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(41)Mystic Lakes
Lakes & adjacent state park for fishing, swimming, sailing & rowing in a scenic, natural setting.
4.8(150)Rough River Lake
Hiking trails, disc golf, boating & bald eagle spotting around a vast body of water.
4.8(189)Lake Union
Picturesque freshwater lake providing a popular boating spot & an annual wooden boat festival.
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(19)Deer Lake
Encircled by woods, this 900-acre lake is a popular spot for catching walleye & northern pike.
4.8(54)Cedar Lake
Large reservoir lake for water activities like fishing, kayaking, canoeing & swimming.
4.8(96)Burt Lake
Large, popular lake featuring boating, year-round fishing, swimming & other recreation.
4.8(23)Muskegon Lake
Freshwater coastal plain estuary covering 4,232 acres, popular for hiking, fishing & boating.
4.8(546)Lake Chelan
Nature-lovers' resort destination in the mountains with water sports, hotels, hiking & local wine.
4.8(511)Norris Lake
Scenic reservoir with 809 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking & picnic areas.
4.8(298)Watauga Lake
Created in 1948, this reservoir in the Cherokee National Forest offers boating, fishing & more.
4.8(106)Conesus Lake
Water sports, fishing, kayaking & a lively 4th of July celebration draw locals to this popular lake.
4.8(191)Sebago Lake
Large lake & recreation area offering fishing, boating, campgrounds, trails & beaches.
4.8(140)Crescent Lake
Hiking & biking on former logging railway routes around a lake with translucent water & campgrounds.
4.8(64)Lake Galena
Reservoir with an 8-mi. perimeter, edged by park & hiking, biking & equestrian trails.
4.8(692)Sylvan Lake
Tranquil lake area for swimming, canoeing, hiking, picnicking & rock climbing on large outcroppings.
4.8(18)Lake Colby
272-acre lake with fishing, small craft boating & paddling, a public swimming beach & 2 campgrounds.
4.8(234)South Holston Lake
This 7,580-acre reservoir operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority offers fishing & boating.
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