Safest Lakes to Swim Near Traverse City
Michigan
17 lakes within driving distance of Traverse City, Michigan pass our swim-safety screen — grade A/B water, low algae, and public access. 0 have direct bacteria (E. coli) testing on record. 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.
A moderate cluster of 17 graded lakes lies within reach of Traverse City, averaging a grade of A. Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township (A) is the cleanest of the set.
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 | Swim Safety | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake North Central Basin; Long Lake Township | Grand Traverse | A | Low algae | 7.2 mi | 23.8 ft | - |
| 2 | Spider Lake West Basin | Grand Traverse | A | Low algae | 8.5 mi | 12 ft | - |
| 3 | Arbutus Lake South Central Basin | Grand Traverse | A | Low algae | 8.7 mi | 19 ft | - |
| 4 | Rennie Lake; Central Basin; East Bay Township | Grand Traverse | A | Low algae | 10 mi | 13 ft | - |
| 5 | Ransom Lake | Benzie | A | Limited data | 10.6 mi | 15 ft | - |
| 6 | Lake View; Almira Twp | Benzie | A | Limited data | 12.1 mi | 18 ft | - |
| 7 | Upper Woodcock Lake; Almira Twp | Benzie | A | Limited data | 13.5 mi | 11 ft | - |
| 8 | Lower Woodcock Lake; Almira Twp | Benzie | A | Limited data | 13.6 mi | 12.3 ft | - |
| 9 | Pearl Lake Central Basin | Benzie | A | Limited data | 14.6 mi | 13 ft | - |
| 10 | Lime Lake | Benzie | A | Limited data | 15.3 mi | 17.5 ft | - |
| 11 | Brooks Lake | Leelanau | A | Low algae | 17.1 mi | 9 ft | - |
| 12 | Fisher Lake | Leelanau | A | Low algae | 18.5 mi | - | - |
| 13 | Otter Lake | Benzie | A | Limited data | 21.7 mi | 12 ft | - |
| 14 | Little Platte Lake North Basin | Benzie | A | Limited data | 22 mi | 6.5 ft | - |
| 15 | South Bar Lake; Center of | Leelanau | A | Limited data | 22.1 mi | 8.5 ft | - |
| 16 | Loon Lake; Lake Twp | Benzie | A | Limited data | 25.3 mi | 12 ft | - |
| 17 | Round Lake | Benzie | A | Limited data | 28.1 mi | 15 ft | - |
Other activities near Traverse City
Where to stay near Traverse City
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Traverse City — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Traverse City
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Traverse City?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Traverse City — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.