Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.6(270)Atsion Lake
Boating, swimming & fishing are popular at this big lake, along with hiking & cross-country skiing.
4.6(92)Lake Carasaljo
Prominent lake featuring multiuse trails, ice-skating, fishing, swimming & a place in urban legend.
4.6(38)Lake Wentworth
Lake with numerous small islands, bordered by a state park offering swimming, boating & fishing.
4.6(195)Lake Tapps
A 2,880-acre man-made lake & recreational area constructed in 1911 with a dam & dikes.
4.6(1,612)Lake Ontario
Smallest Great Lake, spanning the US-Canada border & featuring many islands, beaches & lighthouses.
4.6(106)Saratoga Lake
6 sq. mi. lake offering boat cruises, kayaking, fishing, a beach & a park with picnic facilities.
4.6(304)Atwood Lake
Lake featuring a park with a campground & picnic areas, plus 2 marinas serving boaters & anglers.
4.6(39)Mirror Lake
Surrounded by woods, this celebrated lake is a popular destination for outdoor recreation & picnics.
4.6(25)Lake Wingra
This small lake in Madison is adjacent to parks & the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum.
4.6(69)Budd Lake
Angling is popular on this scenic, 175-acre lake bordering a state park with a beach & campsites.
4.6(333)Longview Lake
Water sports & boating, plus swimming off sandy beaches with lifeguards, at a manmade lake.
4.6(1,174)Park Lake
Recreational lake featuring multiple traditional & bouncy water slides & swimming areas.
4.6(72)Taylorsville Lake
Popular spot for fishing & boating, with an extensive network of trails & bald eagle nesting sites.
4.6(203)Eagle Mountain Lake
Freshwater recreation area with boating, water skiing & angling spots around popular summer beaches.
4.6(612)Lady Bird Lake
Riverlike reservoir for kayaking & rowing, plus trails alongside for jogging & wildlife viewing.
4.6(167)Lake Georgetown
Large reservoir popular for boating & bass fishing, plus camping & a circular hike on wooded shores.
4.6(87)Lake Bridgeport
Man-made reservoir popular for water sports & boating with camp sites, picnic areas & marinas.
4.6(717)Lake Anna
Fishing, swimming, camping & water sports on a huge reservoir with a public beach.
4.6(121)Burke Lake
Wooded park around a dam with boat rentals & fishing spots, plus hiking on a lakeside loop trail.
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