USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards: Lake Havasu on top 10!
Lake Havasu City just added three more reasons to love where we live. USA Today 10Best named us in three categories for their 2026 Lakes/Rivers Readers' Choice Awards — No. 6 for Best Lake Beach (Windsor Beach at Lake Havasu State Park), No. 8 for Best Lake, and No. 8 for Best Lake for Water Sports. The recognition speaks to what makes this destination so special: a massive, stunning reservoir on the Arizona-California border that checks every box. Whether you're here to fish for largemouth bass, wakeboard until sunset, camp on the shore, or just float in the sun, Lake Havasu delivers the kind of outdoor experience that's genuinely hard to find anywhere else. Three nominations. Zero surprises.
Voted No. 8:
Best Lake for Water Sports
"Though Lake Havasu was only formed about a century ago, this sprawling reservoir has gained abundant acclaim for its outdoor adventure opportunities, drawing visitors from both Arizona and California. In addition to boating, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking, fishing is a particularly popular activity, thanks to the lake's high concentration of both largemouth and smallmouth bass."
voted No. 8:
Best Lake
"Arizona is home to massive spans of bone-dry desert, but that doesn't mean it's totally devoid of water features. A prime example: the sprawling Lake Havasu, a massive reservoir located on the California border. Developed in the 1930s, the lake is a popular destination for bass fishing and even played host to a large population of introduced white sturgeon in the 1960s."
voted No. 6:
Best Lake Beach
"While Arizona's Lake Havasu is best known for its excellent fishing and boating opportunities, this scenic body of water is no slouch when it comes to its beaches. On a sunny day, Windsor Beach is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in the water, while campsites and RV hookups are also in place for anyone wishing to stay the night."
