USA TODAY 10Best
Find your next vacation spot at one of these 10 amazing lakes in the US
Best Lake (2024)
Lakes across the United States have plenty to offer for those who enjoy the great outdoors. From fishing and boating to swimming and camping, you can enjoy scenic views, wildlife, water sports, and fresh air and sunshine. Plus, when some lakes are frozen over in winter, there's still lots to do, like ice skating and ice fishing!
An expert panel nominated their top picks for the best lakes in the country, then readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best lakes in the United States.
- Lake Cumberland - Kentucky
- Lake Austin - Texas
- Lake Champlain - New York and Vermont
- Lake Coeur d'Alene - Idaho
- Big Bear Lake - California
- Lake Tahoe - California and Nevada
- Lake Michigan - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin
- Lake Superior - Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
- Geneva Lake - Wisconsin
- Lake Erie - New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of Lake Cumberland Tourism
No. 10:
The southern reaches of Kentucky play host to Lake Cumberland, a 102-square-mile reservoir that's split between five counties. Though originally created as a source of hydroelectric power, the body of water has become a top spot for outdoor recreation over the years, providing ample opportunity for both boating and fishing.
Photo courtesy of dszc / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 9:
No visit to the Texas state capital is complete without making the journey to Lake Austin, a massive reservoir that was carved into the western edge of the city in the late 1930s. While fishing and swimming are both popular activities around the lake, it's best known for the high concentration of boaters that congregate on sunny days.
Photo courtesy of Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST)
No. 8:
Vermont is renowned for its sprawling mountain ranges, and the state is no stranger to gorgeous water features either. Case in point: Lake Champlain, a massive body of water that runs 107 miles along the New York-Vermont border. In terms of urban exploration, Burlington is a particularly popular drinking and dining destination on the Champlain shore, while there's a wealth of parks and islands for nature lovers to explore as well.
Photo courtesy of step2626 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 7:
The idyllic beauty of northern Idaho is on full display across Lake Coeur d'Alene, a stunning natural feature that was formed during the last ice age. In addition to playing a prominent role in Indigenous Schitsu'umsh history, the lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and bird-watching during the warmer months.
Photo courtesy of Visit Big Bear
No. 6:
Whether you visit during peak summer or the most frigid depths of winter, there's a massive array of activities to enjoy across Big Bear Lake, the largest recreational body of water in Southern California. During the snowy season, the region is particularly popular for skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings top-tier fishing opportunities, with anglers gathering to search for rainbow trout.
Photo courtesy of Rachid Dahnoun / Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
No. 5:
Renowned worldwide for its incredible beauty, Lake Tahoe serves as one of the most stunning natural features to grace both Californian and Nevadan soil. While it's certainly a wonder to behold, Lake Tahoe is home to far more than just abundant natural beauty, with amenities ranging from nice casinos to waterfront dining spots to ultra-idyllic shoreside bike paths.
Photo courtesy of Pure Michigan
No. 4:
Perched along the borders of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the aptly named Lake Michigan serves as the largest lake on Earth to reside solely in one country. In addition to gorgeous natural sites like Indiana Dunes National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Lake Michigan coast is lined with dazzling cities like Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago, offering visitors an opportunity to blend outdoor adventure with urban exploration during their trips.
Photo courtesy of Michigannut // Getty Images
No. 3:
Measuring in at a staggering 31,700 square miles, Lake Superior has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake on planet Earth. This colossal body of water plays host to a massive array of native marine life including lake sturgeon, yellow perch, and walleye, while human settlements around the region span from Canada's Thunder Bay to the scenic Michigan Upper Peninsula city of Marquette.
Photo courtesy of VISIT Lake Geneva
No. 2:
A natural water feature found between Chicago and Milwaukee, Geneva Lake serves as one of Wisconsin's most popular summer vacation destinations. During a visit, outdoor recreation options range from bird-watching to zip lining to sunbathing on the lake's sandy shoreline, while the city of Lake Geneva is perfect for sampling local beer and cheese.
Photo courtesy of Shores & Islands Ohio
No. 1:
It may be the shallowest of North America's Great Lakes, but Lake Erie has a massive amount of potential when it comes to both tourism and outdoor adventure. Buffalo, Cleveland, and Toledo are just a few of the storied cities that can be explored along the Erie shore, while recreation opportunities range from fishing to bird-watching to shipwreck diving.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Alen Baker
Alen Baker is the Founder of the Fly Fishing... Read More
Alen Baker is the Founder of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City, North Carolina, served on the NC Wildlife Federation Board for 10 years and as a volunteer leader in Trout Unlimited for over 30 years. He is the author of Rocky River TU: The First Twenty-Five Years, Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, and My Flyfishing Playbook. Baker is a member of the Southern Trout Magazine – Legends of the Fly Hall of Fame, Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Fame and Rocky River Trout Unlimited Hall of Fame. He has fished for trout in over a dozen states and as far away as Tasmania and traveled to Nova Scotia for Atlantic salmon but overall prefers Southern Appalachian fly fishing for trout.
Alen Baker
Alen Baker is the Founder of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City, North Carolina, served on the NC Wildlife Federation Board for 10 years and as a volunteer leader in Trout Unlimited for over 30 years. He is the author of Rocky River TU: The First Twenty-Five Years, Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, and My Flyfishing Playbook. Baker is a member of the Southern Trout Magazine – Legends of the Fly Hall of Fame, Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Fame and Rocky River Trout Unlimited Hall of Fame. He has fished for trout in over a dozen states and as far away as Tasmania and traveled to Nova Scotia for Atlantic salmon but overall prefers Southern Appalachian fly fishing for trout.
Angelica Talan
Angelica Talan is the founder & editor of two... Read More
Angelica Talan is the founder & editor of two popular Washington, D.C. based blogs, Angelica In The City and Clarendon Moms. She has written articles for Arlington Magazine, DUN magazine and has been featured on several Washington, D.C. based television news channels to share family travel tips. A passionate fly fishing enthusiast, Angelica is one of the current brand ambassadors for TakeMeFishing.org and a brand ambassador for the Trout Routes an app dedicated to making fly fishing more accessible and a brand ambassador for Fishewear, a women’s line of fly fishing clothing and accessories based out of Alaska. Angelica has served over three years as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Liason for United Women On The Fly and is excited to continue to connect with others in the great outdoors and to be a source of positive inspiration for those interested in learning to fly fish. You can connect with her on Instagram, TikTok and X.
Angelica Talan
Angelica Talan is the founder & editor of two popular Washington, D.C. based blogs, Angelica In The City and Clarendon Moms. She has written articles for Arlington Magazine, DUN magazine and has been featured on several Washington, D.C. based television news channels to share family travel tips. A passionate fly fishing enthusiast, Angelica is one of the current brand ambassadors for TakeMeFishing.org and a brand ambassador for the Trout Routes an app dedicated to making fly fishing more accessible and a brand ambassador for Fishewear, a women’s line of fly fishing clothing and accessories based out of Alaska. Angelica has served over three years as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Liason for United Women On The Fly and is excited to continue to connect with others in the great outdoors and to be a source of positive inspiration for those interested in learning to fly fish. You can connect with her on Instagram, TikTok and X.
Dan Rice
Dan Rice has been a fly angler for more than... Read More
Dan Rice has been a fly angler for more than thirty years, and has held such occupations as a Hydrologic Technician for the USGS in Wyoming, and Manager of Fly Fishing Trip Sales for Montana Angler in Bozeman. He is the author of The Unpeopled Season: A Journal of Solitude and Wilderness, and editor of the book Familiar Waters: A Lifetime of Fly Fishing Montana. He is the founder of Riverfeet Press Books, and lead guide at Riverfeet Fly Fishing in Abingdon, VA. Learn more here: www.riverfeetflyfishing.com
Dan Rice
Dan Rice has been a fly angler for more than thirty years, and has held such occupations as a Hydrologic Technician for the USGS in Wyoming, and Manager of Fly Fishing Trip Sales for Montana Angler in Bozeman. He is the author of The Unpeopled Season: A Journal of Solitude and Wilderness, and editor of the book Familiar Waters: A Lifetime of Fly Fishing Montana. He is the founder of Riverfeet Press Books, and lead guide at Riverfeet Fly Fishing in Abingdon, VA. Learn more here: www.riverfeetflyfishing.com
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer... Read More
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She... Read More
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Molly O'Brien
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance... Read More
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home. Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations. She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling. Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!). You can connect with Molly here: Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com
Molly O'Brien
Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home. Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations. She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling. Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!). You can connect with Molly here: Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com
Shea Peters
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent... Read More
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on Instagram and Twitter.
Shea Peters
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on Instagram and Twitter.
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best... Read More
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea... Read More
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels .
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels .
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
