10 Amazing U.S. Lake Boating Spots To Visit
By Debbie Hanson
Nov 29, 2016
Been looking for new lake boating spots to visit with the family? These 10 spots offer a variety of boating experiences scenic views, easy access and more!
Photo Credit: VisitRenoTahoe.com
Whether your idea of a perfect day on the water means trolling for walleye or wildlife watching from your kayak, you can find plenty of amazing lake boating spots to match your preferences. Looking for scenic views and a lake that can be explored by either motorized or non-motorized boats? If so, grab a paddle or turn the key because these are 10 lake boating spots you will want to visit.
1. Birch Lake, Alaska. It's not hard to understand why boaters are fond of Birch Lake. Stunning mountain views and excellent fishing year-round make it one of the best lake boating spots in the Fairbanks area. In addition to the public boat launch at Birch Lake State Recreation Area, there are amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms.
2. Clear Lake, California. Clear Lake was named to the Take Me Fishing™ 2016 list of Top Fishing & Boating Spots in America based on votes cast by anglers across the country. Aside from the fact that a number of professional bass fishing organizations consider Clear Lake to be the nation’s number one bass fishing lake, you'll find no shortage of family-friendly amenities at Clear Lake State Park. There are hiking trails, campsites, a swimming beach, showers, and picnic areas.
3. Lake Dillon, Colorado. Lake Dillon is one of the most amazing U.S. boating spots due to the fact that it's home to the world's highest deep-water marina. Don't have a boat of your own? No worries, there are plenty of boat rentals, charter boats, kayak rentals, and sailing tours offered here. The beautiful mountain views are an added bonus.
4. Flathead Lake, Montana. Flathead Lake is the largest natural lake in the western U.S. with 160-miles of shoreline. Doesn't matter if it's motor, sail or paddle, boats of all types can be found on the waters of Flathead Lake. Best part? There's plenty of room on this lake for everyone to enjoy their own personal choice of vessel.
5. Lake Gogebic, Michigan. Located at the far west end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Lake Gogebic covers 13,380 acres and is known as Michigan's largest inland lake. After launching from the Gogebic County Park Boat Launch, you can troll for walleye and northern pike or just enjoy a leisurely cruise while watching bald eagles soar overhead.
6. Lake Lanier, Georgia. Due to its close proximity to Atlanta (45 minutes north), Lake Lanier is one of the most popular boating destinations in the South. Rental boats, houseboats, fishing boats, ski boats, and kayaks all share the waters of Lake Lanier during the summer months. If you go, you may want to make a special stop at the Olympic Venue on Clarks Bridge Road. The 26-acre park hosted the rowing, sprint canoe and kayaking events of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The venue also offers family-friendly amenities such as picnic sites, beaches, and a boat ramp.
7. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest in the Great Smoky Mountains, Lake Santeetlah's scenic views alone are worth admiring by boat. The 2,800-acre lake is an amazing lake boating spot because it offers a variety of boating experiences ranging from kayaking, sailing, cruising, canoeing, and fishing. The full-service marina on the north end of the lake offers dockage for private vessels while pontoons, deck boats, and kayaks are also available for rent.
8. Table Rock Lake, Arkansas. Located in the Ozarks of northwestern Arkansas (the lake also extends into southwestern Missouri), Table Rock Lake is a 43,000-acre haven for boaters and anglers. In fact, Table Rock Lake is one of the top largemouth bass fishing spots in the state of Arkansas according to Bassmaster Magazine. Fall is a popular season for boating activity on the lake since the shorelines light up in a spectacular display of autumn foliage.
9. Lake Tahoe, Nevada. As the largest alpine lake in North America with snow-capped mountain views of the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe has rightfully earned a place on this list amazing lake boating spots. Lake Tahoe covers 191 square miles of water, so nearly every type of watercraft can be used or rented. Whether you want to spend the day canoeing, kayaking, cruising, sailing or fishing, you can do it all on Lake Tahoe.
10. Lake Havasu, Arizona. Lake Havasu is known as one of the best lakes for boating in the U.S. due to consistently warm temperatures and water levels that rarely vary more than a few feet. If you want to trailer your own boat, there are more than 10 launch ramps that provide easy access to the lake. Alternatively, you can rent kayaks, fishing boats, or deck boats from a number of rental companies that are located directly on the water.
Before you head to one of these amazing boating spots, use the Take Me Fishing™ boat comparison tool to learn about which boats are best for which types of recreational boating activities.
Whether your idea of a perfect day on the water means trolling for walleye or wildlife watching from your kayak, you can find plenty of amazing lake boating spots to match your preferences. Looking for scenic views and a lake that can be explored by either motorized or non-motorized boats? If so, grab a paddle or turn the key because these are 10 lake boating spots you will want to visit.
1. Birch Lake, Alaska. It's not hard to understand why boaters are fond of Birch Lake. Stunning mountain views and excellent fishing year-round make it one of the best lake boating spots in the Fairbanks area. In addition to the public boat launch at Birch Lake State Recreation Area, there are amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms.
2. Clear Lake, California. Clear Lake was named to the Take Me Fishing™ 2016 list of Top Fishing & Boating Spots in America based on votes cast by anglers across the country. Aside from the fact that a number of professional bass fishing organizations consider Clear Lake to be the nation’s number one bass fishing lake, you'll find no shortage of family-friendly amenities at Clear Lake State Park. There are hiking trails, campsites, a swimming beach, showers, and picnic areas.
3. Lake Dillon, Colorado. Lake Dillon is one of the most amazing U.S. boating spots due to the fact that it's home to the world's highest deep-water marina. Don't have a boat of your own? No worries, there are plenty of boat rentals, charter boats, kayak rentals, and sailing tours offered here. The beautiful mountain views are an added bonus.
4. Flathead Lake, Montana. Flathead Lake is the largest natural lake in the western U.S. with 160-miles of shoreline. Doesn't matter if it's motor, sail or paddle, boats of all types can be found on the waters of Flathead Lake. Best part? There's plenty of room on this lake for everyone to enjoy their own personal choice of vessel. 5. Lake Gogebic, Michigan. Located at the far west end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Lake Gogebic covers 13,380 acres and is known as Michigan's largest inland lake. After launching from the Gogebic County Park Boat Launch, you can troll for walleye and northern pike or just enjoy a leisurely cruise while watching bald eagles soar overhead.
6. Lake Lanier, Georgia. Due to its close proximity to Atlanta (45 minutes north), Lake Lanier is one of the most popular boating destinations in the South. Rental boats, houseboats, fishing boats, ski boats, and kayaks all share the waters of Lake Lanier during the summer months. If you go, you may want to make a special stop at the Olympic Venue on Clarks Bridge Road. The 26-acre park hosted the rowing, sprint canoe and kayaking events of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The venue also offers family-friendly amenities such as picnic sites, beaches, and a boat ramp.
7. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest in the Great Smoky Mountains, Lake Santeetlah's scenic views alone are worth admiring by boat. The 2,800-acre lake is an amazing lake boating spot because it offers a variety of boating experiences ranging from kayaking, sailing, cruising, canoeing, and fishing. The full-service marina on the north end of the lake offers dockage for private vessels while pontoons, deck boats, and kayaks are also available for rent.
8. Table Rock Lake, Arkansas. Located in the Ozarks of northwestern Arkansas (the lake also extends into southwestern Missouri), Table Rock Lake is a 43,000-acre haven for boaters and anglers. In fact, Table Rock Lake is one of the top largemouth bass fishing spots in the state of Arkansas according to Bassmaster Magazine. Fall is a popular season for boating activity on the lake since the shorelines light up in a spectacular display of autumn foliage.
9. Lake Tahoe, Nevada. As the largest alpine lake in North America with snow-capped mountain views of the Sierra Nevadas, Lake Tahoe has rightfully earned a place on this list amazing lake boating spots. Lake Tahoe covers 191 square miles of water, so nearly every type of watercraft can be used or rented. Whether you want to spend the day canoeing, kayaking, cruising, sailing or fishing, you can do it all on Lake Tahoe.
10. Lake Havasu, Arizona. Lake Havasu is known as one of the best lakes for boating in the U.S. due to consistently warm temperatures and water levels that rarely vary more than a few feet. If you want to trailer your own boat, there are more than 10 launch ramps that provide easy access to the lake. Alternatively, you can rent kayaks, fishing boats, or deck boats from a number of rental companies that are located directly on the water.
Before you head to one of these amazing boating spots, use the Take Me Fishing™ boat comparison tool to learn about which boats are best for which types of recreational boating activities.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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