Geneva Lake

Lake Recreational lake in Wisconsin with shoreline estates

Freshwater lake in southeastern Wisconsin surrounded by resort towns such as Fontana and Williams Bay. Popular for boat cruises, lakeside mansions, public beaches and winter skating or ice activities.

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Geneva Lake (commonly called Lake Geneva locally) is a glacially formed lake in Walworth County, Wisconsin, adjacent to the resort city of Lake Geneva. The lake is a regional recreational destination noted for boating, swimming and historic lakeside estates.

A public shore path follows much of the lake edge and passes numerous 19th- and early-20th-century summer residences and landscaped gardens. The city on the lake’s north shore provides marinas, beaches and visitor services for day trips and longer stays.

Recreational uses include pleasure boating, water sports and shoreline walking; the lakeside mansions and parks attract visitors interested in local architecture and landscape history.

The lake sits within southeastern Wisconsin and is centered on the municipality of Lake Geneva with residential shorelines, parks and public access points around the basin.

  • Shoreline path: The shoreline path encircling the lake is commonly cited at roughly 21 miles in length and provides public access past many historic lakeside properties.

What to See #

  • Shore Path: A continuous walking route that follows much of the private and public shoreline and passes historic lakeside estates and gardens over roughly 21 miles.
  • Riviera Beach: The north-shore public beach and park area adjacent to the city, used for swimming, picnics and lakeside events in summer.
Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva), Walworth County, Wisconsin, USA
42.5650, -88.5038

How to Get to Geneva Lake #

Geneva Lake is in southeastern Wisconsin. The town of Lake Geneva is about 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Chicago and 50-70 miles (80-110 km) from Milwaukee depending on route. By car take I-43 to the exits for I-94 and state roads into Walworth County; regional buses and Amtrak reach nearby towns but a car is the easiest way to explore the shoreline.

Tips for Visiting Geneva Lake #

  • If looking for the classic mansions, drive the Geneva Lake Shore Path from the town of Lake Geneva; many of the grand estates are private but visible from public paths or boat tours.
  • Boat-charter or the seasonal excursion cruises give the best perspective of the lake and its legendary homes.
  • Visit in late May for hydrangeas and lilacs on the shore, and to catch the quieter shoulder season before summer crowds arrive.

Best Time to Visit Geneva Lake #

Summer for swimming and boating; shoulder seasons for quieter visits and pleasant weather.

Summer
June-August · 18-28°C
Warm water for boating and beach activities; this is peak season with most services operating.
Late spring/early fall
May, September · 10-22°C
Fewer crowds, comfortable daytime temperatures for walks around the shore.

Weather & Climate near Geneva Lake #

Climate

Geneva Lake's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (904 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
-11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-11° -2°

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-9°

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 26°

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (106 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 28°

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 27°

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-7°

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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