Big Bear Lake is once again on the slate for USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for ‘Best Lake’ and ‘Best Lake for Water Sports’ in the United States.
In 2024, Big Bear Lake was named 6th Best Lake in the U.S. and 7th Best Lake for Water Sports. This year however, Big Bear Lake is setting the bar higher, and hopeful USA Today’s readers will recognize Big Bear Lake as the best in the nation.
“Whether Big Bear Lake is voted as America’s #1 lake or not, we’re incredibly honored that USA Today’s expert panel have acknowledged our beautiful freshwater jewel as one of the best in the nation,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott. “It’s a huge compliment to be right alongside nationally recognized treasures such as Lake Superior, Lake Eerie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Tahoe.”
Big Bear Lake’s nomination was chosen by a panel of experts, which includes a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and relevant expert contributors before being voted on by the public online. Big Bear Lake is up against some stiff competition, which includes nationally-recognized lakes in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Idaho. A full list of nominees with online voting for ‘Best Lake’ is at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-lake/, and ‘Best Lake for Water Sports’ at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-lake-for-water-sports/.
Voting ends on Monday, June 2, 2025. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Big Bear Lake is indeed the grand centerpiece of Southern California’s only four-season mountain resort. It stretches seven miles long and one-mile across at its widest point. With a maximum depth of 72 feet, the sparkling blue, freshwater lake boasts more than 22 miles of accessible shoreline. Big Bear Lake is the answer for those who want to get their “wet” fix with just about every freshwater aquatic sport, including fishing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, wake surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, canoeing, and kayaking. The Big Bear Pirate Ship, Big Bear Cruiser, Miss Liberty paddlewheel boat and Big Bear Queen offer lake tours. Big Bear Lake has two public boats launch ramps providing easy access for boat owners. In addition to the public boat launch facilities, there are six full-service marinas that provide a wide-range of services, such as boat launching, watercraft rentals, fishing charters, dock rentals, fuel, snacks, and boat repair.
For all there is to see and do in Big Bear Lake, to book lodging reservations, or to vote for Big Bear Lake as the best lake in the U.S. visit BigBear.com.
