Winter is not every traveler's cup of tea. In contrast, travelers who bundle up and brave the bone-chilling cold are bound to find something beautiful while traveling in the winter. While traveling in the colder months, tourists can visit unbelievably stunning winter destinations in Europe or escape to Canada's best ski resorts. Winter is not necessarily a kind season, but it can transform a landscape into a winter wonderland, especially lakes. Adventure-seeking travelers who are looking for scenic sites during their winter road trip across the US may want to stop by these lakes, which are just as beautiful frozen!
10 Crater Lake (Oregon)
Situated on top of the Cascade Mountain Range and within the Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake is over 7,000 years old and formed as a result of violent volcanic activity. Today, this beautiful lake is a year-round stunner but is a sight to behold in the winter. Plus, around November to May, visitors can partake in a collection of recreational activities around Crater Lake, from ranger-guided snowshoe walks to snowboarding!
9 Lake George (New York)
Travelers who find themselves around the popular Adirondack Mountains may be remiss not to visit Lake George. Though the lake offers a range of family-friendly activities and nature-filled recreation, its winter counterpart is just as lovely. Overlooking the snowcapped landscape, Lake George freezes into solid ice, making it a great spot for ice fishing or skating. Plus, the Lake George area during the winter time is teeming with holiday activities and seasonal fun, including skiing and snowmobiling!
8 Evergreen Lake (Colorado)
Found in Evergreen, Colorado, Evergreen Lake provides a source of outdoor recreation year-round, including fishing, boating, camping, and hiking. During the colder months, this expansive lake transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with snowcapped trees and portions of frozen water, which are a great area for ice skating and hockey. However, some parts of Evergreen Lake retain icy waters, perfect for the annual Evergreen Lake Plunge. This daring activity involves participants jumping into the bone-chilling waters of the lake!
7 Whitefish Lake (Montana)
Though stunning in the warmer months, Whitefish Lake glints beautifully in the winter. A prime destination for RV camping and fishing in the warmer months, Whitefish Lake, during the colder months, can freeze, transforming it into a vast winter landscape overlooking the snow-capped mountains and the dusted trees. The cold season also calls for fun activities, including backcountry cat skiing, dog sledding, and fat tire biking!
6 Crescent Lake (Alaska)
Nestled in the Chigmit Mountains, Alaska's Crescent Lake is known for its population of bears and salmon. Only accessible by plane (due to the lack of roads nearby), this stunning lake sits in bear country! Experienced backcountry campers will love visiting Crescent Lake just for its view alone, as it's not equipped with the amenities for winter recreational activities (e.g., the lake may not entirely be frozen over). With frost occurring as early as September, prospective visitors may want to prepare themselves for variable weather conditions, which may consist of rain, wind, or snow.
5 Red Lake (California)
California is not all beach and sun! Situated in Northern California at an elevation of about 3,865 feet, Red Lake lies in the Eastern Sierra. Regarded as a remote and unkempt destination, getting to the lake requires some hiking. However, once hikers reach the lake, they will be greeted with a backdrop of Split Mountain hovering over this mostly-frozen lake. Considered a hidden gem, Red Lake is a popular site for ice fishing, mountaineering, or backcountry skiing.
4 Portage Lake (Alaska)
Located near Anchorage, Portage Lake was named after the Portage Glacier, which sits close to the water body. Once a popular tourist attraction near Anchorage, Portage Lake sees fewer visitors in today's times albeit its stunning nature and housing an operational visitor's center. Portage Lake is NOT a year-round swim destination, but during the colder months, it is a great venue for kite skiing, mountain biking, hiking, or cross-country skiing.
3 Kenai Lake (Alaska)
Located in Cooper landing, the icy waters of Kenai Lake are gorgeous, attracting nature photographers and wildlife viewers. Housing waters from glacial runoff, parts of the lake may be frozen during the winter. Thus, the cold open waters of Kenai Lake often make a great location for open water winter fishing, which is the site for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden trout, Arctic char, or salmon.
2 Dream Lake (Colorado)
Nestled in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, Dream Lake is as magical as its name. Akin to an acrylic painting, Dream Lake is accessible via hiking (which is a popular pastime in the area, even during winter), which spans about 3.6 miles. Passing by Nymph Lake, hikers will finally be rewarded with a scenic view of Dream Lake, complete with a landscape of snow-capped trees and dramatic mountain peaks.
1 Emerald Lake (Colorado)
In the warmer months, the Emerald Lake at the Rocky Mountain National Park is a Colorado gem, lush with vegetation that surrounds the aquamarine-colored lake. However, Emerald Lake in the winter features an unforgettable landscape worth the hiking effort! Walking along the Bear Lake Trailhead, winter hikers can soak in the beauty of the Colorado wilderness, encountering sites like Dream Lake and Bear Lake. Hikers who reach Emerald Lake can enjoy the stunning view of this frost-covered water body nestled among the jagged mountains.