Top 10 Best Lakes to Visit in the US
The United States has thousands of lakes spread throughout all 50 states, including 12,000 lakes in Minnesota alone, meaning that lake vacations are suitable ... read more...for all styles of travelers. Let's find out some of the Best Lakes in the US below to have more options!
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Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States, situated on the state line between California and Nevada and surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains' snowcapped peaks. With a depth of 1,645 feet, it is the second deepest alpine lake in North America. It's also crystal clear, with visibility reaching 70 feet in some parts and a beautiful fusion of blue colors that change with the weather and the lake's location.
Whether you want to float on fresh powder in the Sierra, go on a family adventure, or just relax and enjoy a night of comfort and luxury, Lake Tahoe has it all. Lake Tahoe attracts sunbathers in the summer, even though the water is cold all year. Skiing in the mountains is available in the winter, with panoramic lake views from the runs. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, on the Nevada side of the lake, features hiking paths and Sand Harbor Beach.
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Oregon is home to America's deepest lake. Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet deep, is the consequence of a volcanic explosion around 8,000 years ago that created a crater that rain and snowmelt eventually filled into a lake.
Crater Lake is the cleanest lake in the United States and the world since it is not fed by any streams or rivers. It's also the clearest, with visibility of up to 100 feet and sunlight reaching 400 feet down. As a result, scuba divers come to Crater Lake to explore the lava structures and moss-covered underwater fields. Fishing is another popular activity on Crater Lake, but fishermen, divers, and visitors who wish to see the lake from the beach must descend 700 vertical feet via the Cleetwood Cove Trail. Only boat cruises departing from Wizard Island, one of Crater Lake's two islands, allow access.
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Lake Powell, the United States' second-largest reservoir, was created by humans. Lake Powell is another of America's most beautiful lakes, formed by damming the Colorado River in Glen Canyon on the Utah-Arizona border.
Straddling northern Arizona and southern Utah, Lake Powell and the surrounding Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offer many leisure activities. This massive lake, which runs about 200 miles from Arizona to Utah and is popular for houseboat vacations, has more than 90 side canyons to explore. Paddleboards and kayaks are other good options for exploring. If you come there, don't miss the natural beauty of Rainbow Bridge, which sits on the edge of one canyon. It is the longest natural arch in the world.
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The United States and Canada have the world's biggest system of interconnected freshwater lakes in terms of total area and second-largest in terms of the total value. This group of five lakes, known as the Great Lakes of North America, holds 21% of the world's fresh water by surface area. All of the lakes, which are located on or near the Canadian border, are connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the St. Lawrence River.
With a shoreline covering four states, Lake Michigan is the third biggest of the Great Lakes and the only one that does not touch Canada. On Lake Michigan, Chicago is a major city. However, the Lower Peninsula area of the lake attracts the majority of visitors. Top attractions include the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which features 450-foot-high sand dunes.
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Lake of the Ozarks is a lake in south-central Missouri, the United States, located in the picturesque Ozark Mountains approximately 42 miles (68 kilometers) southwest of Jefferson City.
The Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest's premier lake resort destination, with world-class boating, golfing, shopping, and fishing, as well as a diverse range of lodging, restaurants, state parks, and other recreational activities, to suit any budget and taste. The lake is famed for its boating scene, and speedboats are particularly popular here because the lake has no horsepower or speed restrictions. It is a popular vacation and resort location, including fishing and water sports facilities. Several limestone caverns may be found nearby. Fishing is fantastic with bass and catfish being the most common species. Hiking and biking trails and lakefront golf courses are available to explore the Lake of the Ozarks from the coastline.
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Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes of North America, and among freshwater lakes, it is the world's largest by surface area and the third-largest by volume. It features 2,700 miles of coastline spanning three states: Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as crossing the border into Canada in Ontario.
This is an excellent lake for fishing, with smallmouth bass, northern pike, whitefish, salmon, and trout, as well as walleye and herring, among other species. The main hub towns for setting up a fishing charter are Duluth, Minnesota, and Bayfield, Wisconsin. With towering sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves, and sandy beaches, the scenery along Lake Superior are also pleasing to the eye. Weather conditions can create ocean-like waves on Lake Superior's North Shore, which you can surf at certain times.
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Lake Havasu is another of Arizona's beautiful lakes and a popular houseboat destination. The lake, which is located on the Arizona-California border, is particularly popular with college students who visit for spring break. The water is warm, and there are several beautiful side canyons to explore on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, with crystal-clear turquoise water, sandstone cliffs, and waterfalls.
Houseboating, jet skiing, water skiing, sailing, fishing, and a variety of other recreational activities draw visitors from all over the country. Because of the rugged terrain, much of the shoreline is inaccessible by land. With few restrictions, Lake Havasu is a boater's paradise. Water skiers and wakeboarders enjoy the smooth water and warm temperatures, while houseboaters enjoy sailing the long channel.
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The lake is located in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, near the foothills of the White Mountains. With 72 square miles, Lake Winnipesaukee is the state's biggest lake. The forested coastline and crystal blue water of this spring-fed lake, which is surrounded by three mountain ranges, make it a popular summer resort and a place to rest and unwind in gorgeous settings while enjoying water sports of all sorts.
On Lake Winnipesaukee, there are many beaches where swimming is popular throughout the summer. A long, sandy swimming area with changing rooms may be found at Ellacoya State Park. Camping is also available. Visitors may explore the numerous villages on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee by boat or by car. An 80-mile loop road may also be used to drive around the entire lake. The journey is long, but it allows you to see all of the different regions, each one offers something unique.
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Hanging Lake, located just outside of Glenwood Springs on the cliffs of Glenwood Canyon, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. The lake is a magnificent deep turquoise that looks like it belongs in a tropical paradise rather than the Rocky Mountains.
To reach to this hidden gem, you'll need a permit to hike the 1.2-mile steep trail (visitors are capped per day to preserve the fragile ecosystem). The trail ultimately changes into a boardwalk, which was built to safeguard the lake bed, which was formed over millions of years by mineral deposits. Hanging Lake is not warm enough to swim, but if you want to get wet, take a short detour on the trail to Sprouting Rock, where you may cool off by standing under a waterfall. After your hike, spend the night in Glenwood Springs, a charming small town.
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With almost 185 miles of coastline, Flathead Lake is the biggest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It is situated between the communities of Polson and Kalispell in Montana's northwest region, close to Glacier National Park. Flathead Lake is best visited in the late spring to early fall due to its location, as the winters are rather cold.
Around the lake, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks maintain thirteen public access sites. Sailing, power boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnics, and camping are all popular activities on and near the lake. Roadside booths along the east shore sell a variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits throughout the summer. There are various motels and rental cabins located around the shoreline, as well as public campgrounds. Kalispell, Bigfork, and Polson, the three largest population areas around the lake, all provide a full range of foods, supplies, and information.