Don’t get me wrong. I love a beach trip where a frothy, sparkling ocean stretches all the way to the horizon, with flowing coconut drinks and tropical vibes in every direction.
But for as many times as I’ve soaked up the California coast, laid back in the Caribbean, or explored exotic locales like the Maldives, there’s something about a lakeside getaway that captures my heart.
It’s the idyllic stillness, the backdrops of pine trees over palms, the tiny town vibes that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Some of my favorite U.S. lakeside destinations give even the glitziest coastal spots a run for their money, and these are five of my all-time favorites.
In this article
Whitefish, Montana
Somehow, the Rockies look even more spectacular set against the deep blue water of Whitefish Lake in Montana.
This spot is particularly sentimental for me because it’s where I spent part of my honeymoon, but it beckoned us from pictures and rave reviews well before I ever even arrived.
You can spend days boating across crystal-clear water, paddleboarding along the shoreline, or wandering around Whitefish’s western-kitschy downtown area, with local shops and eateries.
What’s also cool about this lakeside destination is its proximity to Glacier National Park, just 30 minutes away, and if you’re into the idea of an ambitious road trip, then you could drive the five hours north to Banff in Canada, as well.
McCall, Idaho
I’ve been lucky to visit McCall, Idaho, twice in my life, once in the winter during the town’s historic Winter Carnival, and another in the middle of summer.
It’s a true hidden gem of a place, not on many people’s radars, with Payete Lake in the center. The 5,300-acre glacial lake sparkles under the sun in summer and offers ice sports and activities in winter.
It’s surrounded by sawtooth pines in the background and McCall itself has little rows of kitschy restaurants and shops. I think the town is one of the few places in the U.S. that still feels untouched by the modern world. McCall even made a choice to heavily restrict chain establishments in order to preserve its small town feel and to better support local businesses.
Saugatuck, Michigan
I spent so many of my childhood summers lapping up the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, canoeing among dragonflies, daring to "polar plunge" in the wee morning hours, and watching the sunset fade over the lake with a bonfire blazing.
Lake Michigan itself is massive (22,300 square miles) and many towns dot its perimeter across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
One of my favorites is Saugatuck, a lakeside town where towering dunes, art galleries, charming boutiques, and breezy beaches, which rival legit ocean beaches, create the quintessential Great Lakes summer escape.
If you’re passing through the Midwest or looking for a reason to go, Saugatuck is a great under-the-radar retreat.
Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona
Arizona’s known for its expansive, cacti-dotted deserts and jaw-droppingly deep canyons, but many don’t realize the state is home to pine trees and lakes, too.
As an Arizona resident, I’ve traveled extensively across the state and Pinetop-Lakeside is a place I return to time and again. This little resort town is about 180 miles northeast of Phoenix and nestled within the White Mountains of Navajo County.
The big draw is Woodland Lake Park, which is open to boating and fishing, and there are some other little lakes speckled within the area, too, including Rainbow Lake and Fool Hollow Lake.
There’s also beautiful hiking in the area, and I love poking around the cafes and restaurants in town, too.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada and California
This is easily the most famous lakeside destination on this list, but I’d be remiss to not include it.
Roughly an hour from Reno, Nevada, and about two hours from Sacramento, California, Lake Tahoe is dotted with renowned ski resorts, but the mountain town is also a picture-perfect summer getaway.
I think it’s one of the most beautiful destinations in the entire country, and arguably the world, partially because it’s cradled within the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains, and because the water of this deep alpine lake reaches an almost cartoonish level of blue and turquoise.
The surrounding town was built for visitors, as well. You’ll find countless restaurants, shops, and cafes, and it offers easy access to hiking trails, water sport rentals, and beaches.
The Shortcut
Some of these lakes are big enough to fool you into thinking you're at the ocean. Lake Michigan alone stretches 22,300 square miles, with horizon-to-horizon water and actual waves.
Small-town character survives in many lake towns. McCall, Idaho, restricts chain businesses to protect its local shops, and Saugatuck's boutiques and galleries have kept the same under-the-radar feel for decades.
Most of these towns work as a base camp, too. Whitefish sits 30 minutes from Glacier National Park, and Tahoe is under two hours from Sacramento and under an hour from Reno.
