From the heart of the Midwest to the East and West Coasts, travelers hoping to embrace the “lake life” lifestyle need not voyage far as America is home to an abundance of beautiful lakes to choose from. Whether they’re looking for a new destination to relax and soak up some sun and sand or are eager to get out on the water and explore the surrounding area, these notable bodies of freshwater make for some of the best lake vacations in the U.S.
Lake Michigan
Whether they’re in search of a city escape with a touch of lakeside fun or can’t get enough of exploring cutesy towns with no shortage of incredible water-based experiences to choose from, Lake Michigan — one of America’s five Great Lakes — has it all. Perfect for fans of sailing and fishing with its adventurous waves and healthy trout population, Lake Michigan touches the shores of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, bordering popular vacation towns like Door County and Traverse City as well as major cities like Milwaukee and Chicago. As vacationers may have noticed, Lake Michigan has become something of a cruise destination over the last few years with popular brands like Viking including the freshwater destination in its Great Lakes itineraries. Similarly, in addition to fun on the water, there’s plenty of excitement along Lake Michigan’s sandy shores, many of which travelers adore for their fabulous beaches, charming wineries and gorgeous state parks.
Crater Lake
The deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest lakes in the world, Oregon’s Crater Lake is a prevalent tourist destination, with visitors flocking to the region each year to marvel at its unique shape and dark blue waters. The aftermath of several volcanic eruptions, Crater Lake has an average depth of 1,943 feet and holds an estimated 4.9 trillion gallons of water, according to the National Park Service. While, unlike other lake destinations, Crater Lake isn’t known for its swimming — in fact, the only legal and safe place to swim at Crater Lake is Crater Lake National Park’s Cleetwood Cove area — the region is terrific for hiking, camping and birding. Similarly, the Crater Lake area is home to a handful of well-liked natural attractions including Toketee Falls, Wizard Island, Annie Creek Canyon and Pinnacles Overlook.
Moosehead Lake
Situated three hours north of Portland, Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine and the second-largest lake in New England. Stretching nearly 40 miles in length and 22 miles in width, this mammoth loch is truly a sight to be seen, its gleaming waters and sprawling shoreline acting as home to a variety of wildlife like salmon, trout, bears, deer, turkeys, otters, beavers, rabbits and — you guessed it — moose, among others. In addition to its size, Moosehead Lake is known for its collection of islands, of which it has more than 80. By way of activities, this natural area is a great place to partake in outdoor pursuits including ATVing, boating, dog sledding, fishing, hiking, biking and golfing.
Lake of the Ozarks
Calling all family travelers, central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks makes for one of the best lake vacations in the U.S. for vacationers of varying ages thanks to its wide selection of attractions and activities. From challenging hikes and underground caverns to live music, distilleries, wineries, fun parks and more, this Midwest escape is packed to the gills with thrills and entertainment. Regarding the lake itself, Lake of the Ozarks is a favorite destination among freshwater fishermen, with bluegill, channel cats, largemouth bass, walleye and white bass being among some of the most popular catches. The impressive body of water totals 130 feet at its deepest point and boasts two well-maintained swimming beaches. Lake of the Ozarks is a great spot for kayaking and boating, and visitors love paddling and motoring atop its sparkling waters.
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Lake Superior
The biggest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, the Midwest’s Lake Superior is the coldest and deepest of the Great Lakes, its wild waves rivaling those of the fiercest ocean. And when we say fierce, we mean fierce, as Lake Superior acts as a watery grave for an estimated 550 shipwrecks, the skeletons and stories of which have contributed to the region’s eerie lore of ghost ships and other maritime myths and mysteries. Ideal for outdoorsy travelers, Lake Superior is one of the best lakes in the U.S. for vacations thanks to its proximity to incredible natural areas including the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin as well as Isle Royale National Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan.
Sylvan Lake
Headed to South Dakota’s famed Custer State Park? Why not add a stop at Sylvan Lake to your itinerary. Surrounded by massive granite rock formations — including the spiry needles the region is best known for — Sylvan Lake is great for hiking, swimming, fishing, birdwatching and more. An ideal spot for a picnic break while driving the Needles Highway or a unique place to spend the night for camping enthusiasts, this natural area is certainly worth a visit for anyone who finds themself in The Mount Rushmore State. Those hoping to hit the water will be happy to learn that, while motorized boats are not allowed, kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding is encouraged, and access is easy thanks to onsite rentals. Do the rocky shores of Sylvan Lake look familiar? Movie-loving travelers might recognize the scenic body of water from its appearance in “National Treasure II,” the 2007 sequel to “National Treasure” starring Nicolas Cage.
Convict Lake
Located in the Sherwin Range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Convict Lake, with its scintillating cerulean waters and craggy mountain scenery, is an excellent destination for travelers hoping to partake in activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking and even tubing. Said to be one of the most photogenic lakes in America, the surrounding landscape is almost akin to what one might expect to find in Europe, and visitors won’t want to forget their cameras so they can document it. While the region’s name might sound intimidating, we promise it isn’t crawling with criminals. Instead, the California natural area was named after an incident in 1871, when a group of convicts escaped from Carson City, NV, and a standoff between the group and law enforcement took place near what is now Convict Creek.
Lake Champlain
Fans of lake monsters rise up, Lake Champlain, the largest lake in the Adirondacks, is the alleged residence of Champ, a Loch Ness-type creature that, following years of reported sightings, has taken the crown as the region’s most celebrated cryptid. Stradling the borders of Vermont, New York and Quebec, the 490-square-mile body of freshwater has been a site of intrigue since the 1600s when French cartographer Samuel de Champlain recorded the first official sighting of the beast. However, the mythos of Champ is likely to date back even further as local Iroquois legends speak of giant snakes that fit a similar description. Today, Champ aids in keeping the area’s tourism numbers high, while activities like biking, hiking, visiting local farms and markets, fishing and more also draw a crowd.
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