The shallow Utah Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Western U.S. The Lake and its surroundings–the Utah Lake State Park and several waterfowl and bird preserves are critical wildlife sanctuaries. It is home to 18 species of fish, including the endangered June Sucker.

Some people call Lake Hartwell the Great Lake of the South. It is serene with a rustic beauty. The lake borders South Carolina and Georgia. Although well known, it is relatively quiet and is a perfect place for a personal retreat type of vacation.

Wildlife lovers will have a swell time at Lake Texoma. The lake is a critical habitat for native fish species, especially the striped bass. Nearby are the Hagerman and Tishomingo National Wildlife refuges.

Redfish Lake is the largest lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. They named it for the bright red color of the sockeye salmon that was once abundant in it.

The stunning natural landscape of Moosehead Lake is a haven for wildlife lovers. In the forested wilderness surrounding the lake, observers can spot moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, Ruffed Grouse, and the endangered Peregrine Falcon.

Kentucky Lake is one of the largest artificial lakes in the eastern United States. It's a bustling vacation destination that attracts up to 17 million visitors yearly. Resorts, state parks, public access areas, camps, clubs, and wildlife preserves dot the shoreline.

Within the 756,00-acre Sawtooth National Forest, Stanley Lake lies at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains. The lake provides a fantastic view of the area's mountain peaks and pine tree forests.

Lake Santeetlah is between the Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala National Forest. The lake and surrounding areas provide a sanctuary for an impressive biodiverse collection of flora and fauna to thrive undisturbed. It is an ideal destination for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

Echo Lake is small but offers a sense of privacy. Old-growth trees and rocky outcrops surround it.

If you enjoy the gothic style, you'll appreciate the mysterious aura of Caddo Lake. Spanish moss hangs from giant cypress trees, and as you row through the winding lake, you find alligators peeking from barely submerged tree roots.

Called the “Jewel of South Carolina,” this idyllic lake is famed for its natural beauty. It has stunningly beautiful sunsets, lush countryside, exotic wildlife, and water the color of a London blue topaz.

This picture-perfect lake is at the foothills of the White Mountains in Laconia. Its forested shoreline, crystal clear water, stunning landscape, and bustling waterfront draw hundreds of summer tourists annually.

Yellowstone Lake is within Yellowstone National Park, one of the most geologically active areas in the world. Although several active geysers are in the area, the lake maintains an icy landscape. It is 7,730 feet above sea level and cold all year.

Called the  "Queen of American Lakes,” Lake George, New York, has a rich history. It was the site of the Battle of Lake George in 1755. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Gilded Age robber barons built mansions along the shoreline. Some of the original waterfront stone mansions still stand.

By surface area, Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake in the United States. It forms the boundary between Ontario, Canada, and the United States, extending across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan in the U.S.

Lake of the Ozarks is one of the largest artificial lakes in the United States.  It covers 93 square miles and has an impressive shoreline of more than 1,100 miles.

Lake Martin is an artificial lake on the Tallapoosa River. It's a reservoir formed by the Thomas Wesley Martin Dam. Forests, hiking trails, horse trails, golf courses, campgrounds, and RV parks dot its 700-mile shoreline.

Lake Superior is the largest of North America's Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the world. Its massive expanse earned it the nickname “freshwater sea.” It would take almost two hundred years to drain Lake Superior.

Looking at the warm blue waters, red sandstone cliffs, and incredible canyons of the stunning Lake Powell, it’d be hard to guess that this spectacular beauty is a human effort. Lake Powell is an artificial lake formed as a reservoir. Its shoreline is longer than the entire U.S. West Coast.

Flathead Lake, Montana, is the remnant of glacial Lake Missoula. It is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River and one of the cleanest in the world. The Mission Mountains border the lake on the east, and the Salish Mountains border it on the west.