mystery waters here.
But Lake George’s beauty isn’t just a natural coincidence — it’s also thanks to the people who live there. Locals take preservation seriously: minimal fertilizer use, maintained septic systems, and eco-friendly landscaping are the norm.
Since 1885, the Lake George Association has been one of the nation’s oldest lake protection groups, educating residents and visitors on how to keep the lake clean.
Meanwhile, the Jefferson Project, a high-tech collab between RPI, IBM, and the Lake George Association, uses advanced sensors to monitor water quality and ecological threats in real time.
And all the effort of these groups doesn’t go unappreciated. People come from all over to swim from sandy beaches like the popular Million Dollar Beach, paddleboard or kayak around more than 100 forested islands, set sail on the historic Morgan cruise boat, or get a little cheeky on a floating tiki bar.
But while the waters may be clear, visitors are urged to exercise caution given that Lake George was just named as one of the most dangerous summer vacation spots in the country.
According to a recent study by Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., the hot spot came in seventh on the list, due to boating accidents that can result in accidental drownings.
Last month, a woman drowned at Lake George following a boating accident. The driver of the watercraft was arrested for being intoxicated.
The possible danger doesn’t deter those lured by the beautiful water, and Lake George’s new title as the cleanest in the country is sure to attract even more tourists.
Lake George also offers a plethora of on-land attractions.
The town village is walkable with plenty of restaurants, shops, and sandy shores — though having a car gives you more flexibility to explore the lake’s remote coves and scenic byways.
The top 10 cleanest lakes in the US
- Lake George — Lake George, New York
- Crater Lake — Klamath County, Oregon
- Lake Michigan — Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
- Lake Coeur d’Alene — Kootenai County, Idaho
- Lake Tahoe — California and Nevada
- Lake Chelan — North Cascades National Park, Washington
- Hanging Lake — Glenwood Canyon, Colorado
- Flathead Lake — Between Polson and Kalispell, Montana
- Newfound Lake — Grafton County, New Hampshire
- Deer Lake — Itasca County, Minnesota
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