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From Crater Lake's volcanic depths to Lake Powell's canyon walls and Lake Superior's remote wilderness shoreline, the best lake vacations in the U.S.

Peter Hulce / Unsplash

With all the remarkable landmarks and landscapes the United States has to offer, including its world-famous beaches, mountains and metropolises, the country’s considerable assortment of lake destinations can sometimes fade into the background. The country holds hundreds of spectacular lakes both big and small, well worth visiting, ranging from miles-long natural swimming pools to remote wilderness oases tucked far from the nearest town.

Each destination below rewards a different type of traveler, from families seeking splash parks and mini-golf to solitude-seeking hikers hoping to disappear into genuine wilderness for a few days. Some lakes reward a quick weekend getaway, while others demand a considerably longer commitment given their remote location or sheer physical scale.