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December 9, 2019

Best Lake Vacations in the U.S.

A family vacation to a lake can be the perfect getaway for a number of reasons. Lakes are inherently tranquil and peaceful, they afford you with the opportunity to really bond with your family, and there is a lot of flexibility in what you do during a lake vacation.

For example, you might spend your time on the water, hiking nearby trails, or simply admiring the views.

best lake vacations in the us

Lake vacations can be less expensive than other destinations as well, so if you’re thinking about a family lake getaway, the following are some options you might consider.

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake is located near Branson, Missouri, and you can enjoy all the entertainment and excitement of Branson itself, but also the calm, relaxation of the lake. Table Rock Lake features almost 800 miles of Shoreline, and many of the best Branson hotels and resorts are located along these shores.

There are, in fact, more than 100 resorts adjacent to Table Rock Lake, as well as campsites.

Table Rock Lake is beautiful with clear water, and hidden beaches tucked away, as well as deeply forested areas surrounding the shores.

Moonshine Beach is a popular area of the beach, and it’s adjacent to the Dewey Short Visitor Center Recreation Area. There are wide, sandy beaches, and you can dive, picnic or hike.

A less crowded part of the lake is the Beaver area, which is on the southwest corner of the lake.

Cape Fair is off Highway 75, and it’s known for swimming options.

The State Park Marina offers boat and wave runner rentals, and you can rent a pontoon at Indian Point Marina.

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is located in south-central Oregon, and it’s the primary feature of Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is known for the deep, blue color and how clear the water is.

The lake was formed more than 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama collapsed, and it’s the deepest lake in the United States. Crater Lake is also the ninth deepest in the world.

There are two islands, which are Wizard Island and Phantom Ship Island.

The lake is fed only by rain or snow because there are no rivers in or out of it, and surrounding the lake are old-growth forests.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is found in California and Nevada, and millions of people visit the area every year. The lake is surrounded by mountains and cliffs, and during the winter it’s a ski area. During the warm-weather months, people flock to the lake for swimming and water sports.

Lake Tahoe features hiking trails, beautiful scenery, and you can take scenic cruises.

If you go to the north shore of the lake, it’s more like San Francisco with high-end shopping and dining. If you go to the south shore, there are casinos and more options in-line with nearby Reno.

Lake Coeur d’Alene

Lake Coeur d’ Alene is located in Idaho, and what was once an under-the-radar destination is now a star-studded place for travel, but it still maintains its sense of solitude and natural beauty.

Lake Coeur d’ Alene is the second-largest in Idaho, and it’s over 26 miles long, boasting around 135 miles of shoreline.

There are many boat ramps around the lake, and there are sandy beaches.

There’s the North Idaho Centennial Trail, which runs along the waterfront, and there are parks outside of the city, including Mineral Ridge and Heyburn State Park.

Finger Lakes

Finger Lakes is a region of central New York. There are several state parks in the Finger Lakes region, including Taughannock Falls and Watkins Glen.

The Finger Lakes region includes 11 glacier lakes where you can boat and fish, and if you like wine this is a great destination for you as well. There are many wineries and wine trails in the Finger Lakes region.

Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago is the largest lake in Wisconsin, and one of the things it’s best known for is its windsurfing and kite surfing. There are shallow areas of the lake, so the water temperatures can get very warm in the summer months, and the lake hosts the annual Wind Power Championships in September.

Lake Winnebago is pretty massive, spanning 138,000 acres, and the average depth is only 15.5 feet.

This is a fisherman’s paradise a well. It’s one of the top places to catch walleye in the entire nation, and you might also catch bluegill, largemouth bass, perch, white bass, and catfish in the lake.

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About

I started Vanilla Mist as a hobby and to be completely honest with you, I really had no idea what I was doing at the time. I just wanted to share my creations with others and inspire people.

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  • Emergency Root Canals: When Saving The Tooth Is Still Possible
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  • How Technology Creates Faster, More Accurate Dental Restorations
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