While Minnesota may be the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ there are plenty of lakes throughout the eastern U.S. for those searching for a memorable lake getaway closer to the east coast. Nothing beats the summer heat quite like refreshing dips and other activities in a body of freshwater surrounded by picturesque scenery. Of course, early or mid-fall can be a great time to enjoy the brilliant colors of autumn and a tranquil oasis for recharging too. Whatever your goal, you’re sure to find the right pick among these east coast lake vacations.
Baxter State Park, Maine
If you’re looking for spectacular wilderness that includes lots of sparkling lakes and wildlife, Baxter State Park is one of the best state parks in Maine and provides one of the most unforgettable getaways in the eastern U.S. Covering over 200,000 acres, it includes the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and Mount Katahdin, the state’s highest peak rising nearly 5,270 feet, while edged by the Penobscot River. It offers more than 200 miles of trails and endless scenic vistas, popular among hikers, paddlers, and wildlife watchers, with lots of moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, and lynxes. While many choose to camp in one of the multiple park campgrounds, there are lots of lodging options just outside the park too.
Squam Lake, New Hampshire
Squam Lake, located in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire, is best known as the setting for the 1981 film “On Golden Pond.” Little has changed here since then, and like the movie depicted, it’s the ideal spot for quiet contemplation and watching wildlife. Only a two-hour drive from Boston, it’s framed by the scenic White Mountain foothills and serves as a nesting site for common loons. Enjoy fishing for lake and rainbow trout, bass, and more, along with picnics by the shore and perhaps a visit to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, where you’ll see local wildlife like bobcats, mountain lions, and a bald eagle.
Lake Placid, New York
One of the most charming towns in Upstate New York, Lake Placid is known for hosting the Winter Olympics, but it offers plenty when it comes to lake vacations too. During the warmer months, cool off in the water or enjoy recreational activities like kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, jet-skiing, wakeboarding, and more. There are also opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Or simply relax on the sand and enjoy the view from Lake Placid Public Beach. In the fall, you’ll see the oak, maple, birch, and beech trees burst into fiery red, vivid orange, and yellow hues popping out among the deeply forested mountains that surround the lake.
Burlington, Vermont
Located along the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington offers lots of things to do when it comes to a lake vacation, particularly for those who not only want to get out on the water from picturesque Waterfront Park and take in spectacular sunsets over the Adirondacks. You can take advantage of the summer festivals, with something nearly every weekend, as well as the Saturday farmers’ market, great breweries, hiking, and the arts. Or rent bikes and pedal the 26-mile Island Line Trail that stretches all the way to the Canadian border.
Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Lake Santeetlah boasts 76 miles of mostly protected shoreline as part of a national forest, with the Great Smoky Mountains creating a breathtaking backdrop. One of the prettiest lakes in North Carolina, the tranquility of paddling out in a kayak or canoe or renting a pontoon boat will float your stress away. On land, you can hike or mountain bike. During the season, a scenic drive to take in the brilliant colors of fall is a must. And, whatever you do during the day, afterward, the lakeside bar and dock at Blue Waters Mountain Lodge is the perfect place for a nightcap.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida
The Big O, as locals often refer to it, Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in all of Florida, covering an area of over 700 square miles. It’s spread across five counties, but from any destination along the shores, you can expect plenty of beautiful scenery and outstanding fishing, especially for largemouth bass and crappie. It sits along the Florida National Scenic Trail, bringing opportunities for activities on land like hiking and biking too. There are lots of places to base yourself — for example, at the north end is the small town of Okeechobee, where you can catch a pontoon or airboat ride out of the marina. The south end is close to the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, where you can learn more about the native culture at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum or take an airboat ride to an Indian camp.
Finger Lakes, New York
There’s so much to do in the Finger Lakes area, with multiple lakes to choose from for your vacation, from Fontana Lake to Lake Seneca. As this is also a very popular wine region, wine enthusiasts might want to intersperse days spent on the water with some wine tasting. The Finger Lakes region hosts over a hundred vintners as the prime wine region of the Eastern U.S., with the largest concentration of tasting rooms along the east side of Lake Seneca. There are a number of waterfront wineries too, like Thirsty Owl in Ovid and Belhurst Estate in Geneva.
Walden Pond, Massachusetts
Walden Pond might be a bit of a misnomer, covering 61.5 acres and over 100 feet at its deepest, which really makes it more of a lake. It hasn’t changed much since the mid-19th century when pioneer environmentalist Henry David Thoreau lived here alone in a cabin overlooking the water. It provides an oasis of calm for refreshing, recharging, and collecting your thoughts, but one can also fish, swim, or canoe, while scenic trails will bring you to peaceful spots around the shore. If you’re looking for that kind of escape less than 25 miles from Boston, this is surely it.
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
A large reservoir in the Roanoke Region, Smith Mountain Lake is the second-largest freshwater lake in Virginia. One of the perfect places to enjoy it is Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Here you can enjoy a sandy beach, swimming, picnicking, hiking trails, boat rentals, a boat launch, and camping or accommodation in cabin rentals. At Bridgewater Marina & Plaza, you can get your daily boat, jet ski, paddleboard, and wake-surfing rentals. There is a wide range of vacation rentals throughout the area as well as hotels just slightly further away in towns like Rocky Mount and the larger city of Roanoke.
Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania
If a lake getaway in the Poconos sounds like your kind of vacation, Lake Wallenpaupack is ideal. A romantic destination in Pennsylvania, it offers 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline, covering 5,700 acres, providing a wide range of outdoor adventures with something for everyone. There are six public recreation areas with hundreds of acres of forest land and abundant wildlife, scenic walking trails, boat slips, and campsites. There are plenty of outfitters for picking up kayaks, water ski gear, boats, and wakeboards for fun out on the water too. If you want a mix of time on the lake and time checking out small towns, you might also base yourself in charming Hawley just north or other local hubs such as Greentown, Lakeville, Tafton, or Paupack, which offer multiple dining and shopping venues.
