Before the 20th century, lakes only drew the attention of fishermen and sea-life enthusiasts. These days, however, most lakes are now owned by State Parks, have a tiny but bubbling city of their own, and draw millions of tourists and visitors to their sandy shores every year.
One of the many reasons why people climb up bridges is to enjoy the scenic view of the dancing blue waters below and listen to the soothing roar of the waves if the blaring traffic does not interrupt.
It is no wonder that lakesides have often been famous retreat zones, away from the bustling towns, congested human population, and stress-provoking traffic jams.
Most road trips made in the US must be made by at least one coastal line. What about one spent driving by coastal lines only? If road trips are made to resorts, museums, campsites, and even mountains, why not a lakeside road trip?
Below is a list of ten perfect and beautiful lakeside road trips a visitor should take into consideration when planning that next trip/vacation.
10 Crater Lakeside Road Trip
The Crater Lake, Oregon’s deep blue waters, is majestically in Southern-central Oregon, Western USA.
The Lake is 1,943 feet in depth, making it the deepest in the USA. Getting to the bottom of the Lake is only possible with a submersible. The excitement, therefore, isn’t what lies at the bottom but at the surface.
The ancient tree stump known as The Old Man of Crater is the first of many surface attractions. The tree stump is neither tied nor anchored to something yet floats upright. Another major attraction is a volcano island. The island is shaped like a battleship but is made up of 400,000 years old, erosion-resistant lava. Tourists love to hike up its summit. Lake Crater is not for summer only, as during the winter, from November to April, snow can measure up to 43 feet!
9 Lake Tahoe Road Trip, California & Nevada
The freshwaters of Lake Tahoe sit between California and Nevada, Carson City, and North America. With a depth of 1,645 feet, it is the second-largest lake in the U.S.
Mountains surround Lake Tahoe on all sides. The area around Lake Tahoe is most alive during the winter, as there are fifteen ski resorts surrounding the area. Visitors may hike up snowy trails, snowboard, ride the snowmobile or engage in other winter sports. The area also features lakeside casinos, restaurants, and golf courses.
8 Finger Lakes, Lakeside Road Trip
Finger Lakes are made up of eleven lakes that were formerly submerged by glaciers. These lakes take up a huge portion of the state of New York, stretching as far south as the Pennsylvania border. Waterfalls, natural pools, gouges, star parks, breweries, cider houses, etc., are some of the attractions in the area.
There is good news for wine lovers. According to Travel and Treasure, Finger Lake Region is home to hundreds of wineries and tasting rooms. Restaurants surround the area, as well as hundreds of resorts, and Ithaca, a small town at Finger Lake, is home to the renowned Cornell University. The Finger Lake region is too big to be covered in one day; tourists on a day’s journey should focus on the areas around the Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.
7 Walden Pond, Lakeside Road Trip, Massachusetts
Situated amid Boston is the Walden pond, a small lake where David Thoreau, an environmental activist, once lived alone in a small cabin. Open trails that lead to tranquil spots will transport a tourist back to the peaceful times of the 1800s. Although David Thoreau’s original cabin no longer exists, a replica still sits at the reserve to the awe of visitors. This reserve is ideal for relaxation and might not satisfy thrill seekers.
6 Table Rock, Lakeside Road Trip, Missouri
The table rock lake sits at the center of Table Rock State Park, Ozarks, South Missouri. A nearby trout farm, Hills Fish Hatchery, offers tours to interested visitors/ tourists. The Table Rock Park boasts a Marina that rents water sports supplies from ski boats to paddle boards, watercraft, and Kayak. Land activities include hiking, bicycle riding on the paved trail, or, if one is seeking an adventure, The Mountain Biking Trail.
Picnic sites scattered across Lakeshore are perfect for hosting family-get-togethers and vacations. After a day packed with activities, visitors can grab a burger from the low-key restaurants in the area.
5 Lake Chelan, Road Trip, Washington
Dozens of trails around Lake Chelan make it one of the best places for hiking. The twenty-five-mile Creek State Park, of which Lake Chelan sits at the center, has a Marina. Tourists can head out here to explore Lake Chelan’s deep blue sea.
Other activities include birdwatching, waterskiing, fishing, watercraft launches, scuba diving, and shellfish harvesting.
4 Lake Washington Road Trip, Washington
Lake Washington is a freshwater lake located beside the City of Seattle. The Cedar River feeds the Lake at the south and the Shammish river at the north. According to Wikipedia, Lake Washington is twenty-two miles, making it the largest Lake in King County. While on a boat cruise, visitors can catch a glimpse of Mouth Rainer or stop by Seward Park, less than a mile away.
3 Lake Havasu Road Trip, Arizona
The waters of Lake Havasu, Western Arizona, have witnessed more parties than any other beach in the area. Every year, during spring, college students arrive in their numbers for deep-into-the-night boat parties.
From March to September, boaters troop in to enjoy professional fishing tournaments, international jet ski final races, boat regattas, Havasu 95 Speedway, etc.
2 Lake Michigan Road Trip, Wisconsin
Lake Michigan covers over 1,600 miles of shoreline and more beaches than any other lake in the State.
Attractions around the lakeside include North Indiana’s Wild Rolling Dunes, Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, and Traverse City. For hiking activities, The National Lakeshore features water-front hiking trails.
1 The Great Lakes Road Trip
Brittanica highlights that The Great Lakes of North America consist of five freshwater lakes. These lakes include Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. They connect to the Atlantic Ocean through the St Lawrence river.
According to Wikipedia, the lakes contain approximately 35,000 islands. The largest among them is Lake Hurons Manitoulin Island. The bigger islands on, The Great Lakes are large enough to contain their lakes.
There are thousands of smaller lakes known as inland lakes in the Great Lakes Basin. The lakes play a major role in transportation, fishing, and cargo shipping.
Road trips wouldn’t dent a hole in your pocket but your heart. Not only are road trips unique and relaxing, but they also offer a chance for tourists to learn about the region’s culture, and numerous tours familiarize visitors with the unfamiliar area.