Amazing US Lakes for Summer Vacation

1. Wallowa Lake is located about one mile south of Joseph Oregon. Even in summer the lake is surrounded by snow tipped mountains. There is Wallowa Lake State Park on the south side of the lake along with the small houses and several small businesses. You can stay at the historic Wallowa Lake Lodge the campground or find lodging in one of many cabins on the river and among the trees. Consider riding the gondola lift to the summit of Mount Howard (800 .....

Lake Lanier Georgia

2. The largest lake in GeorgiaLake Lanieris one of the best lakes for summer vacation. From a half hour to one hour from Atlanta Lake Lanier is filled with beautiful islands formed when the Buford Dam was built. Its home to a top flight hotel houseboats and campgrounds as well as about 700 miles of spectacular shoreline. You can rent anything from a small boat to a yacht or pontoon here. Enjoy the equestrian center waterpark golf courses swimming hi .....

Lake Chelan Washington

3. The longest natural lake in Washington and the 3rd deepest lake in the US Lake Chelan was formed when a glaciercarved valley flooded and its 1500 feet deep and 55 miles long. Summer sun blue skies and clear waters have made Lake Chelan of the best summervacation destinations to visit. On the southeast end of the lake theres the remote town of Stehekin which you can reach only by plane or boat. There is plenty to see and do in Stehekin so consider .....

Lake Placid New York

4. Known as the site of the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics Lake Placid is a perfect place for both summer and winter vacation. The beauty of the lake and the surrounding Adirondack mountains is breathtaking and there are hundreds of activities to try including hiking on marked hiking trails biking golf kayaking boating and fishing. The town of Lake Placid located 21/2 miles from the lake offers luxurious and rustic accommodations and great restau .....

Redfish Lake Idaho

5. Redfish Lake is located in the heart of the magnificent Sawtooth Mountain Range Idaho. The lake offers excellent canoeing boating kayaking water skiing and fishing. Moreover Redfish Lake offers crystal clear water and fantastic sandy beaches. The surrounding hills provide some of the nations most impressive granite cliffs for every mountain climber. .....

Caddo Lake Louisiana and Texas

6. Located on the border of Louisiana and Texas Caddo Lake is a lake of more than 25000 acres and part of Caddo Lake State Park. Enjoy a little bass fishing or drift in a canoe among the worlds largest cypress tree forest. Caddo Lake has something to offer for each nature lover from hiking biking to horseback riding. If you are an animal lover you will enjoy seeing alligators river otters eagles owls mink and storks. Consider visiting the Starr Fami .....

Lake of the Ozarks Missouri

7. Nestled amid the rolling hills of central Missouri the serpentine Lake of the Ozarks is one of the most amazing lakes for summer vacation. Its one of the largest manmade lakes in the US which was created by the Bagnell Dam in 1931. Being one of the best destinations for golf and fishing it hosts a few prestigious golf tournaments and worldclass boating. Lake of the Ozarks boasts more than 1150 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by a great numbe .....

Lake Tahoe Nevada and California

8. Lake Tahoe has an endless list of things to do and to see so you could spend a month there and still have a lot of things to experience. Enjoy clear blue waters magnificent mountains and vibrant nightlife. Take a paddlewheel cruise visit the old Tea House on Fannette Island or take a ride up the Heavenly Gondola and enjoy miles of beautiful scenery. Visit worldfamous Vikingsholm Castle a replica of a Scandinavian castle or go gambling at the casi .....

Lake Havasu State Park Arizona

9. Lake Havasu offers 450 miles of stunning shoreline that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The bluegreen waters of Lake Havasu sit below the breathtaking Chemehuevi Mountains and are a haven for both overnighters and day trippers. Lake Havasu State Park offers camping with electrical hookups water showers bathrooms picnic tables and a fire ring. There are three boat ramps. If youre a wildlife enthusiast you will enjoy different birds bobc .....

Trophy Lakes South Carolina

10. Trophy Lakes are a dream of every watersports lover. Created specifically for wakeboarders tubers and waterskiers the lakes small size and 10foot depth make them perfect for mastering a new craft. Sure a team of professionals will be with you to make sure things go as smoothly as possible. Its definitely one of the best US lakes for summer vacation. .....

Lake Superior

11. Theres plenty of room for fish to thrive in Lake Superior which has shores in Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota and Ontario Canada. .....

Crater Lake

12. Oregons Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.Best for scuba diving: Other lakes have shipwrecks or sunken towns but only Crater Lake offers the bragging rights of diving in a flooded volcano that also happens to be the deepest lake in the U.S. (and ninth deepest in the world). Without a deepsea submersible you wont be able to reach the absolute bottom (1943 feet). But theres plenty to explore in the crystalclear shallows: lava for .....

Lake Winnebago

13. Best for windsurfing: Steady wind and easy launch make Winnebago the lake of choice for Wisconsin windsurfers and kite surfers especially in summer when the shallow sandy bottom creates water temperatures that are downright tropical (7585 .....

Lake Kabetogama

14. Best for kayak or canoe camping: Paddle along the same routes as early French trappers traders and explorers on Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota. Part of the warren of waterways that make up Voyageurs National Park the lake offers more than two dozen wilderness campsites that can be reached only by boat including gorgeous spots along Lost Bay and among the Chief Wooden Frog Islands. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the shore from bear and .....

Lake Clark

15. Best for wilderness adventure: The only way to reach supersecluded Lake Clark is trekking overland through the Alaska bush getting dragged by a dogsled team or flying in by a floatplane. Flanked by snowcapped peaks thick boreal forest and whitewater rivers the 50milelong lake is quintessential Alaska. .....

Chain of Lakes

16. Best for waterskiing: Sixteen lakes form a deepblue chain around the west side of Winter Haven the Water Skiing Capital of the World. The craze started in 1936 with the debut of Cypress Garden the nations first aquatic theme park and its celebrated waterski shows. If its being done on the water chances are somebody tried it in Winter Haven first wrote Waterski magazines Tony Smith. Try barefoot waterskiing for instance taught by the Footers Edge .....

Lake Tahoe

17. Best for snow sports: Highaltitude Tahoe (6225 feet) is nirvana for skiing snowboarding and other coldweather sports. Seven major winter resorts ring the shore including Squaw Valley where the 1960 Winter Olympics took place. Hike along snowy forest trails snuggle up beside a fire in a lakeshore caf or ride the Sky Express to the top of Heavenlys highest peak for a snowmantled panorama of the entire lake basin. Or go now and enjoy the striking sc .....

Lake Michigan

18. Best for beaches: With more than 1600 miles of shoreline Lake Michigan offers more beaches than any other American lake. But its not just quantity: theres a beach for nearly every taste. The bigcity strands that front Chicago the wild rolling dunes of northern Indiana the pastoral shores of Wisconsins Door Peninsula and the carnivallike atmosphere along the Traverse City Boardwalk offer totally different sunandsand experiences on the same lake. Y .....

Finger Lakes

19. Best for wine tastings: With more than a hundred vintners the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is the prime wine region of the Eastern U.S. The largest concentration of tasting rooms is along Highway 414 on the east side of Lake Seneca. Wineries with spectacular waterfront locations include Belhurst Estate in Geneva and Thirsty Owl in Ovid. Riesling is the most popular plonk but the lakes region also produces fine Cabernet Sauvignon Zinfan .....

Lake Powell

20. Best for desert houseboating: From the original Planet of the Apes to Charlies Angels: Full Throttle more than three dozen movies have been filmed in and around dropdeadgorgeous Lake Powell. Spin your own highadventure tale on a houseboat cruise through the redrock desert wilderness. Created by Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona the vast lake stretches for nearly 200 miles into uninhabited southern Utah and includes more than 80 side canyons whe .....

Shahola Lake Pennsylvania

21. Beat the worst of the summer heat with a trip Shahola Lake in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. When youre not at the lake youll enjoy dozens of trails designed for hikers of all levels of experience. A few of the trails throughout the Pocono Mountains allow horseback riding as well. Keep your eyes peeled for bear deer rabbits and even turkeys. In the wintertime there are plenty of ski resorts with activities for the entire family. .....

Lake Tahoe Nevada or California

22. Right along the border where California and Nevada come together youll find beautiful Lake Tahoe. The residents in the area thrive on tourism but the area is laid back and friendly. Theres always something to do for entertainment. Rent a boat relax along the shores with your fishing pole or cruise the lake. There are dozens of swimming beaches bike rental outfits and hiking trails to keep you occupied as well! .....

Lake Cumberland Kentucky

23. In Russell County Kentucky sits one of the largest manmade bodies of water in the country. Theres no shortage of things to do in Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. You can camp stay in a cabin or visit a motel. Spend your day fishing shopping or even on a jet ski. Not far from the park is the Kentucky OffTrack where you can watch one of over fifty daily horse races. .....

Clear Lake California

24. In Lake County California youll have a number of incredible Clear Lake vacation rentals to choose from. On the lake youll enjoy water skiing boating cruising and fishing. On the shores youll be entertained by a number of incredible concerts delectable restaurants and the tours and tasting events held at local wineries. .....

Lake Norman North Carolina

25. Mooresville North Carolina is the home of the beautiful Lake Norman. The manmade lake was one of seven that were originally created to help produce energy. Now its a prime vacation destination for those wishing to relax and play. A number of the properties on Lake Normal are privately owned and rented giving you the flexibility to find something that will suit the needs of your entire family. Youll enjoy swimming fishing and hiking during the sum .....

Lake George New York

26. Youll be truly astounded at how much there is to do at the southern end of Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Swimming boating biking and hiking are the norm but theres tons more. Youll also enjoy visiting the Fort Wm. Henry Historic Museum or one of the many wax museums. There are dozens of lodging options to choose from too including cottages cabins motels resorts and simple bed and breakfast inns. Relax and enjoy! .....

Suttle Lake

27. Suttle Lake in central Oregon earns top marks in all three categories. The glacierformed lake is undeniably a stunner. But oddly even at the height of summer Suttle never feels mobbeddespite being one of Oregons more accessible mountain lakes (U.S. 20 skirts its northern shore). But luxury is where Suttle really scores. Its sevenyearold resort is a modern take on Mt. Hoods Timberline Lodge big on roughhewn beams and wroughtiron chandeliers. The s .....

Jenny Lake

28. In Wyomings Grand Teton National Park Jenny Lake reflects the Teton peaks better than any mirror. And Jenny Lake Lodge reflects rustic elegance. The restored historic cabins have handmade quilts. Breakfast fivecourse dinner and use of bikes and horses are included. .....

Crescent

29. Lakes dont get much more old school than Crescent in Washingtons Olympic National Park. Lake Crescent Lodge is one of the great nationalpark hotels with a woodpaneled dining roomPresident Franklin Roosevelt ate hereand a sunroom where parents and young children play games of Uno and Jenga.As for the lake itself its a gem: seconddeepest in Washington and locals claim clearer than Western rivals Crater and Tahoe. There are biological reasons for th .....

Christina Lake

30. All your life youve longed for your own personal lakeside retreat. But you havent inherited money you havent issued an IPO. What to do? You rent your lakeside paradise for a week or two. Christina Lake British Columbia is seemingly created for people who want to rent their own lakeside cottage/cabin/luxury home. Resorts are nonexistent (although there is a scattering of nice small B&Bs). But what Christina has is a broad range of properties for r .....

Big Bear Lake

31. With its green pines and blue water Californias Big Bear Lake feels like a step into vacations past. But you can get in good mountain biking at Snow Summit and standup paddleboarding on the lake. And Windy Point Inn is sleekly contemporary. .....

Lakes Basin

32. Simple pleasures really can be the best. Theyre what Northern Californias Lakes Basin area has to offer. About an hour and a half northwest of Lake Tahoe the basin holds more than 50 alpine lakesGold Packer and Lower Sardine are the most popularaccessible by car or hiking boots.The region has its plush sidejust sample the Citron cocktail at sunset at Sardine Lake Resortbut its true heart is easygoing lowkey and thrifty. There are more than 10 pub .....

Lake McDonald

33. Stretching northeast for some 10 miles from near the west entrance to Montanas Glacier National Park Lake McDonald has a beauty that seems easy almost lazy with dense forest sloping down to the glasssmooth water. Lake McDonald is the largest (10 miles long) and deepest (464 feet) body of water in the park. .....

Cool community in South Haven Michigan

34. Park your car in South Haven and then say goodbye to it. This cute Lake Michigan town (60 miles southwest of Grand Rapids) is completely walkable so its easy to stroll between sandy beaches fun restaurants cool galleries and pretty bed and breakfasts. .....

Minocqua Wisconsin

35. This northern Wisconsin resort town (165 miles northwest of Green Bay) has all the ingredients of a great family vacation including more than 3000 lakes in Vilas and Oneida counties. Minocquas quieter lakes are perfect for swimming lessons and sand castles. Meanwhile you can zip across big Lake Minocqua on a wakeboard or check out the MinAqua Bats ski team. Kids love cheering at Scheers Lumberjack Show or digging into an ice cream cone at Hoggie .....

Wisconsin Dells

36. The nickname Water Park Capital of the World is a pretty good clue to the kidappeal of this hilly vacation area near Lake Delton (50 miles northwest of Madison). Waterpark resorts (such as Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park left) plus oldfashioned amusement parks top most itineraries. But The Dells also has three state parks and plenty of spots for grownup relaxation. Try to find time to see the Dells the unique craggy bluffs rising over the Wisco .....