10 Must-Visit Lakes in the US
Where to Find the Best Lakes in the US?
Exploring these must-visit lakes in the USA is a fascinating journey through North America’s natural history. Surrounded by a variety of landscapes, from desert flats to old-growth forests, each lake has a unique habitat teeming with wildlife.
Hikers will enjoy the countless trails that wind along shorelines, weave through forests and canyons, or lead to picturesque waterfalls. Water sports enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities for waterskiing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding. These lakes are also some of the best destinations for recreational fishing and tranquil swimming in secluded settings.
1. Crater Lake, OR
A lake in the crater of a collapsed volcano
Good for: Families, Adventure, Photo
Crater Lake is one of Oregon’s most iconic sites. It lies in the caldera of a collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama. With no rivers flowing into it, the lake is sustained by rain and snowmelt, resulting in its mesmerizing deep blue color. Due to the instability of the caldera walls, the Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only access to the lake shore. When you get there, you can swim, fish, or take a boat to explore the lake’s 2 curious islands, Wizard Island and Phantom Ship.
Summer draws hikers to explore the caldera rim, the old-growth forest, and the deep canyons in the surrounding national park. In winter, the landscape is snowy and picturesque, and popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Crater Lake, OR
2. Lake Tahoe, CA and NV
Popular alpine spot for summer sports and skiing
Good for: Families, Photo, Couples
Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in the US. Located on the California-Nevada border high in the Sierra Nevada, it’s a popular destination for summer and winter adventure sports. In warm weather, you can take paddleboards and kayaks out on the crystal-clear waters for an incredible vantage point.
On land, the extensive hiking trails are popular with nature lovers for their incredible vistas and cascading waterfalls. Fall is a treat in South Lake Tahoe where you can see the mature Kokanee salmon turn a deep red as they spawn at Taylor Creek. Winter brings skiers to Lake Tahoe for its 476 miles (767 km) of slopes. Or for something different, you can go cross-country skiing along the lakeshore.
Lake Tahoe, CA and NV
3. Lake Placid, NY
Family destination known for winter sports
Good for: Families, Photo
Lake Placid is a popular family destination in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. In the warmer months, you can find fun lakeside and beach activities like swimming, kayaking, and boating. Nearby, Whiteface Mountain offers stunning views of the lake and its surroundings from 4,600 ft (1,400 meters). In winter it’s a well-known skiing hub.
The town of Lake Placid, 2-time host of the Winter Olympics, is renowned for winter sports and a convenient base for skiing in the area. You can also go ice skating at the Olympic Center, bobsled down the Olympic track, or explore the history of the Games at the Olympics Museum.
Lake Placid, NY
4. Redfish Lake, ID
A majestic alpine setting for nature lovers
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Redfish Lake Idaho is in a beautiful alpine wilderness area with waters so clear you can see the bottom. Redfish gets its name from the bright red sockeye salmon that once filled the lake in the thousands in the summer. Now the fish are endangered. The park has set up a hatchery to help recovery efforts.
Visitors head to Redfish to swim, explore the lake by kayak or paddleboard, or go whitewater rafting on Salmon River. Redfish is a dream for hikers too. Some 350 miles (563 km) of trails meander through the surrounding Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Nearby Elephant’s Perch is one of Idaho’s most famous climbing areas.
Redfish Lake, ID
5. Lake Powell, UT
Emerald waters in a spectacular Red Rock desertscape
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual
Lake Powell lies in the ancient Glen Canyon carved out by the Colorado River in Red Rock desert country. Its 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of shoreline span the borders of Utah and Arizona in a unique landscape where emerald waters contrast rust-colored sedimentary rock formations, resembling a flooded Grand Canyon.
Some of the highlights include the enormous arched rock formation known as Rainbow Bridge, the surreal Antelope Slot Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, a dramatic curve in the Colorado River. Some visitors rent a houseboat to explore the hidden coves and inlets of the huge lake. It’s also a popular fishing spot teeming with bass, catfish, and trout.
Lake Powell, UT
6. Lake Mead, UT
Water sports in the desert
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual
Lake Mead, America’s largest man-made reservoir, lies in a unique rugged desert wilderness. Just south of Las Vegas in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, it’s a convenient escape from the city for water sports or a hiking adventure in one of the park’s 9 wilderness areas.
The lake is popular for swimming, boating, camping, and fishing. Its 750 miles (1,207 km) of meandering shoreline has countless bays and alcoves. Paddleboarding is a great way to explore these and its many small islands as the calm waters make it suitable for all skill levels. Water access points can be closed or moved due to fluctuating water levels, so check before you go.
Lake Mead, UT
7. Lake Crescent, WA
Stunning glacial lake surrounded by lush old-growth forest
Good for: Families, Photo, Couples
Lake Crescent, located in the Olympic National Park in Washington State, was carved by a glacier some 7,000 years ago. Today it’s a stunning spot, with deep blue waters surrounded by lush, tree-lined mountains. You can rent kayaks and canoes to go out on the water. The best time to go is early morning before the winds pick up in the afternoon and the parking lot fills up.
The other main draw is the hiking trails. For easy hikes through old-growth forest try the Marymere Falls and the Moments in Time Trails. The popular Spruce Railroad hike follows the shoreline, and the Mount Storm King trail is challenging but worth it for the sweeping views.
Lake Crescent, WA
8. Flathead Lake, MT
A pristine freshwater lake with a scenic mountain backdrop
Good for: Families, Photo, Couples
Flathead Lake in Montana is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. It’s the remnants of an inland sea that covered the area 13,000 years ago. The water is so clear it looks shallow even though it’s 370 ft (120 meters) at its deepest point.
Flathead Lake is one of the world’s cleanest lakes. It would be ideal for open-water swimming, but the water is only warm enough in July and August. Exploring the lake by boat is a popular alternative. The surrounding Flathead National Forest has biking and walking tracks. But take precautions as the area is home to both black and grizzly bears. There’s also a mythical lake monster called Flossie, according to local lore.
Flathead Lake, MT
9. Santeethlah Lake, NC
A biodiverse sanctuary with abundant birdlife and wildlife
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Santeetlah Lake, NC is a secluded recreational lake in the protected Nantahala National Forest. It’s a serene setting with 3,000 acres of open water surrounded by rolling green hills, old-growth forest, and a biodiverse ecology. It’s ideal for exploring the branches and coves by kayak, canoe, or houseboat.
The lake is a haven for birdlife so make sure to take your binoculars. There are frequent sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, tufted titmice, cardinals, and many more avian species. Woodland creatures are abundant in the surrounding forests and visitors often spot otters, black bears, and beavers. Fishing is a treat at Santeetlah Lake as it teems with trout, bass, catfish, and many more species.
Santeethlah Lake, NC
10. Moosehead Lake, ME
A scenic lake with summer and winter activities
Good for: Families, Couples, Adventure
Moosehead Lake in Maine is shaped like a moose, antlers included. It’s a large lake, 40 miles (64 km) long, and a serene and scenic place to relax. Or you can go on a moose safari and spot the real thing in the wild.
Moosehead Lake attracts visitors for recreational fishing with its abundance of landlocked salmon and trout. In the summer months, it’s warm enough for swimming and boating and draws families looking for outdoor adventures. Ice fishing is popular in the winter when the lake freezes over and you can walk or snowmobile across it.
Moosehead Lake, ME
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