Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.8(290)Lake Willoughby
Long, narrow lake bordered by forest & hills, offering fishing, diving, hiking & several beaches.
4.8(91)Lake Bomoseen
A popular fishing hole, Vermont's largest freshwater lake includes a beach, marinas & boat launches.
4.8(189)Lake Union
Picturesque freshwater lake providing a popular boating spot & an annual wooden boat festival.
4.8(41)Mystic Lakes
Lakes & adjacent state park for fishing, swimming, sailing & rowing in a scenic, natural setting.
4.8(122)Newark Reservoir
Reservoir lake surrounded by a paved waterfront walking trail with access to an adjacent park.
4.8(106)Conesus Lake
Water sports, fishing, kayaking & a lively 4th of July celebration draw locals to this popular lake.
4.8(23)Muskegon Lake
Freshwater coastal plain estuary covering 4,232 acres, popular for hiking, fishing & boating.
4.8(50)Cedar Lake
Surrounded by parks & natural areas, this river is a popular place for fishing, canoeing & kayaking.
4.8(110)Long Lake
This 11-mile-long glacial lake features fishing, boating, loons & other wildlife.
4.8(173)Lake Tillery
Boating, fishing, hunting, camping & other recreation draw visitors to this 5,000-acre, scenic lake.
4.8(54)Cedar Lake
Large reservoir lake for water activities like fishing, kayaking, canoeing & swimming.
4.8(511)Norris Lake
Scenic reservoir with 809 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking & picnic areas.
4.8(346)Great Sacandaga Lake
A popular recreation standby, this 29-mile-long reservoir offers camping, boating & fishing.
4.8(298)Watauga Lake
Created in 1948, this reservoir in the Cherokee National Forest offers boating, fishing & more.
4.8(18)Lake Colby
272-acre lake with fishing, small craft boating & paddling, a public swimming beach & 2 campgrounds.
4.8(68)Echo Lake
Surrounded by trees & hills, this tranquil lake is a destination for swimming, boating & fishing.
4.8(22)First Connecticut Lake
Well-known, peaceful lake surrounded by mountains & hills drawing anglers for year-round fishing.
4.8(64)Lake Galena
Reservoir with an 8-mi. perimeter, edged by park & hiking, biking & equestrian trails.
4.8(234)South Holston Lake
This 7,580-acre reservoir operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority offers fishing & boating.
4.8(41)Cane River Lake
Recreational lake with a lush, scenic shoreline, popular with boating & fishing enthusiasts.
4.8(191)Sebago Lake
Large lake & recreation area offering fishing, boating, campgrounds, trails & beaches.
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