Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.5(1,554)Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Hidden beach offering ideal surf conditions, gardens, picnic seating, a fishing pier & guided tours.
4.5(177)Lake Wylie
Big reservoir on the Catawba River with fishing, boating & parks with swimming & picnic areas.
4.5(569)Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
Lakeside park is a go-to for picnics, rope swings, kayaks, a snackbar & group & event rentals.
4.5(290)Lavon Lake
Freshwater lake with a dam used for recreational activities, including swimming, fishing & boating.
4.5(192)Lake Waco
Large artificial lake & fishing spot for bass & catfish, home to a wetlands wildlife refuge.
4.5(120)Lake Anne
This tree-lined reservoir in a residential area offers boating, a promenade & waterfront eateries.
4.5(27)Peoria Lake
Lake on the Illinois River, home to the city of Peoria, with waterfront parks, fishing & boating.
4.5(205)Charles Mill Lake
Large reservoir surrounded by trees & featuring a marina for boating, plus fishing & swimming.
4.5(210)Lake Lawtonka
This 2-sq-mile lake created by the Lake Lawtonka Dam in 1905 features fishing, swimming & boating.
4.5(545)Shady Oak Beach
Community beach offering swimming & a high dive plus a playground, concessions & volleyball.
4.5(1,966)Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake
A 784-acre waterfront park with a white-sand beach & 2 boat ramps plus volleyball & picnic areas.
4.5(67)Brady Creek Reservoir
Reservoir offering boating, water sports, fishing & a park with camping, cabanas & picnic areas.
4.5(93)Guist Creek Lake
This 317-acre reservoir on Guist Creek offers fishing, boating & kayaking, plus a marina.
4.5(153)Lake Lemon
Boasting 24 mi. of shoreline, this large lake offers boating, swimming, fishing & nature trails.
4.5(92)Crystal Lake
30-acre lake with picnic facilities, walking trails & fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill & pike.
4.5(72)Carnegie Lake
Sprawling reservoir in wooded surrounds, popular among rowers, anglers & ice skaters.
4.5(11)Wreck Pond
Watershed preservation site & wildlife habitat with eco-tourism & volunteer activities.
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