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10 Lakes for Summer Fun

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There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than cooling off in a lake. There are lakes scattered across the country that offer a variety of experiences to take the heat off when temperatures soar. These 10 cool lakes feature plenty of amenities to please everyone in the crowd, while also providing a scenic backdrop to enhance your lake vacation experience and photos.

While you enjoy these outdoor lake adventures, please be safe in and around the water. Check out these water safety tips from our friends with the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is one of the nation's leading federal providers of outdoor recreation with more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states. Life jackets save lives!

Use our Trip Builder tool to find local lakes and help plan for your next trip!

A cool way to beat the summer heat – go jump in a lake!

Lake Michigan

Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan

Huron-Manistee National Forests (US Forest Service)

As the second largest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan covers 22,400 square miles (58,016 km²) and provides limitless options for water recreation. The Huron-Manistee National Forests, located two hours north of Grand Rapids on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, offer a unique lake-cation experience at Lake Michigan Recreation Area. Book your summer stay at Lake Michigan at Manistee campground, with lakefront views, sandy swimming beaches, fishing, and non-motorized boating opportunities. The recreation area also contains picnic tables, a playground, biking trails, and direct trail access to Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area for hiking.

Paulina Lake

Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Oregon

A pair of kayakers paddling along the shore of a cerulean blue lake at the base of a mountain.

Paulina Lake (Anna Sereno, Share the Experience)

It’s not every day that you get to swim in the caldera of a volcano! Paulina Lake, located within Newberry National Volcanic Monument, is both a breathtakingly gorgeous and one-of-a-kind recreation experience. Can’t wait to see it for yourself? You can read more about this incredible relic of geologic history here.

John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir

Virginia & North Carolina

Peachy-orange sunset and streaks of clouds in the sky reflected on a still lake

John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir (US Army Corps of Engineers)

Spanning the border of central Virginia and North Carolina lies John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir, with 800 miles (1287.5 km) of wooded, cove-studded shoreline to explore. Campers and day-trippers enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking nature trails across the 30 recreation areas around Kerr Reservoir. Rudds Creek Recreation Area, Longwood Park, and North Bend Park are ideal family camping spots, with many amenities, playgrounds, and pet-friendly policies.

Canyon Ferry Lake

Montana

Low mountain foothills behind a large lake

Canyon Ferry Lake (US Bureau of Reclamation)

An hour’s drive from Helena, Canyon Ferry Lake is a hidden gem along the Missouri River. The reservoir is an oasis for water-based activities, from swimming and fishing to jet skiing and windsurfing. Boat ramps are available at some campgrounds for launching personal watercraft, just remember to clean, drain, and dry boats and any other recreational equipment that comes in contact with the water to help stop the spread of invasive species!

Lake Sherwood

Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia

Lake Sherwood (US Forest Service)

Even though West Virginia’s summers are short, why not cool off in the Monongahela National Forest’s largest lake? Load your family and friends in the car and head to Lake Sherwood for a destination jam-packed with outdoor activities. Hikers have several stunning trails to choose from, while boaters and anglers can explore the lake for tiger muskie, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Pack a picnic lunch, go for a swim, or stay the night and do it all over again – the choice is yours!

Payne Lake

Talladega National Forest, Alabama

A blue sky and clouds reflect off a still lake lined with pine trees

Talladega National Forest (US Forest Service)

The National Forests in Alabama have many hidden gems, and Payne Lake Recreation Area in the Talladega National Forest is just one of them. Payne Lake hosts developed campsites, two bathhouses with restrooms and showers, and plenty of picnic spots. The recreation area is open year-round to boating, fishing, picnicking, and swimming. Day use passes are available online and onsite.

Waco Lake

Texas

Waco Lake (Tom Haines, Share the Experience)

Ready to beat the Texas heat? Waco Lake has got you and your outdoor crew covered! If fishing is your activity of choice, the main shoreline of Midway Park is a haven for catfish, crappie, large and smallmouth bass, and sunfish. Speegleville Park is uniquely situated on a cove, making it a favorite spot for swimming and jet skiing (there’s even a four-lane boat ramp!). Consider booking a mid-week trip for additional availability and calmer waters.

Greers Ferry Lake

Arkansas

Groups of people swim, wade, and relax in a designated swimming area at a lake

Greers Ferry Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers)

Located in the Ozark Mountains of north-central Arkansas, Greers Ferry Lake & Dam offers plenty of scenic camping, fishing, and boating opportunities. Summer temperatures average mid-60s to low-90s (around 18°C to 32°C), ideal for a lake vacation! Cherokee Campground is a great place to make your home base, with shady campsites, a boat ramp, and sweeping views. Dam Site Park is another popular spot, complete with a swimming beach, marina, and playground.

Silver Lake

Inyo National Forest, California

The sky and clouds reflect off a glassy mountain lake

Inyo National Forest (Maria Figueroa, Share the Experience)

At the base of dramatic mountains in the eastern Sierra Nevada, Silver Lake is a high-elevation (7,200 ft/2195 m), 97-acre lake that has long been popular with anglers in quest of rainbow trout. You may also want to make Silver Lake Campground your home base, with 63 sites, a boat ramp, drinking water, restrooms, and trail access to Ansel Adams Wilderness. Before you go, check out these bear facts and safety tips to learn how to best share this idyllic spot with your furry neighbors.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona & Nevada

A kayaker floats through Emerald Cove under an archway of rock over a lake

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Barbara Hertz, Share the Experience)

If you want it, Lake Mead National Recreation Area has it. Just east of Las Vegas lies 1.5 million acres (6070.3 km²) of canyons, mountains, valleys and lakes, offering nearly every recreation opportunity you could imagine. The park is open year-round, so you can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, and lakeview camping whenever you need a lake escape. Check out this list of authorized rentals and guides when planning your trip for additional equipment and experiences. As always, wear your life jacket and read up on the park’s swimming and boating policies to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip!

Explore Related Trips

Bring Home a Story

Hellgate Campground Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana
Las Vegas Bay Campground Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada
Newberry Group Camp Site Paulina Lake, Oregon
June Lake Campground June Lake, California
Lake Michigan At Manistee Campground Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan

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