States Bordering the Ohio River and Lake Michigan

Two Distinct Water Boundaries

These lists show states with shoreline on each water body. Only Illinois and Indiana border both.

Ohio River (981 mi; PA → IL)

Border states (south bank → north bank):

• Illinois (southern tip)
• Indiana
• Kentucky (entire northern border)
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania (only at start: Pittsburgh confluence)
• West Virginia

Note: Kentucky owns the river to the low-water mark on the north shore (Virginia colonial charter).

Lake Michigan (307 mi long; only Great Lake entirely in US)

• Illinois (Chicago shoreline)
• Indiana (Indiana Dunes)
• Michigan (entire western & northern shore)
• Wisconsin (eastern shore: Milwaukee, Green Bay)

States Bordering BOTH

Illinois and Indiana are the only two states with coastlines on both the Ohio River and Lake Michigan.

Major Cities on Each