Growing up on the East Coast, I always considered myself lucky that the ocean was just a few hours away. Like many families in the Mid-Atlantic area, our yearly ritual was taking a beach vacation to nearby Delaware, so it was easy for me to assume that the best water vacation had to be near the ocean. Then I remembered all the fun we had on a lake in Indiana and found myself reading about the scenic lakes scattered throughout the USA. When this blog post was originally published, I had been inspired by an article that highlighted some of the beautiful beaches on a Great Lakes road trip. While I still am working on making that road trip a reality, we have had the chance to explore a few other lakes. Here’s five places to consider for a summer lake vacation, including a few accessible by car from the DC area, and one that is still on my USA travel bucket list!
*This post was originally published in April, 2015; updated June, 2025
*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase something familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own.
Table of Contents Virginia
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is a popular local spot for a family lake vacation. Options for rentals include houses with lake access and docks scattered over the 500 miles of shoreline. Rent a boat for water skiing and tubing, or just enjoy relaxing by the lake. Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers hiking trails along with camping and guarded beaches for swimming during the summer months. If you prefer to sleep on the water, check out a houseboat rental for 3 or 7-day excursions from Parrot Cove Boat Rentals. Then explore over 20,000 acres of the lake and find your quiet cove to anchor. We spent 3 days on a houseboat on Smith Mountain Lake and loved having the scenic lake as our front porch. As a bonus, Smith Mountain Lake is close to parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a perfect spot for a scenic drive!
Another spot in Virginia for an easy lake getaway from the DC area is Lake Gaston, which straddles the Virginia/North Carolina border. We have fond memories of a gorgeous fall weekend with friends at a house right on the lake. Fishing, boating, swimming, and relaxing can easily be found on this 20,000 acre lake, with over 350 miles of shoreline.
Maryland
Head to the mountains of Western Maryland for another popular long weekend and vacation spot frequented by those in the DC area--Deep Creek Lake. Although known for year-round fun, the lake comes alive in the summer with water activities, including boating, swimming, and kayaking. Growing up, my husband spent many family summer vacations at the lake, fishing, waterskiing, horseback riding, and exploring the woods. Today, in addition to all those popular summer activities, adventurous visitors can spend time at the man-made, white-water course at Adventure Sports Center International, which offers rock climbing, rafting, and adventure kayaking opportunities. Nearby Deep Creek Lake State Park offers hiking and mountain biking trails. Be sure to stop in the Discovery Center and get up close to several birds of prey serving as ambassadors of the Scales and Tales program. At night, head out for pizza at Brenda’s Pizzeria for New York-style pizza or seafood at the popular Dutch’s at Silver Tree. I always recommend asking the locals for their food favorites!
New York
As part of our road trip to Niagara Falls and on recent trips through parts of western New York, I realized that I had rarely explored much of the state outside of New York City. High on our list for later this year is a van adventure to explore some of the lakes, rivers, and hiking trails of the Adirondack region. At the southern end of the region sits the town of Lake George, a popular area for a good old-fashioned family lake vacation. The 32-mile-long lake boasts the best in lake life, with rentals available for everything from power boats and jet skis to kayaks and paddle boards. Accommodations include private house rentals, cabins, camping, hotels, and pet-friendly options for families of all sizes. Off the water, a quick review of Lake George attractions shows plenty of options, including hiking, biking, rafting, and zip lining. Lake George is often called the Mini-Golf Capital of New York State. Don't miss the Around the World Golf Course, a classic that has been around for over 50 years!
Arizona
Many consider Lake Powell, in Page, Arizona one of the top places for the ultimate vacation on the water. It's a premier destination for houseboating, with almost 2,000 miles of shoreline lined with coves and canyons to explore. During our 13-day Southwest road trip, we took a day-long boat tour of this magnificent natural wonder and saw many houseboats as we traveled to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. The gorgeous scenery makes this an amazing place to explore by boat, and I hope to make it back one day for a houseboat adventure. Read more about Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and get updates regarding water levels here. If you are considering this popular type of vacation, sign up for their emails in advance to learn of special deals and pricing. You can even find sample itineraries to make your trip planning easier. Combine your lake time with nearby places, like Antelope Canyon and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
California & Nevada
Whenever I see photos from Lake Tahoe, I remind myself it's time to finally plan a trip! Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, with beach and mountain towns scattered from North Lake Tahoe around to Tahoe South, offering endless options for outdoor vacation lovers. Boasting over three dozen public beaches on the stunning blue lake (and at least a few that are dog-friendly), it seems to offer something for everyone. I was excited to stumble upon the Treasures of Tahoe list from the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureau, which includes the best panoramic view and day hikes. In addition to its popularity with mountain bikers, Tahoe South, designated as a Bike Friendly Community, offers even the novice bike rider places to discover. Explore the 72-mile scenic lake by car to see beaches, nature trails, historic houses, and spectacular views at stops around the lake. The hardest part will be figuring out where to stay, with vacation rental options ranging from resorts on the lake to private rental homes. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the closest airport to North Lake Tahoe.
If a lake vacation sounds appealing, but you just don’t know where to start, consider using a resource such as Lakehouse Vacations, which allows you to search for a vacation rental at over 3000 lakes around the country. It’s helpful because you can get a sense of the lake communities in each state before you book a rental. As a family of 5, we often use rental site VRBO to find the perfect vacation home. I love using the search filters to find just the amenities that I’m looking for, such as a boat dock, swimming pool, or outdoor fire pit. You are sure to find the ideal house for making wonderful vacation memories.
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