Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.7(188)Coeur d'Alene Lake
Sizable, scenic lake offering adjacent cycling trails, swimming beaches & bald eagle sightings.
4.7(72)Lake Mendota
Expansive lake with several boat launches & marinas, also popular for winter ice sports.
4.7(73)Lake Monona
3359-acre lake providing multiple boat landings & public beaches, plus catfish, pike & other fish.
4.7(75)Foss Reservoir
Foss Reservoir, also known as Foss Lake, is in Custer County, Oklahoma on the Washita River, about 15 miles west of Clinton, Oklahoma. The reservoir was constructed during 1958–1961 by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. The project was known originally as the Washita Basin Project.
4.7(475)Lake Elizabeth
Recreation area with a bird-filled island, plus a dog park, playgrounds, sports fields & boat ramp.
4.7(268)Carlyle Lake
Large 26,000-acre lake used for sailing & fishing, with sandy beach areas & state park trails.
4.7(250)Lake Shelbyville
Popular, 11,000-acre lake featuring boating, swimming, camping, fishing, sandy beaches & picnicking.
4.7(270)Lake Washington
The 2nd largest natural lake in Washington, this lake provides sport fishing opportunities.
4.7(373)Wilson Lake
Large recreational reservoir popular for sport fishing, plus camping & swimming at waterfront parks.
4.7(10)Duck Lake
Duck Lake is a lake in Glacier County, Montana located four miles east of the community of Babb, Montana. The lake covers 1,446 acres and is fished for brown, bull and rainbow trout.
4.7(181)Lake Minnetonka
14,000-acre lake & popular recreation area with boating, fishing & waterside restaurants.
4.7(35)Bryant Pond
Lake Christopher, also known as Bryant Pond, is a two-mile long lake in western Maine. The lake is located in the towns of Woodstock and Greenwood in Oxford County, Maine.
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4.7(143)Lake Sammamish
Parkland surrounds this freshwater lake with boating, waterskiing, picnic shelters & hiking trails.
4.6(152)Lake Phalen
Large, scenic lake for fishing, sailing & boating encircled by a paved 3-mi. bike trail.
4.6(146)Big Hill Lake
Reservoir offering 367 acres for public use, including fishing & boating, plus a beach for swimming.
4.6(997)Lake Mead
Big reservoir on the Colorado River, popular for fishing, boating & swimming amid desert scenery.
4.6(53)Swift Creek Reservoir
This 1,700-acre artificial lake surrounded by housing developments offers boating & fishing.
4.6(326)Loch Raven Reservoir
Sprawling, artificial lake with hiking trails & historic bridges, plus a fishing & boating center.
4.6(340)Sardis Lake
Sardis Lake is a 98,520-acre reservoir on the Tallahatchie River in Lafayette, Panola, and Marshall counties, Mississippi. Sardis Lake is impounded by Sardis Dam, located nine miles southeast of the town of Sardis. It is approximately an hour drive from Memphis, Tennessee.
4.6(52)Lake Whatcom
Tranquil lake popular for boating & fishing, with parks offering hiking trails & swimming spots.
4.6(94)Devils Lake
Small lake linked to native tribal legends, popular for bass fishing, camping & kayaking.
4.6(50)Mountain Lake
High-altitude lake with a lodge on its banks where parts of the movie "Dirty Dancing" were filmed.
Trip packing checklist
Gear for Lakes
Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.
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Useful for calm-water exploring without roof-rack logistics.
Keeps food and drinks together for longer waterfront stays.
A starter combo is often enough for casual lake fishing.
Open shorelines and boats can mean hours of direct sun.
Tips for Visiting Lakes
Check for boat launch facilities and fees
Obtain required fishing licenses before arrival
Be aware of lake-specific regulations and restrictions
Monitor water quality reports before swimming