Best Lakes in America
Discover pristine lakes ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, and peaceful waterfront relaxation.
All Lakes
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4.8(173)Lake Tillery
Boating, fishing, hunting, camping & other recreation draw visitors to this 5,000-acre, scenic lake.
4.8(106)Conesus Lake
Water sports, fishing, kayaking & a lively 4th of July celebration draw locals to this popular lake.
4.8(64)Philpott Lake
Recreation area with forested hiking paths, lakeside camping, boat launches & fishing.
4.8(122)Newark Reservoir
Reservoir lake surrounded by a paved waterfront walking trail with access to an adjacent park.
4.8(274)Seneca Lake
A glacial finger lake, this lake is a popular fishing spot with a large lake trout population.
4.8(41)Cane River Lake
Recreational lake with a lush, scenic shoreline, popular with boating & fishing enthusiasts.
4.8(133)Lake of the Isles
Celebrated urban lake featuring an ice-skating rink, fishing pier, paved jogging paths & dog park.
4.8(234)South Holston Lake
This 7,580-acre reservoir operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority offers fishing & boating.
4.8(52)Sandy River Reservoir
740-acre reservoir, open since 1994, with a kayak launch & fishing opportunities.
4.8(41)Delta Reservoir
A well-known destination for fishing, this large lake offers campgrounds, a marina & boat launches.
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(428)Pomme de Terre Lake
Artificial lake popular for fishing, water sports & beach swims, with many surrounding campsites.
4.8(23)Muskegon Lake
Freshwater coastal plain estuary covering 4,232 acres, popular for hiking, fishing & boating.
4.8(51)Merrymeeting Lake
Lush hills & vacation homes surround this water body offering fishing, boating, swimming & more.
4.8(290)Lake Willoughby
Long, narrow lake bordered by forest & hills, offering fishing, diving, hiking & several beaches.
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(150)Rough River Lake
Hiking trails, disc golf, boating & bald eagle spotting around a vast body of water.
4.8(50)Cedar Lake
Surrounded by parks & natural areas, this river is a popular place for fishing, canoeing & kayaking.
4.8(91)Lake Bomoseen
A popular fishing hole, Vermont's largest freshwater lake includes a beach, marinas & boat launches.
4.8(50)Omak Lake
Omak Lake is a saline endorheic lake in the U.S. state of Washington, within the Greater Omak Area. The lake covers 3,244 acres at an elevation of 950 feet and is fed by three small creeks. With a volume of 705,000 acre-feet and depth of 325 feet, Omak is the largest saline lake in Washington.
4.8(57)Pawtuckaway Lake
Celebrated, 784-acre lake featuring swimming, boating, canoe rentals, mountain biking & picnicking.
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