The 11 best lakes in the USA for your vacation

Diving off a pier, grilling by the shore, napping in a hammock, gliding along in a boat at sunset, playing ball on the beach – summer by a lake in the USA is the kind of idyllic vacation that keeps you going all winter long. The country's thousands of lakes ripple with water sports, of both the human-propelled and motorized varieties, and the water can sometimes be warmer than the ocean. Then there's that easy quiet that you can only find on the edge of a dock, lazily dragging your fingertips to break the mirrored surface.

These 11 lakes in the US top our editors' wish lists for summer vacation.

1. Bear Lake, Utah

Best color

Gazing out over the expanse of Bear Lake, you'd be forgiven if you thought you were in the Caribbean. Limestone gives this basin its distinctly turquoise hue. Situated well inland, along the Utah and Idaho border, Bear Lake is thought to be one of the oldest lakes in all of North America, at least 250,000 years old, owing its existence to a fault line that’s still deepening the lake to this day.

Beyond this history, Bear Lake is a recreational joy, with folks coming from far and wide to boat, sail, fish, ski and lounge on its alternately sandy and rocky beaches. Due to the area’s unique climate, Bear Lake is also well known for its abundance of delicious raspberries; don't miss the shakes and smoothies for sale in the businesses around its shores.

–Bailey Freeman

2. Lake Champlain, Vermont and New York

Best for diving

Legend says that Champ, an enormous aquatic reptile, lurks below the surface of Lake Champlain. Luckily, there's no need to worry about this mythological mascot. At the so-called Sixth Great Lake, wedged between New York's Adirondacks and Vermont's Green Mountains, motorboats whiz across the surface and scuba divers descend to the 300 shipwrecks below. Explore the country's bloody beginnings at sites like New York's Fort Ticonderoga, Vermont's Mt Independence and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. And if you visit nearby Burlington – Vermont's largest city – innovative microbreweries and farm-to-table restaurants are a stone's skip away from shore.

Lean into lake life by staying on one of Champlain's many islands. In summer, the population on pastoral escapes like Isle La Motte and South Hero nearly doubles as vacationers arrive to camp, paddle and fish around waterfront parks. Anglers beware: you might spot a 6ft-long sturgeon roaming in the deep – the closest you'll get to a modern-day Champ.

–John Garry

3. Lake George, New York

Best for foliage

I can’t promise lots of quiet time here. Truthfully, this place is booming during the summer months. But when you see the dense foliage, the small town and, of course, the gorgeous lake that bears the same name of many sites, the crowds are a fair compromise. Lake George, located in the Adirondacks region of New York, is a 4-hour drive north of New York City, but it might as well be a different country. There are so many trees, and the air feels lighter as you head up I-87.

Fully lean into this small-town life by booking passage on a steamboat for a tour around the lake, then pop into Nina’s Sweet Shoppe for a scoop of maple walnut or blackberry cheesecake ice cream. No matter where you venture, the lake remains a centerpiece of activity; boats cruise across with squealing participants tugged behind or soaring a few feet above the water. Lakeside restaurants buzz with conversation.

My family often went to Lake George during autumn, when the leaves change into vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. The crowds thin, the air crisps, and the lake seems calmer. Even my moody teenage self could appreciate the serenity.

–Alicia Johnson

4. Cayuga Lake, New York

Best for vineyards

New York's 11 glacier-gouged Finger Lakes splay across the landscape like a giant's slender hand. Tiny towns, vineyards, forests and farmland sparkle along shores like charms on a bracelet, and Cayuga – the longest lake – is the most well adorned. Follow the 87-mile scenic byway looping Cayuga for a weekend excursion that satisfies everyone from oenophiles to ornithologists.

Ithaca, a hippie haunt with Ivy League pedigree, anchors Cayuga's southern tip, hosting favorites like Moosewood (the nation's longest-running vegetarian restaurant) and Ithaca Beer Co (a craft chemist heaven). If you're curious why every sign in town declares "Ithaca is Gorges," hike through Taughannock Falls State Park, where a 215ft cascade carves through the cliffs. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, on Cayuga's northern shore, is another must-see park; at this one, bald eagles rule the roost.

The Finger Lakes are New York's answer to the Napa Valley in California. More than 100 vineyards blanket the region, and on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, you can taste what they do best: riesling, pinot gris and cabernet franc. If you need a designated driver, consider a Water to Wine boat tour, which shuttles small groups to Cayuga's lakeside vintners.

–John Garry

5. Lake Michigan

Best for water sports

The Great Lake State is ringed with magnificent bodies of water, but none is better for an old-fashioned summer vacation than Lake Michigan. Partake of all the expected wet and wild activities here, such as fishing, swimming, sailing and even surfing. Plus, Lake Michigan has a few features that make it extra special, such as its two dozen lighthouses, including the photogenic Ludington North Breakwater Light. Another place to explore is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which protects a magnificent landscape of sand and sky, with dunes towering hundreds of feet above the water.

The massive body of freshwater creates a mesoclimate in the southwest corner of the state, ideal for wine growing; follow the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail to get a taste. And up and down the coast, towns from New Buffalo to Harbor Springs offer eclectic shopping, sophisticated dining and, best of all, technicolor sunsets over the lake.

–Mara Vorhees

6. Lake Chelan, Washington

Best for hiking

Stretching more than 50 miles across north-central Washington, Lake Chelan's terrain provides recreational diversity in its accessible parks, remote wilderness and popular wineries.

If it floats, it fits at Lake Chelan. There are launches for motorized and paddle sports out of Lake Chelan State Park and myriad options for rentals if you don’t have your own equipment. Families will enjoy kid-friendly beaches like Don Morse Park and Field’s Point, or the Slidewaters amusement park and waterslides.

On the shore, hikers can access 14 major trailheads to tracks within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Mountain bikers looking for fat-tire fun can pedal at a leisurely pace to Stormy Mountain, a 1.5-mile ride, or the longer, tougher Devil’s Backbone, which connects to other trails along its 13-mile route. Wine aficionados can visit one of the 30 vintners along Lake Chelan’s shores and see why the glacial soils produce exquisite wines.

For a quieter experience, catch a boat “up lake” to the tiny community of Stehekin, nestled at the head of Lake Chelan. It's a jumping-off point for backcountry adventures between June and early October, like trail rides, hikes and history tours of the Stehekin valley. Stay overnight at a cabin or one of two lodges near town.

–Erin Kirkland

7. Lake Washington, Washington

Best near a city

Lake Washington, lapping at Seattle's shore, has an undeniable charm. Not only is it huge, at nearly 34 sq miles, it can accommodate every type of lake life lover. Grab some friends and go out on a boat, balance atop a paddleboard while enjoying the view, or take a dip closer to shore. There are tons of public beaches surrounding the lake: Madison Beach is a local favorite, with grassy hills to spread out on and savor the sun, a sandy shoreline, and diving boards. On clear days, you can even see a perfect view of the towering Mt Rainier in the distance.

Seattle itself is a gem of a city, where nature and urban life combine for the perfect summer adventure. There are several other swimmable lakes right in the city, so you can always spend a summer day enjoying the cool water before hitting the town in the evening.

–Chamidae Ford

8. Grand Lake, Colorado

Best for a boardwalk

Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest and deepest natural body of water, a high-elevation lake with clear waters and spectacular mountain views. It’s popular for boating and paddling, which are good ways to explore the hidden coves, beaches and islands. Pontoons, kayaks and paddleboards can be rented from Grand Lake Marina & Boaters Choice. You can also enjoy the views from the lake’s namesake town; the historic district is dotted with art galleries and homegrown cafes, like the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill (known for its wild game dishes). A boardwalk hugs part of the lake’s north shore, a go-to spot for souvenirs, ice cream cones or a midday pint.

Just a mile away is the western entrance to the breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park, with its epic hiking, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing (not to mention Trail Ridge Road, one of the most scenic drives in the state). Several small hotels around Grand Lake make good base camps; the Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge is among the most affordable, with dorm rooms and cozy riverfront cabins.

– Liza Prado

9. Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona

Best in a canyon

Speeding through the seemingly endless canyons of Lake Powell on a motorboat feels otherworldly. The crystal-clear blue waters lap against canyon walls, the lines of time indicated by slight variations in the red rocks as they climb to the sky. And while you know this amount of water shouldn’t exist in a desert of this magnitude, being here feels like discovering an oasis.

The lake was formed when the Glen Canyon Dam was created in 1972, flooding the Colorado River into Glen Canyon and creating the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. While it sits mostly in Utah, it also touches Arizona. Rent a houseboat for a week and motor from one secluded canyon spur to the next. Spend your days exploring the massive lake, watch the sky positively adorn itself at sunset every evening, then sleep under the glittering stars. And don’t miss a trip to Castle Rock. The view from the water is monumental.

–Sarah Stocking

10. Table Rock Lake, Missouri and Arkansas

Best for families

Draping over the border between southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, the artificial Table Rock Lake is popular for boating and enjoying nature – there’s nothing better than getting up at sunrise to water-ski the smooth-as-glass surface. And given the close proximity to Branson, it is easy to break from the outdoors in that family-friendly entertainment city for dinner, a show or shopping, or to pop over to the theme park Silver Dollar City.

The lake has a great family atmosphere and lots of affordable lodging, from rustic cabins to condos with a view, and a budget vacation with no shortage of priceless memories is well within reach. Those looking for a luxury experience can head to Big Cedar Lodge, a posh resort developed by Bass Pro Shops founder and conservationist Johnny Morris along the banks of the lake. Grab one of the private cabins for Adirondack vibes in the middle of the country.

– Melissa Yeager

11. Lake Martin, Alabama

Best for socializing

Lake culture thrives in Alabama, and every summer (and fall and spring, thanks to the Bama heat), everyone flocks to this massive artifical lake for a slice of its idyllic shoreline. A short drive off Hwy 280 in Alexander City, it’s easy to get to by car, and once you’ve parked, you probably won’t need a set of wheels for the rest of your stay. Everyone gets around the lake by boat – pulling tubes and skiers, stopping at islands to play in the warm, shallow waters; docking for a bite at lakeside restaurants like The Landing at Parker Creek and Kowaliga; and anchoring at jumping rocks, the most famous being Chimney Rock. For a fancy-ish dinner (a sundress or golf shirt vibe), SpringHouse is the place.

Most visitors have second homes here (or know people who know people who have second homes), but you’ll also find short-term rentals all around the lake, as well as a couple of B&Bs. Or you could pitch a tent or park an RV right on the lake at Wind Creek State Park.

–Ann Douglas Lott