The warm summer weather gets most people out and about, exploring, hiking, enjoying the sunshine and the green grass and best of all, playing in the water. Scorching summer days make water activities, and sports fun for everyone as they splash and swim to cool off. Kids are out of school and parents to have scheduled vacations to seashores, beaches, pools, or lakes. What water activity would you like to do this summer? Try swimming and have summer fun with your friends and family at one of the best lakes in the U.S.
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Lake Tahoe, one of the best lakes in the U.S.
This lake lies in two states, in both California and Nevada. It has been argued as the most beautiful lake in the U.S. The colors are a lovely Caribbean blue to a dark navy color, depending on the depth and the area of the lake and the surrounding mountains and trees provide a backdrop you can only see to believe. It is popular for boating, swimming, fishing and other water activities. The scenery and the water are the primary draws to the lake. After Crater Lake, this is the second deepest lake in the U.S. Rentals are located around the lake for kayaking, paddle boards, and many other water activities.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan has over 1600 miles of beaches, more than any other lake in America! This, of course, makes it a fantastic place to hang out at the beach. Families, friends, couples, and singles are all welcome to play in the cool waters during the summer heat. As one of the five best lakes in the U.S., Lake Michigan provides excellent fishing opportunities as the lake is stocked with all sorts of fish like steelhead, brown trout, Chinook salmon, as well as home to lake trout, yellow perch, largemouth bass and lake whitefish.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell also spans two states. It lies in Arizona and Utah and spans for over 200 miles with many side canyons and areas where you may be the only people around. Tall, red rock cliffs from the edges around the sunken lake create an amazing scene and spectacular colors as the sun sets. The lake is primarily located in a desert type atmosphere, making the blue water even more dramatic in the dry area and against the red rocks. It is a major vacation area, with over 2 million people visiting every year. The summer months are busy and exciting on the lake, so see where many people in the west come to play in the water.
Lake Placid
From the stunning red rocks of the desert wilderness of Lake Powell, we travel across the country to New York State to Lake Placid. Lake Placid is the total opposite of Lake Powell, surrounded by the rolling green hills and mountains of the Adirondack Mountains. This body of water is particularly known for hosting the 1932 and the 1980 winter Olympics. This place has fun all year round, but the hot summer sun beckons swimmers and water enthusiasts to its shores. Fly-fishing is very popular in the waters here, as well as just plain old fun. Grab a float or a tube and work on that tan on Lake Placid.
Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier is a Georgia reservoir that was created by the Buford Dam. Nearly 8 million people visit the lake for summer fun in the sun, and there are also marinas and a waterpark that people flock to. The most favorite things to do are jet skiing, houseboats, and regular boats! If you have a boat, this is the place for you to visit this summer. Don’t have a boat? No problem, as there are boat rentals situated around the shore for your convenience. Join the millions that head for Lake Lanier to enjoy their laid-back summer days.
Crater Lake
Care to take a plunge in the deepest lake in the United States? The lake is a flooded volcano and is amazing for scuba divining. The water is quite chilly, so swimmers beware! There are no rivers that feed the lake, and most of its water comes from rain or the melted snow and snowfall. The lake is stocked with fish, as there is no way for fish to get into the lake otherwise. The water is famous for its clarity and deep blue hue, attracting many visitors and swimmers in the summer months. The lake is located in beautiful Oregon State, and the scenic views from the rim of the volcano lake are fantastic! How many can say they have swum in a flooded volcano?
Lake Havasu
Are you looking for a party? Lake Havasu during spring break can be wild and crazy, most other times during the hot summer months in Arizona and California. The lake is filled with boats, tubers, skiers, swimmers, fishing, and people just generally looking to have a good time. The lake lies on the border between Arizona and California and has a famous bridge called the London Bridge that was dismantled in London, England and brought to Lake Havasu and reassembled. The lake does have some beaches full of soft sand, although many of them you have to reach by boat. The dry, hot air of the surrounding desert makes this water source fantastic for people in the neighboring states to vacation to and relax in.
Trophy Lakes
Located just a few miles from Charleston, South Carolina, the two lakes known as the Trophy Lakes were created for water skiers. Water skiing jumps, courses, and a school were provided in the early days of the lakes, and today water skiing is still as popular and with it comes wakeboarding and tubing. Ski and wake instructors are still available, and they are among some of the best in the business. This is a wakeboarders and water skier’s paradise! If you don’t know how to do either, some fantastic instructors can teach you how on one of the beautiful Trophy Lakes.
Across the Nation
There are tons of lakes scattered across the nation to choose from. The ones described made the list of some of the most visited and most popular, but there are many more choices out there for you. Do you want to fish, swim, float, or sunbathe? Then any of these best lakes in the U.S. are the choice for you to have some summer fun in this year! Most are close to accommodations, restaurants, and activities to fill your evenings or when you need a break from the sun. Explore the U.S. and dive into one of these best lakes in the U.S. this summer for a chance to cool off.
