Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.6(144)Cheat Lake
Expansive lake retreat offering options for boating, kayaking, swimming & nature hiking.
4.6(2,181)Lake Michigan
One of the 5 Great Lakes, touching 4 U.S. states & home to Chicago, Milwaukee & Green Bay.
4.6(142)Lake Onota
617-acre lake offering boating, swimming & water skiing, plus a fishing pier & picnic tables.
4.6(296)Percy Priest Lake
Surrounded by public lands, this vast reservoir has many marinas & is home to several boating clubs.
4.6(1,318)Echo Lake Park
Park with lots of room for sports, from ice-skating to softball, plus a snack bar for refueling.
4.6(529)McConaughy Lake
Expansive recreational lake offering beaches, boat ramps, campgrounds, fishing spots & restaurants.
4.6(389)Lake Venus
Opening Day is May 25, 2024, for the 2024 swimming season. Checkout Facebook for all current information including operational hours due to weather. Visit Lake Venus for all your summer fun Memorial Weekend through Labor Day! Lake Venus is a fresh spring water lake which is surrounded by a beautiful, clean beach. Choose to lounge on the beach or head over to the diving boards. Our lake does have fish, but they love to stay in the deep water. A mini golf course, basketball court and volleyball are available. We offer concessions, but you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks. No pets, alcoholic beverages, or glass bottles! Admission is $10 per person, children 3 and under are FREE.
4.6(261)Lake St Clair
Lined with boat clubs & public beaches, this fresh-water lake offers fishing & seasonal events.
4.6(62)Lake Nocona
Lake Nocona or Farmer's Creek Reservoir was begun in 1959 and completed in October 1960. It is formed by a dam on Farmer's Creek about nine miles northeast of Nocona, Texas in northeastern Montague County and is owned and operated by North Montague County Water Supply District.
4.6(100)Abiquiu Lake
Popular lake for fishing, boating & sunset watching, with a campground & several picnic spots.
4.6(673)Jordan Lake
14,000-acre reservoir featuring boating ramps & over 1,000 campsites, plus seven swimming beaches.
4.6(90)Grand Lake St Marys State Park
Park on Grand Lake St. Marys reservoir with a campground, swimming areas, boat ramps & fishing.
4.6(454)Grapevine Lake
8,000-acre reservoir offering fishing, boating (including rentals), hiking & camping plus cabins.
4.6(70)Bluestone Lake
Popular recreational site with a fishable lake, hiking trails & campsites in forest surrounds.
4.6(79)Lake Tuscaloosa
Water-supply reservoir on the North River, with opportunities for boating, fishing & swimming.
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