There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of lapping waves and the smell of fresh lake air. Across the U.S., countless lakes offer amazing camping experiences, each with its special charm.
Let’s dive into 25 of the best lake camping spots that will make anyone want to pack up their tent and hit the road.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Lake Tahoe is like a postcard come to life, with its crystal-clear waters and mountain backdrop. Campers can choose between the secluded beaches of D.L. Bliss State Park on the west shore or the more developed Zephyr Cove Resort on the east, both offering their slice of Tahoe magic.
Crater Lake, Oregon
Camping near Crater Lake feels like being on another planet, with its impossibly blue waters surrounded by cliffs. Mazama Campground, tucked away in the forest, makes a perfect base camp for exploring this natural wonder.
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Lake Superior, Michigan
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior is a feast for the eyes, with colorful sandstone cliffs and pristine beaches. Twelvemile Beach Campground lets campers fall asleep to the sound of waves, right on the shore of the world’s largest freshwater lake.
Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
Yellowstone Lake is like nature’s greatest hits album, surrounded by geysers, hot springs, and abundant wildlife. Bridge Bay Campground puts campers right in the middle of the action, with easy access to boating and fishing on this high-altitude lake.
Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona
Lake Powell looks like someone dropped an ocean in the middle of the desert, with its blue waters contrasting against red rock canyons. Wahweap RV & Campground offers stunning views and easy access to water activities, making it a perfect base camp for exploring this unique landscape.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia’s lakes are like hidden gems tucked away in a landscape of rugged coastline and pine forests. Seawall Campground, while not directly on a lake, provides easy access to several freshwater bodies and ocean views, offering the best of both worlds.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
The Lake of the Ozarks is like a water playground dropped in the middle of Missouri’s forests. The state park’s campgrounds offer a perfect mix of lake fun and woodland adventure, with plenty of amenities to keep campers comfortable.
Flathead Lake, Montana
Flathead Lake is so big it almost feels like an inland sea, reflecting the grandeur of the nearby Rocky Mountains. Big Arm State Park on the western shore offers campsites with million-dollar views and plenty of opportunities for on-the-water fun.
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Lake Champlain, Vermont
Camping near Lake Champlain is like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting of idyllic New England life. Button Bay State Park provides a perfect base for exploring the lake’s waters and the region’s rich history.
Priest Lake, Idaho
Priest Lake is a hidden gem in the northern Idaho panhandle, surrounded by lush forests and mountain peaks. Lionhead Campground puts campers right on the lakeshore, where they can fish, hike, or simply soak in the serene beauty of this lesser-known spot.
Horsetooth Reservoir, Colorado
Horsetooth Reservoir looks like someone dropped a lake right at the foot of the Rockies. Inlet Bay Campground offers waterfront sites where campers can wake up to stunning mountain views and spend their days hiking, biking, or playing on the water.
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Saranac Lake, New York
The Saranac Lake Islands feel like a secret hideaway in the heart of the Adirondacks. These boat-access-only sites offer a true wilderness experience, letting campers play Crusoe while still being close enough to civilization for comfort.
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
Lake Ouachita is like a diamond hidden in the forests of central Arkansas. Crystal Springs Campground lives up to its name, offering sites near the lake’s clear waters where campers can swim, fish, and hike to their heart’s content.
Lake McConaughy, Nebraska
Lake McConaughy, or ‘Big Mac’ as the locals call it, is like a Great Lake plopped down in the middle of the Great Plains. Little Thunder Campground offers lakeside sites with views that’ll make campers forget they’re in Nebraska, not on the coast.
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Shasta Lake, California
Shasta Lake is a watery playground surrounded by forests and overshadowed by the majestic Mount Shasta. Bailey Cove Campground puts campers close to the action, with shaded sites near the lake perfect for cooling off on hot California days.
Lake Chelan, Washington
Lake Chelan looks like a fjord somehow transported to the North Cascades of Washington. Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park offers lakeside camping with mountain views that’ll make anyone’s jaw drop.
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Voyageurs National Park is like a watery maze, with interconnected lakes and waterways begging to be explored. While many sites are only accessible by boat, Woodenfrog Campground on Kabetogama Lake offers drive-in sites for those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground.
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Table Rock Lake, Missouri
Table Rock Lake is a watery wonderland nestled in the heart of the Ozarks. Table Rock State Park provides a perfect home base for lake adventures, with campgrounds offering easy access to water activities and nearby attractions.
Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Lake Winnipesaukee embodies the spirit of New England summers, with its clear waters and pine-lined shores. Ellacoya State Park offers lakeside camping that feels like a step back in time to the golden age of lake vacations.
Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho
Bear Lake, straddling the Utah-Idaho border, looks like someone poured the Caribbean into a mountain lake. Bear Lake State Park in Utah offers camping with access to turquoise waters and sandy beaches that’ll make campers forget they’re in the Rockies, not on a tropical island.
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Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Lake Santeetlah is a hidden paradise tucked away in the mountains of western North Carolina. Cheoah Point Campground offers lakeside sites surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, providing a perfect blend of water activities and mountain adventures.
Lake Moultrie, South Carolina
Lake Moultrie is a fisherman’s dream come true, with warm waters full of bass, catfish, and more. Lake Moultrie Campground puts anglers right where they want to be, with easy access to the water and plenty of spots to swap fish stories around the campfire.
Caddo Lake, Texas/Louisiana
Caddo Lake looks like it was pulled straight from a Southern Gothic novel, with its maze of bayous and bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Caddo Lake State Park in Texas offers camping in this uniquely beautiful setting, perfect for paddling and wildlife watching.
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Grand Lake, Colorado
Grand Lake sits like a sapphire at the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Stillwater Campground offers sites near the lake with views that’ll make campers feel like they’re on a postcard, surrounded by towering peaks and pristine waters.
Jordan Lake, North Carolina
Jordan Lake is like an oasis of blue in the heart of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Poplar Point Campground offers lakeside sites where campers can enjoy water activities and hiking, all within a stone’s throw of the urban amenities of the Raleigh-Durham area.
Enjoy Ultimate Lakeside Camping
From the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe to the cypress-lined bayous of Caddo Lake, these 25 spots showcase the incredible diversity of lake camping experiences across the U.S.
Each destination has its special appeal of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and that special magic that comes from sleeping under the stars near the water’s edge.
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