Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.6(454)Grapevine Lake
8,000-acre reservoir offering fishing, boating (including rentals), hiking & camping plus cabins.
4.6(173)Claytor Lake
Created for a hydroelectric project, this 4,472-acre reservoir is a popular boating & fishing spot.
4.6(195)Lake Tapps
A 2,880-acre man-made lake & recreational area constructed in 1911 with a dam & dikes.
4.6(100)Abiquiu Lake
Popular lake for fishing, boating & sunset watching, with a campground & several picnic spots.
4.6(70)Bluestone Lake
Popular recreational site with a fishable lake, hiking trails & campsites in forest surrounds.
4.6(72)Taylorsville Lake
Popular spot for fishing & boating, with an extensive network of trails & bald eagle nesting sites.
4.6(50)Mountain Lake
High-altitude lake with a lodge on its banks where parts of the movie "Dirty Dancing" were filmed.
4.6(203)Eagle Mountain Lake
Freshwater recreation area with boating, water skiing & angling spots around popular summer beaches.
4.6(207)Clinton Lake
Large lake with a swimming beach, waterside parks & campsites, popular for water skiing & fishing.
4.6(79)Lake Tuscaloosa
Water-supply reservoir on the North River, with opportunities for boating, fishing & swimming.
4.6(25)Lake Wingra
This small lake in Madison is adjacent to parks & the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum.
4.6(94)Devils Lake
Small lake linked to native tribal legends, popular for bass fishing, camping & kayaking.
4.6(144)Cheat Lake
Expansive lake retreat offering options for boating, kayaking, swimming & nature hiking.
4.6(319)Lake Hopatcong
Bustling recreational lake for boating, water skiing & swimming, with waterfront eateries & bars.
4.6(997)Lake Mead
Big reservoir on the Colorado River, popular for fishing, boating & swimming amid desert scenery.
4.6(272)Lake Ivanhoe Park
Narrow, tree-lined lawn beside 125-acre Lake Ivanhoe, frequented by water skiers & fishermen.
4.6(69)Budd Lake
Angling is popular on this scenic, 175-acre lake bordering a state park with a beach & campsites.
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(333)Longview Lake
Water sports & boating, plus swimming off sandy beaches with lifeguards, at a manmade lake.
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