- January 2, 2025 - Updated with new information since originally published.
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- Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.
1. Lady Bird Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Chee - Fotolia.com
2. Lake Coeur D'Alene
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of wollertz - Fotolia.com
3. Lake Placid
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of alpegor - Fotolia.com
4. Lake Charles
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Anthony - Fotolia.com
5. Saratoga Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Kevin Knuth - Fotolia.com
6. Beaver Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of andrea - Fotolia.com
7. Big Bear Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Kit Leong - Fotolia.com
8. Caddo Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of lazyllama - Fotolia.com
9. Crater Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of fotos2sell - Fotolia.com
10. Flathead Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Shane Cotee - Fotolia.com
11. Lake Superior
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of johnsroad7 - Fotolia.com
12. Lake Champlain
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of jgorzynik - Fotolia.com
13. Lake Tahoe
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of maislam - Fotolia.com
14. Lake Chelan
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Patti - Fotolia.com
15. Lake Cumberland
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Stephanie Frey - Fotolia.com
16. Lake Havasu
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Sergei - Fotolia.com
17. Lake Kissimmee
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of tahir - Fotolia.com
18. Lake Michigan
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Kenneth Keifer - Fotolia.com
19. Lake Minnetonka
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Nelson - Fotolia.com
20. Lake of the Ozarks
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of nattyaw1 - Fotolia.com
21. Lake Powell
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Ye - Fotolia.com
22. Lake Travis
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Richard - Fotolia.com
23. Lake Winnebago
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of mybaitshop - Fotolia.com
24. Norris Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of quasarphotos - Fotolia.com
25. West Okoboji Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of swkrullimaging - Fotolia.com
Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:
The United States is home to a staggering 117 million lakes, and many are a fun recreational destination. But there are some that stand out from the crowd, like the seemingly endless waters of the Great Lakes or the mountains that rise up from the edges of the lakes in the Cascades. The lakes on this list offer amazing boating opportunities, including fishing, diving and other watersports.
Map:
Plan Your Trip
