America has seemingly countless lakes, and many of them are beautiful, but if you could only see 13 of them, which ones would you choose?
We’ve come up with a list of strong contenders, and to keep it simple, we’re just including lakes you can drive to, and natural lakes only.
Beautiful lakes you have to hike to is a topic for another time!
Lake Tahoe, CA-NV
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This blue gem in the Sierra Nevada is one of the most picturesque and most-loved lakes in the world. A lot of public land surrounds the lake, allowing visitors to access its shores for boating, swimming, hiking, and fishing. There are also trails that ascend to stunning viewpoints of the lake.
Crater Lake, OR
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Another almost unbelievably blue lake, Crater Lake is the centerpiece of the national park named for it. It’s the deepest lake in the U.S. and one of the deepest in the world. Long ago, Mt. Mazama, a volcano, blew its top and left a crater behind. Since then rainfall and snowmelt have filled the crater, producing the jewel you see today.
South Lake, CA
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South Lake is another Sierra Nevada lake, but it’s much less known than Tahoe is. Primarily, it’s an access point for hikes into the John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park, but it’s beautiful on its own and makes a great place for a summer day. Just be aware that the mosquitoes are really bad here in the summer, so have bug spray or netting.
Lake Superior, MN-MI-WI
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Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and is the largest freshwater lake in the world. It’s so massive that standing on its shores feels like being at the ocean, and winds frequently whip up ocean-like waves. Several state parks, national lakeshores, and other public areas allow plenty of opportunities to access and enjoy this mighty lake. Canada shares this lake, too.
Lower Saranac Lake, NY
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This lake is in huge Adirondack Park, home to New York’s highest mountains. Surrounding mountains make a beautiful backdrop, and the lake is especially beautiful with fall colors and in winter when it sometimes freezes over.
Lake Champlain, NY-VT
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Long and narrow, Lake Champlain is between New York and Vermont but extends into Canada as well. Significant portions of the shore are undeveloped, especially the stretches that are part of New York’s Adirondack Park. Maybe you’ll get lucky and see Champ, or Champy, Lake Champlain’s version of the Loch Ness Monster.
St. Mary Lake, MT
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Going-to-the-Sun Road is the east-west thoroughfare in Glacier National Park and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Its eastern end follows St. Mary Lake for several miles. St. Mary Lake is the largest in the park and rugged, color peaks surround it, making for great views almost everywhere along it.
Lake McDonald, MT
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Lake McDonald is the longest lake in Glacier and is at the western end of Going-to-the-Sun Road. There are many places along the road to stop and access its shores, and boat rentals are available at Lake McDonald Lodge.
Yellowstone Lake, WY
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The largest high-elevation freshwater lake in North America, Yellowstone Lake is along the road system that loops through Yellowstone National Park. There’s even an active geyser basin in the area known as West Thumb. Accessing the shore is easy, and in the summer, some people like to swim in it. Just be aware that like most lakes in this article, Yellowstone’s waters never get warm.
Maroon Lake, CO
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Outside Aspen, Maroon Lake is one of the most-photographed lakes in the country. That’s because it frames the beautiful Maroon Bells, two of the most iconic peaks in America. While it also serves as an access point for hikes into the mountain wilderness, most people visit just to see Maroon Lake and photograph the Bells.
Mirror Lake, UT
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Utah isn’t really known for its natural lakes, but the Uinta Range, the state’s highest mountains, is a notable exception. Mirror Lake is at the heart of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, which offers great views, hiking, off-road driving, camping, fishing, and more.
Tenaya Lake, CA
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During the summer, this lake in the high country of Yosemite National Park is a popular swimming spot. It’s also a beautiful lake, and many like to take pictures from viewpoints that frame Tenaya Peak and Mount Conness. For extraordinary views, take on the climb of Tenaya Peak. Many parties use ropes for this, but some expert climbers go without them in order to move fast.
Mono Lake, CA
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The only California lake on this list not in the Sierra Nevada, Mono Lake nevertheless beautifully frames the High Sierra near Yosemite. What Mono Lake is best known for, however, are the fascinating tufa pinnacles that jut out from the water in a couple locations.
The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World That Everyone Must See
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There’s no way you could ever come up with a definitive list of the world’s most beautiful places. However, if you ask around, some places come up a lot more frequently than others do.
The following are some of the places that people mention over and over again, not in any particular order.
30 Breathtaking Places You Must See Before You Die
The Two Best Scenic Wonders in Each of the Mountain States
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The Mountain States– Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico– have some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the United States. Because they’re so big, it can take a lot of time to visit them, so it helps to be able to plan for some specific destinations.
Following are our choices for the top two must-see outdoor locations in each of these seven states.
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