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14 Best Lake House Rentals in the U.S.

Dreaming of a tranquil lake vacation? There may be no better accommodation option than a lake house rental. You’ll be steps from the water for all sorts of recreation while enjoying a breathtaking lake view and often all the perks of a home and then some. Your perfect rental, from America’s west to the sultry south and the beautiful northeast, is sure to be found on this list.

Lake Sutherland Lakefront Home - Port Angeles, Washington Lake Sutherland Lakefront Vacation Home, Washington
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Lake Sutherland Lakefront Home - Port Angeles, Washington

Located just outside Olympic National Park, this beautiful lakefront home is surrounded by spectacular views while providing an especially serene escape. It sleeps up to eight in three bedrooms and has a private beachfront, new dock and water toys like noodles, a standup paddleboard, a rowboat and four kayaks. Lifejackets are included too.  Some of the highlights of the home include an outdoor fire pit, satellite TV with an extensive 100+ DVD movie collection, a wood stove and a fully-equipped open kitchen.

Waterfront Island Cabin - Bigfork, Montana Waterfront Island Cabin, Bigfork, Montana
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Waterfront Island Cabin - Bigfork, Montana

Located on the west side of Deer Island in Echo Lake near the town of Bigfork, just a 45-minute drive from Glacier National Park, this waterfront cabin accommodates six, providing lots of privacy, peace and quiet. It can only be accessed by boat – you can reach it in your own vessel or take advantage of the available pontoon boat. It includes two bedrooms plus a sleeping loft, a well-appointed kitchen and a cozy fireplace. Outside you’ll have a wrap-around deck for relaxing with mountain and lake views as well as a fire pit for campfires under the stars.

Luxury Lakefront Cottage with Boat Dock - Hiawassee, Georgia Luxury Lakefront Cottage with Boat Dock
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Luxury Lakefront Cottage with Boat Dock - Hiawassee, Georgia

This 3-bedroom lakefront vacation rental in Hiawassee, Georgia is perfect for groups. In addition to its spacious interior, there is a large outdoor entertainment space and lots of fun activities available on Chatuge Lake. Spend your afternoon boating or fishing, or simply enjoy the view of the private lake frontage from the boat dock, hammock, fire pit, and outdoor decks equipped with lounge chairs. Fire up the grill for a family barbecue or unwind in the bubbling hot tub, then enjoy a meal around the 6-personal dining table or cozy up next to the fireplace. When you want to get out and explore, the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and nearby towns offer easy access to outdoor adventures, local restaurants, shops, and family attractions.

Lake Havasu Luxury Vacation Home - Lake Havasu City, Arizona Best View in Havasu Luxury Vacation Home
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Lake Havasu Luxury Vacation Home - Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lake Havasu is one of the top spots for water fun in the southwest, with opportunities for all sorts of recreation, including sunset cruises, swimming, water skiing and much more. This three-bedroom executive home is perfectly situated for taking advantage of the lake and boasts a stunning panoramic view too.  Sleeping up to eight in three bedrooms, it has a resort-like backyard with a saltwater pebble tech pool, a spa, fire pit and putting green as well as a large covered patio with a BBQ. Inside of the home is a gorgeous stone fireplace, a flat-screen TV with a stereo system that includes surround sound, a Blu-ray player, and an iPod dock. With in-ceiling speakers for the backyard patio, you can enjoy your favorite music while you’re swimming too. There’s also a very well-equipped kitchen, complete with a wine fridge, a washer/dryer and much more.

Great Tahoe Home with Deck & Panoramic Lake Tahoe View - Ridgewood, California Great Tahoe Home with Panoramic Lake View
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Great Tahoe Home with Deck & Panoramic Lake Tahoe View - Ridgewood, California

This three-bedroom home sits on an acre and accommodates six to eight guests, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Tahoe which can be enjoyed from many vantage points, including while soaking in the hot tub. The house has a large woodstove, free firewood included, ideal for chilly winters. Snowplow service is provided to keep the driveway clear, and in the summer months, outdoor furniture is provided on the 60-foot deck for alfresco dining.

Charming home with Direct Lake Access - Moosehead Lake, Maine Moosehead Lake Home with direct lake access, Maine
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Charming home with Direct Lake Access - Moosehead Lake, Maine

Located in the southernmost cove of Moosehead Lake, up to nine guests can enjoy private access to the water while being close to a public beach from this charming house. There’s a private dock and open area by the shoreline for relaxing and sitting around a fire. On the side of the home is a large deck with lake views and a BBQ grill provided. You’ll be within walking distance to shopping, dining and other services in the town of Greenville too.

Stillwater Mountain House - Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina Quiet Lakeside Mountain Retreat on Santeetlah Lake, North Carolina
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Stillwater Mountain House - Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina

The Stillwater Mountain House sleeps up to 12 guests comfortably, located on Lake Santeetlah which features 76 miles of mostly protected shoreline as part of the national forest in the shadows of majestic mountains.  Enjoy swimming or boating from the private dock, and paddling around in the four kayaks which are included. The house provides lake views from almost every room and all doors of the breakfast room open to decks overlooking the lake. Shopping, dining, hiking and mountain biking can all be enjoyed nearby.

Pine Island Paradise - Caddo Lake, Texas Pine Island Paradise
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Pine Island Paradise - Caddo Lake, Texas

Pine Island Paradise offers an ideal base for enjoying magnificent Caddo with its centuries-old cypress trees draped in Spanish moss and pristine water that’s outstanding for fishing, while teeming with wildlife, from eagles and great blue herons to alligators and mink. The three-bedroom house sits on an acre of land, facing the woods with the lake at the back. It has a fully-equipped kitchen, toys, children’s books and board games, along with exercise equipment on the enclosed front porch for working out with a view.

Lake of the Ozarks Lakefront Home - Sunrise Beach, Missouri  Lakefront Home at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
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Lake of the Ozarks Lakefront Home - Sunrise Beach, Missouri

Nestled among the rolling hills of Central Missouri, the Lake of the Ozarks is one of the top fishing and golfing destinations in America’s Heartland. It also offers world-class boating, lots of dining options, state parks and an array of other recreational activities with an incredible 1,150 miles of scenic shoreline. Enjoy it at Deweys Dream, four-bedroom lakefront home with magnificent views. It has a large two-level deck with lots of space for outdoor grilling, a private dock with an open slip and swim platform in deep water cove. Inside is a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, a fireplace and many upscale perks.

Family-Friendly Lakefront Retreat - Soldotna, Alaska Family Friendly Lake Front Retreat, Soldotna, Alaska
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Family-Friendly Lakefront Retreat - Soldotna, Alaska

Enjoy the wilds of Alaska from this two-bedroom lakefront retreat that accommodates up to five. Ideal for a family, it has an open-floor concept with a loft area upstairs, although bedrooms aren’t closed. The kitchen has everything you need, including all stainless steel appliances, and there’s a large deep freezer in the garage for freezing the fish you catch. The house sits directly on March Lake with access to Douglas Lake, both of which are stocked with rainbow trout -fishing poles are included.

Lakefront Views - Lake Champlain, Vermont Lakefront Views - Lake Champlain, Vermont
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Lakefront Views - Lake Champlain, Vermont

Lake Champlain isn’t just famous for the ancient sea monster known as Champ, its own version of Scotland’s Nessie, it’s a bucket list body of water for fishing. Kayaking, canoeing and sailing, hiking and wildlife watching can be enjoyed too. This charming two-bedroom cottage offers a great way to enjoy it all, complete with a beach, kayaks, mountain sunsets, a gas fireplace, and lots of books and art. Sip your morning coffee or wine on the deck while enjoying the views, and look forward to incredible stargazing in one of the darkest areas in the Northern Hemisphere. The fully-stocked kitchen has all you need, including olive oil and spices, and you’ll find plenty of firewood for a roaring fire on the beach.

Lakefront Cabin with Dock - Grand Lake, Colorado Lakefront Cabin with a Dock in Grand Lake
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Lakefront Cabin with Dock - Grand Lake, Colorado

Located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park right on Grand Lake, this cabin sleeps six in three bedrooms, offering an unforgettable vacation in any season. Enjoy campfires by the water, fishing, swimming and boating during the warmer months, with winter bringing opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing. It includes a full kitchen with all the essentials, a TV, a washer/dryer, and Wi-Fi.

Grandma's Cabin in the Woods on the Lake - Flathead Lake, Montana Grandma's Cabin in the Woods on Flathead Lake, Montana
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Grandma's Cabin in the Woods on the Lake - Flathead Lake, Montana

This comfortable three-bedroom home, plus a loft, accommodates up to 12 guests on beautiful Flathead Lake. You’ll be surrounded by lake and mountain views, and in the winter, close to both Blacktail and Whitefish Mountain Ski Resorts. It includes a private beach, boat dock and fire pit, as well as a large deck with water, beach and sunset views.  The fully-equipped kitchen opens to a dining room, with plenty of space for the whole family and then some. The 60-foot dock has shore stations for a boat and jet ski if you want to bring your water toys or rent them locally.

La Cabana Carmelita - Kings Beach, California La Cabana Carmelita
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La Cabana Carmelita - Kings Beach, California

Located in Lake Tahoe’s Kings Beach area, this cozy cabin offers lake views, accommodating up to three and your four-legged friend too as it’s dog-friendly. You’ll be able to walk to town, the best beaches, trailheads and the casinos, then come back to enjoy a relaxing space with a kitchenette and a large deck that has a gas grill and patio furniture for dining alfresco.