14 Incredible State Parks near Tallahassee, FL (+ Map)
The Tallahassee area of Florida offers access to many of state parks, all dedicated to fun recreational activities, including boating, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
11 Incredible Recreational Lakes near Gainesville, FL
The Gainesville area is peppered with gorgeous swampy lakes teeming with wildlife. There are amazing fisheries, fun kayaking lakes, and boating playgrounds, all within an hour’s drive.
21 Amazing Recreational Lakes near Raleigh, NC (+ Map)
Raleigh must be the lake capital of the world. Dozens of fantastic recreational reservoirs pepper the landscape here. From small fishing ponds to massive world-class lakes, there is something for everyone here.
11 Fantastic Recreational Lakes near Midland, TX
Midland may not be the best lake destination in Texas but if you’re willing to drive for over an hour, the choice is pretty good. Almost all reservoirs are full-on recreational lakes with hardly any limits.
11 Fantastic Recreational Lakes near Albany, NY
Albany has a wide selection of recreational lakes. Some are small and cozy fishing spots, but others are full-on recreational reservoirs with boating, kayaking, and swimming. There is something for everyone here.
15 Gorgeous Beaches near Port St. Lucie, FL
Located just 12 miles from the Atlantic Coast and the nearest beach (Jensen Beach), Port St Lucie is an obvious choice for beach vacations.
11 Gorgeous Beaches near New Bern, NC
The rich history, moderate weather, and incredible natural beauty make New Bern the top getaway to some of the best beaches and coastal recreation areas in North Carolina.
11 Gorgeous Beaches near Ocala, FL
The beaches near Ocala are just as enchanting as those near Miami and other cities in Florida. They have a lot to offer, from snorkeling, windsurfing, isolated scenic spots, and playground zones for both kids and adults.
10 Stunning Recreational Lakes near Pigeon Forge, TN
Pigeon Forge is a nation-famous family destination, but it’s not all parks and mountains here; there are stunning lakes and recreational reservoirs that most towns would be lucky to have.
11 Fantastic Beaches near Annapolis, MD
Sitting on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis has plenty of beaches with tons of activities. The nearest options are within minutes of the city, but you can also opt for the Atlantic Coast, just a few hours away.
10 Incredible Recreational Lakes near Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg is an incredible getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains with millions of visitors every year. But not many know that it also has plenty of stunning recreational lakes for every taste.
9 Fantastic Recreational Lakes near Richmond, VA
Richmond area has plenty of fantastic lakes, big and small. Most offer excellent fishing and paddling opportunities, while others are full-on recreational reservoirs with every activity imaginable.
8 Amazing Beaches near New Port Richey, FL
Located just above Tampa, New Port Richey is an excellent alternative for beach holidays. Whether you’re into kayaking, boating, fishing, or just chilling on the beach, there are plenty of options.
9 Gorgeous Recreational Lakes near Sisters, OR
Sisters is an excellent spot for water recreation. It has gorgeous mountain lakes with hiking, swimming, and kayaking, as well as central Oregon lakes offering unparalleled boating and fishing.
9 Gorgeous Recreational Lakes near Clemson, SC
Clemson is a city on the lake with plenty of water activities. Yet, there are even more incredible options in the vicinity. Spring-fed lakes, boating reservoirs, and cozy family ponds are all waiting to be discovered.
11 Fantastic Recreational Lakes near Chattanooga, TN
Although Chattanooga is a city on the lake, it has plenty of other options around, most of which are about an hour away. Some offer every water activity imaginable, and others are gems that only hikers can reach.
12 Stunning Recreational Lakes near Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe has an excellent selection of lakes. Most are part of state parks and offer every activity imaginable. Yet, there are a few gems that allow for scuba diving or require hiking to get to.
11 Top Recreational Lakes near Albuquerque, NM
Surprisingly, Albuquerque has a good number of recreational lakes. Some are just fishing or swimming holes, but most offer water recreation, including boating, paddling, and sailing.
9 Amazing Recreational Lakes near Yakima, WA
Yakima is a pretty good getaway to lakes. It offers urban fishing ponds, Columbia River reservoirs, and spectacular mountain lakes near White Pass. Swimming, fishing, kayaking, and boating are all possible here.
9 Superb Recreational Lakes near Vancouver, WA
Vancouver has an excellent selection of lakes. There are urban swimming holes, superb fishing lakes with tiger muskies, and remote reservoirs with unrestricted boating and camping.
9 Fantastic Recreational Lakes near Leavenworth, WA
Leavenworth has an excellent mix of lakes. There are quiet fishing lakes, large reservoirs with fantastic boating, and of course, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness with its hidden gems.
15 Amazing Recreational Lakes near Spokane, WA
Spokane has dozens of lakes, from small fishing holes to the largest reservoir in the state. Most offer fishing, swimming, and paddling, and some are fantastic boating and camping spots, too.
15 Fun Recreational Lakes near Seattle, WA
Seattle’s lakes are diverse and plentiful. It’s home to the nation-famous Lake Washington, as well as urban fishing ponds and mountain reservoirs with every outdoor activity imaginable.
13 Stunning Recreational Lakes near Olympia, WA
Olympia offers access to cozy lakes with fantastic trout fishing and paddling opportunities. And a few of the options have water skiing, wakeboarding, and camping, too.
9 Fun Recreational Lakes near Las Vegas, NV
Despite its desert location, Las Vegas has quite a few lakes. Some are full-on recreational reservoirs with boating, kayaking, and camping. And others are urban fishing ponds within city parks.
11 Top-Rated Recreational Lakes near Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix has more recreational lakes than most people imagine. Despite the desert location, there are plenty of incredible recreational reservoirs that most cities can only dream of.
15 Stunning Recreational Lakes near Greer, AZ
Greer has access to the best lakes in Arizona’s White Mountains. Although they’re not as versatile as many would wish, there are plenty of them, and they are absolutely stunning.
11 Amazing Recreational Lakes near Show Low, AZ
Sitting on Mogollon Rim, Show Low offers stunning mountain lakes and reservoirs. Most of the options are excellent for fishing and kayaking, but you’ll have to travel further for wakeboarding and skiing.
7 Awesome Recreational Lakes near Yuma, AZ
Despite its dry climate, Yuma has quite a few excellent lakes to offer. Most of the options are on the Colorado River. They provide decent fishing and camping, and some are fantastic boating destinations.
15 Superb Recreational Lakes near San Antonio, TX (2023)
San Antonio has a wide selection of amazing recreational lakes. From small urban ponds to nationally-recognized reservoirs and unique swimming holes, the city has it all. But which one to choose?