Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.8(346)Great Sacandaga Lake
A popular recreation standby, this 29-mile-long reservoir offers camping, boating & fishing.
4.8(18)Lake Colby
272-acre lake with fishing, small craft boating & paddling, a public swimming beach & 2 campgrounds.
4.8(156)Melvern Lake
Melvern Dam is a dam in Osage County, Kansas. The earthen dam was completed in 1970, and the reservoir completely filled in 1975, as a flood control project of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
4.8(110)Long Lake
This 11-mile-long glacial lake features fishing, boating, loons & other wildlife.
4.8(511)Norris Lake
Scenic reservoir with 809 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking & picnic areas.
4.8(631)Summersville Lake
Scenic lake created by a dam, with 60 mi. of shoreline offering boating, fishing & camping.
4.8(546)Lake Chelan
Nature-lovers' resort destination in the mountains with water sports, hotels, hiking & local wine.
4.8(38)Indian Lake
This popular, 99-acre lake features 3 beaches with seasonal lifeguards, boating, fishing & swimming.
4.8(140)Crescent Lake
Hiking & biking on former logging railway routes around a lake with translucent water & campgrounds.
4.8(14)Island Pond
A 532-acre pond with an island known for fishing, birdwatching, boating, water skiing & hiking.
4.8(22)First Connecticut Lake
Well-known, peaceful lake surrounded by mountains & hills drawing anglers for year-round fishing.
4.8(93)Kensico Reservoir
Lake with fishing & boating, plus a historic dam featuring a park with a playground & trails.
4.8(106)Conesus Lake
Water sports, fishing, kayaking & a lively 4th of July celebration draw locals to this popular lake.
4.8(51)Merrymeeting Lake
Lush hills & vacation homes surround this water body offering fishing, boating, swimming & more.
4.8(133)Lake of the Isles
Celebrated urban lake featuring an ice-skating rink, fishing pier, paved jogging paths & dog park.
4.8(298)Watauga Lake
Created in 1948, this reservoir in the Cherokee National Forest offers boating, fishing & more.
4.8(23)Muskegon Lake
Freshwater coastal plain estuary covering 4,232 acres, popular for hiking, fishing & boating.
4.8(122)Newark Reservoir
Reservoir lake surrounded by a paved waterfront walking trail with access to an adjacent park.
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