You may be surprised to learn that of all the lakes in the Tar Heel State, the clearest lake in North Carolina has a natural, white sandy bottom and is slowly fed by artesian springs from deep beneath the earth’s surface. White Lake, located just outside of Elizabethtown, is a sight to behold, ant it is surrounded by resorts, small theme parks, restaurants, boardwalks, and piers – all to serve the 200,000 tourists who flock to White Lake Beach each summer. Of all the beautiful spots in the state, I wouldn’t skip this one!

The clearest water in North Carolina is like a magnet for tourists who'd rather spend the day at the lake than at the beach.
Jamie Corbett/GoogleLocal
But wait...White Lake IS a beach. Not just the cleanest lake in NC, it's also one of the state’s most underrated beaches. With sunsets this magnificent, it's impossible to understand why.
With a sandy bottom and shoreline covered in white sand, a day spent at White Lake Beach is like a day at the (actual) beach, only much safer. Many parents prefer this beach to traditional beaches in North Carolina, where waves and undertow pose a threat to the kiddos.
sydsyl/TripAdvisor
Unsurprisingly, this lake was developed early in the 20th century; however, Native Americans were using the lake as a retreat long before it became a modern resort. Back then, the Native Americans called it 'Silver Lake.'
Facebook/The Marina at White Lake

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The white, sandy bottom of this pristine lake gives it a white appearance, even though the waters are crystal clear.
Jamie Corbett/GoogleLocal
And, as white often does, it can also reflect the colors from above the water line and often appear a lime green in places where the trees cover the water.
Flickr/Lesley Looper
Visitors to White Lake Beach love the laid-back atmosphere of the unassuming resorts, motels, and amenities surrounding the lake. You can swim, boat, water ski, spend the day at the amusement park or water park, or play mini-golf.
TripAdvisor/Brian A
These combine to make this by far one of the most thrilling of all the lakes in North Carolina.
Each year in May, the annual Water Festival brings thousands to this small community with fewer than 900 year-round residents.
Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
This only adds to the reasons that it's one of my top favorite places to visit, no matter what time of year!

 

While I certainly consider White Lake to be one of the clearest lakes in North Carolina, there are so many more reasons to love this family-friendly spot!

Have you ever visited or stayed at White Lake? Which other lakes are among the cleanest lakes in North Carolina? If you have any great tips and tricks for making a visit here extra special, let us know in the comments.

There seems to be no shortage of natural beauty in North Carolina, but we can’t focus solely on bodies of water in the Tar Heel State… there are tons more beautiful beaches in North Carolina, too!

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Clearest Lakes In North Carolina

Michelle S. | July 02, 2023

What are the most beautiful beaches in North Carolina?

The most beautiful beach in North Carolina can be found all along North Carolina's coast. Here are a few you should visit:

  • Topsail Beach: An island paradise, this beauty is located just south of the Outer Banks. The tropical oasis boasts more than 20 miles of pristine coastline and some of the warmest waters on the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular spot for a late-summer dip. Not just a great place for a swim, the island is home to thousands of loggerhead turtles. Kayaking is also a common pastime at Topsail Beach since the waters are especially calm.
  • Wrightsville Beach: This beauty offers some of the bluest water on the coast. Be sure to book a fun adventure with the local watersports company.
  • Hatteras Island: Boasting the longest beach in the entire state of North Carolina, this beach is definitely worth a visit any time of year. Visitors especially love that it's known as the "blue marling capital" of the world!

 

What are the best water parks in North Carolina?

The best water parks in North Carolina offer fun for the entire family. Be sure to check out Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro, which is one of the best. Not only is it touted as “Carolina’s favorite water park,” but it’s been rated one of the 10 best water parks in America. Definitely worthy of the recognition, it’s one of the biggest water parks in North Carolina, boasting more than 40 acres of rides and slides.

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