TRAVELERS should add a stunning nature destination to their bucket lists.
Those who are already visiting a well-known US tourist hotspot should also stop by one of the best lakes in the country.
Lake George in New York state was named the third best lake in the US by USA Today[/caption]
Lake Michigan, which is in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, was ranked fifth[/caption]
Lake Havasu in Arizona and California, tenth on the list of best lakes, is known for cliff jumping near Copper Canyon[/caption]
USA Today 10 Best named Big Bear Lake as No. 1 on their ten best lakes in the United States.
Located in Southern California, the body of water is only 145 miles northeast of San Diego and 100 miles from Los Angeles.
Travelers visiting Hollywood can take an easy day trip to Big Bear Lake for picturesque views and a chance to unwind from the city.
Altitudes range from 6,750 to 9,000 feet and the valley enjoys 300+ days of sunshine each year.
During the summer season, temperatures average 80 degrees during the day, but even during the colder months, the lake sees beautiful snowfall with daytime temps in the low 40s.
According to the Big Bear Lake website, the area is home to incredible wildlife and activity.
“The valley is home to bald eagles, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and more plus about 29 species of protected rare plants, some indigenous to the area,” the website reads.
“Big Bear is home to one of the nation’s few solar observatories and alpine zoos for injured wildlife.”
Big Bear Lake is surrounded by vacation homes and mountain ridges in Southern California[/caption]
Big Bear Lake was ranked as the best lake in the US by USA Today[/caption]
Travelers who visit during the summer can enjoy outdoor recreation like fishing, water sports, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
The lake got its name after politician and fur trapper Benjamin Davis Wilson and a posse of 20 men entered the valley in 1845.
They found the area was crawling with grizzly bears!
Big Bear Lake was a mecca for gold mining before it was a popular four-season resort.
History records show that in 1860, a bear hunter named William Holcomb discovered gold in the area now called Holcomb Valley.
Once word spread, Southern California’s largest gold rush began.
Ten best US lakes
USA Today readers voted for the best lakes in the country to visit, compiling the following list:
- Big Bear Lake in California
- Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin
- Lake George in New York
- Marion Lake in Minnesota
- Lake Michigan in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
- Lake Erie in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania
- Lake Superior in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
- Lake Cumberland in Kentucky
- Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont
- Lake Havasu in Arizona and California
Source: USA Today 10 Best
Until about 1875, the area was heavily populated with prospectors and their families.
Big Bear Lake sees an average of 3 million visitors per year, according to Big Bear’s website.
Overnight visitors make up a significant portion of this, with 756,400 overnight stays in 2021, according to a report by Destination Big Bear.
USA Today’s promises, “Whether you visit during peak summer or the most frigid depths of winter, there’s a massive array of activities to enjoy across Big Bear Lake, the largest recreational body of water in Southern California.”
“During the snowy season, the region is particularly popular for skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings top-tier fishing opportunities, with anglers gathering to search for rainbow trout.”
Big Bear Lake was followed by Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin, Lake George in New York, and Marion Lake in Minnesota on USA Today’s list.
Scenic Lake Michigan features hiking trails and underwater caves[/caption]
Water sports are popular on Lake George[/caption]
