A lakeside view can truly be special. Along these bodies of water, you'll find the kind of lake towns that have all but single-handedly rendered the word "quaint" a cliche. They're the stuff of vacation dreams, even if right now dreaming about them is the closest we can get: Idyllic little slices of fudge-fueled paradise where everybody from pontoon-bound revelers to quiet beachcombers finds common ground on the sand.
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With thousands of lakes scattered across the country, chances are good that you're no farther than a tankful of gas away from a great lake.
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Lake George, a.k.a. The Queen of American Lakes is nestled in at the base of the well-known Adirondack Mountains in the northeastern section of New York state.
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You will find Mono Lake in Mono County, California. It is a saline soda lake. Researchers say this desert lake was formed more than 760,000 years ago as "a terminal lake in an endorheic basin.
The famous Great Salt Lake is situated in the northern portion of Utah. It's the Western Hemisphere's largest saltwater lake. It's also the world's eighth-largest terminal lake. On average, this lake spans an area of roughly 1,700 square miles.
You'll find Owens Lake in the Owens Valley. It's on the eastern side of the famous Sierra Nevada almost five miles south of Lone Pine in California. Owens Lake is a mostly dry one. Owens contained a significant amount of water until some time in 1913. It was then that the majority of the Owens River was intentionally diverted into the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
The Alpine Lakes in the Pacific Northwest is part of a large wilderness area found in the well-known North Cascades mountain range, in the northern section of Washington state. Those who have been, report there are a number of notable lakes there in the wilderness. They are Snoqualmie Lake, the Enchantment Lakes, Melakwa Lake, and Mason Lake.
Redfish Lake is located near Stanley, Idaho. More specifically, this alpine lake is situated at the very base of the Sawtooth Mountains found in Custer County, a bit south of Stanley. The lake was originally named after the sockeye salmon that used to return from the Pacific Ocean in such great numbers that during spawning season the water itself appeared to turn scarlet.
Breathtaking Telluride is ensconced within the stunning San Juan Mountains in Colorado, is about as and exciting as it gets. Visit the many mountain springs. Be sure to see the Blue Lakes, Hope Lake, Island Lake, Navajo Lake, and Silver Lake. After seeing all the pretty green and blue lakes, be sure to stop in at the charming town center.
Lake Superior in Michigan is best visited during the fall. For it is then that the nearby foliage is a virtual rainbow of warm colors. Lake Superior is famous for being the largest of all the Great Lakes. In the southeast area of the lake, you will discover popular Spray Falls. Specifically, it is situated in the little town of Munising. The crystal-clear blues and turquoise water looks as if it came from the Caribbean.
Lake Powell straddles the border of Arizona and Utah. It's a reservoir on the mighty Colorado River. Veteran visitors say you simply must visit it at least once in your lifetime. It is pristine and truly looks as if it is untouched. Be sure to take some time to see the Rainbow Bridge, too. It is one of the world's largest naturally occurring bridges. And you can swim in it, which is hard to believe since it looks so pristine and untouched.
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Vail, Colorado is a quaint mountain town with a European feel. Built to resemble a European mountain resort, it is said by some travel bloggers to look like a pedestrian-friendly village square complete with restaurants and boutiques. Visit in the summer and you can go canoeing in the numerous surrounding lakes such as Booth, Gore, or Piney Lake. You can go hiking and ride the gondolas and take in the mountain views and in the winter ski the back bowls. Image courtesy of @karl_shakur 12 / 16
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Yosemite National Park in California has many lakes, reservoirs, and even rivers.
Lake Tahoe is located on the state line between California and Nevada.
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is one of the nation's best wilderness reserves.
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Glacier National Park is located in Montana on the border between the US and Canada. Here you'll find several worthy lakes including the largest, McDonald Lake, Grinnell Lake, Saint Mary Lake, and Swiftcurrent Lake. This is also reputed to be one of the best spots in the country for backpacking and backcountry hiking. The park's stunning wilderness also includes cozy lodges, glacier peaks, and verdant valleys. Stop in at the nearby resort town of Whitefish, too.