Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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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(1,174)Park Lake
Recreational lake featuring multiple traditional & bouncy water slides & swimming areas.
4.6(20)Chain O'Lakes
Series of river-linked lakes for boating & fishing, plus beaches & sheltered coves for water sports.
4.6(47)Neversink Reservoir
Tranquil manmade lake & seasonal fishing area, known for offering picturesque views.
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(2,181)Lake Michigan
One of the 5 Great Lakes, touching 4 U.S. states & home to Chicago, Milwaukee & Green Bay.
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(529)McConaughy Lake
Expansive recreational lake offering beaches, boat ramps, campgrounds, fishing spots & restaurants.
4.6(261)Lake St Clair
Lined with boat clubs & public beaches, this fresh-water lake offers fishing & seasonal events.
4.6(648)Lake Norman
State's largest man-made lake & home to a diverse fish population, with a visitor center & marina.
4.6(52)Lake Whatcom
Tranquil lake popular for boating & fishing, with parks offering hiking trails & swimming spots.
4.6(53)Swift Creek Reservoir
This 1,700-acre artificial lake surrounded by housing developments offers boating & fishing.
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(38)Lake Wentworth
Lake with numerous small islands, bordered by a state park offering swimming, boating & fishing.
4.6(92)Lake Carasaljo
Prominent lake featuring multiuse trails, ice-skating, fishing, swimming & a place in urban legend.
4.6(1,612)Lake Ontario
Smallest Great Lake, spanning the US-Canada border & featuring many islands, beaches & lighthouses.
4.6(146)Big Hill Lake
Reservoir offering 367 acres for public use, including fishing & boating, plus a beach for swimming.
4.6(21)Loon Lake
Recreational lake with a launch used for boating, fishing & other water activities.
4.5(2,032)Lake Lure Beach and Water Park
Temp ClosedMountain lake featuring both a traditional beach & a kids' park with a waterslide & water games.
4.5(136)Belews Lake
Fishing, boating & water-skiing are popular at this sprawling artificial lake with 2 marinas.
4.5(389)Smithville Lake
2 swim beaches, boat rentals, golf courses & camping grounds along a huge lake with bike trails.
4.5(202)Mozingo Lake
Large recreational lake with trails, picnic tables, camping & activities such as swimming & fishing.
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