- Updated with new information since originally published.
- Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
- Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.
1. Alice Lake
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© knowlesgallery/stock.adobe.com
2. Alturas Lake, Idaho
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Juhku - Fotolia.com
3. American Falls Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of MaciejBledowski - Fotolia.com
4. Anderson Ranch Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of rsooll - Fotolia.com
5. Arrowrock Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of olga355 - Fotolia.com
6. Bear Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© swisshippo/stock.adobe.com
7. C. J. Strike Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Juhku - Fotolia.com
8. Cocolalla Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Benjamen McLachlan - Fotolia.com
9. Coeur d'Alene Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Andriy Blokhin/stock.adobe.com
10. Dworshak Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of gdvcom - Fotolia.com
11. Hauser Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Gregory Johnston - Fotolia.com
12. Hayden Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Dmitry Naumov - Fotolia.com
13. Hells Canyon Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of hdsidesign - Fotolia.com
14. Henrys Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of DSGNSR - Fotolia.com
15. Independence Lakes, Idaho
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Venera - Fotolia.com
16. Island Park Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Gregory Johnston - Fotolia.com
17. Lake Cascade
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of rck - Fotolia.com
18. Lake Pend Oreille
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© amenohi/stock.adobe.com
19. Lucky Peak Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© knowlesgallery/stock.adobe.com
20. Magic Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Colby - Fotolia.com
21. Palisades Reservoir
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Sherri/stock.adobe.com
22. Payette Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of oneblink1 - Fotolia.com
23. Priest Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© wollertz/stock.adobe.com
24. Twin Lakes
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of knowlesgallery - Fotolia.com
25. Williams Lake
Category:
Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Juhku - Fotolia.com
Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:
From glassy-blue glacier-fed lakes and enormous reservoirs to crystal-clear swimming holes, Idaho is polka-dotted with some of the most beautiful lakes in the country. Made up of mostly untouched mountainous terrain, the Gem State is home to a significant stretch of the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Snake River Plain, all of which feature spectacular, scenic, and tranquil bodies of water to explore and enjoy.
Map:
Plan Your Trip
