While many people head to the ocean when the warm weather hits, lake based destinations are also great ways to beat the heat. In some ways there are often more available on-the-water opportunities on a lake as opposed to on the ocean. The swimming can be better, some find the lack of salt water to be a good thing, and often lakes are less crowded than the popular ocean beaches. Recreational pursuits on lakes are many with the most popular being jet skiing, boating, swimming, water skiing, and fishing. Here is a look at some of the top lake vacation destinations in the United States.

-Lake Havasu
Lake Havasu resides on the California-Arizona border and sits on the Colorado River. The water making up Lake Havasu is a reservoir built up by the Parker Dam which was built in the 1930’s. The lake takes its name from the Mohave word for “blue water”. Millions of visitors each year head to Lake Havasu for its exceptional fishing and boating related recreational opportunities. On the shores of Lake Havasu is Lake Havasu City. Interesting things of note regarding Lake Havasu city include that it was founded by the founder of the McCulloch Chainsaw company and that to get into the city you cross over the old London Bridge which was disassembled in London and shipped to Arizona to be reassembled.

Lake Havasu Sunset

-Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is located in north central Washington State and is known for a number of unique features. The lake is over 50 miles in length, even though at its widest it measures just over a mile in width. The lake is the third deepest lake in the United States at a depth of over 1,400 feet. On the southeastern end of the lake sits the city of Chelan, a small town that attracts thousands of visitors in the summer months. Lake Chelan is a great destination for fishing trips as well as for those looking to water ski and jet ski. On the northwester tip of the lake sits the community of Stehekin. Stehekin is one of only a few incorporated towns in the United States that cannot be reached by road. The small settlement has roads of its own and caters to vacationers, but the only way it can be reached is by boat, float plane, or hiking trail. One of the main draws of Lake Chelan is that with over fifty miles of lake to explore, it isn’t hard to find your own area of water that is far away from other people.

Lake Chelan

-Lake Michigan
With major population sources like Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois on its shores, Lake Michigan sees many visitors year round. Lake Michigan offers incredible views and great water recreation opportunities. The beaches of Lake Michigan are sometimes referred to as America’s third coast because of their sandy appearance. The beaches are sandiest on the southern and eastern sides, while the western and northern sides of the lake have more rock covered beaches. While the Chicago skyline is an impressive view that can be seen when on the lower Michigan or Indiana shoreline, one of the interesting facts about Lake Michigan is that when visiting it while in the state of Wisconsin, it is so wide that it resembles an ocean because you cannot see all the way across it. Two National Parks sit on the shore of Lake Michigan as well as two National Forests, there are also numerous state parks on the shore as well as four lighthouses that accept visitors.

-Lake Mead
When people head to the Las Vegas area and they want outdoor recreation, odds are they are heading to Lake Mead. Lake Mead stretches over 100 miles behind the impressive Hoover Dam and its original purpose was to provide water to the communities of Nevada and Southern California. With over 100 miles of lake to explore, boating is by far the most popular activity on Lake Mead. One of the things that makes Lake Mead extremely unique is that due to the nature of its formation, that of filling a canyon area with water, there are a great many side channels that one can only reach by small boat or jet ski. Renting a house boat for an extended stay is also a popular activity on Lake Mead.

Lake Mead

-Flathead Lake
The largest freshwater lake in the western United States is Flathead Lake located in Montana. The lake sits at approximately 30 miles long and 16 miles wide. Its location near Glacier National Park and the fact that it is surrounded by two popular scenic highways make it a popular destination of locals and tourists alike. The lake offers incredible views of the local Salish and Mission mountains and is truly a one of a kind vacation experience in terms of recreational possibilities and seclusion. Several small islands dot Flathead Lake, including Wild Horse Island which is actually a state park and a worthwhile visit. The lake is extremely popular with anglers as well as watercraft enthusiasts and with over 190 miles of surface water there is usually enough room for both groups to operate without infringing on the other.

Vacations to lake destinations are different and unique when compared to ocean vacations. Beach activity is still available and encouraged, but there are more opportunities for the average person to actually be on the water. Many destinations that sit on lakes cater to a particular kind of vacationer. Whether you are a college student, experienced fisherman, or are looking for a great place to take your family, a lake based vacation could be exactly what you need.

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