Best Lakes for Swimming Near La Crosse
Wisconsin
1 swimming lakes within driving distance of La Crosse, Wisconsin, ranked by water quality and swimming-specific filters. Filtered for grade A or B water quality, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Always check local advisories on the day you swim.
Lakes near La Crosse are sparser (1 graded lakes within reach), so the choices are limited. Sidie Hollow Lake (B) is the standout.
The swimming-specific ranking layered on top of the LakeGrade rubric is what produces the list below: a grade-good lake that does not also support the swimming use case is less useful than a grade-decent lake that does.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sidie Hollow Lake | Vernon | B | 23 mi | 12 ft | - |
Other activities near La Crosse
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.