35 Lake Towns for a Weekend Adventure

The town of Oswego has it all—historic buildings like the Merriam Barrett Guest House that appeal to history buffs, and natural wonders to tempt more outdoorsy travelers. Come summer, Lake Ontario and the Oswego River, which cuts through this town in Upstate New York, are teeming with kayakers, rafters, and hobby fishermen.

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Water sports enthusiasts looking for their next adrenaline fix may want to set their sights on this 1,000-person town situated in close proximity to four lakes. Torch Lake, the largest of the four, stretches 19 miles and is as amenable to picnicking as it is to swimming and fishing.

Warning: A trip to this cool Colorado town may induce envy in your friends when they see your wow-worthy photos of Main Street, the sparkling Dillon Reservoir, and the three imposing mountain ranges that border the town. When you're not behind the camera, you can work up an appetite rowing in the reservoir or pitching your tent at Heaton Bay Campground, then grab some Southwestern-style grub at Silverheels.

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From the "Rock the Lake" music festival to parasailing on the eight-square-mile Geneva Lake, there's no shortage of fun for outdoor enthusiasts in this southeastern Wisconsin town. The wooded campsites with showers at nearby Big Foot State Park appeal to those nature lovers who aren't keen on roughing it.

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It's hard to argue with this Texas town's claim that it has the most beautiful town square in the state, what with its panoply of well-preserved Victorian buildings and meandering trails along the San Gabriel River. But the town also abuts one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas. Spanning nearly 1,300 acres, Lake Georgetown boasts ample coastline for swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and those much-talked-about Texas barbecues.

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If a trip to Sweden isn't in the cards, settle into this Swedish-influenced town bordered by lakes on all sides. The town was named after Daniel Lindström, a Swedish immigrant who was an important figure in the town's early history. To this day, the town celebrates that nation's culture through monuments and historic sites as well as a yearly festival, Karl Oskar Days. Held in early July, the event, which features street dancing, a parade, and fireworks, celebrates characters from Vilhelm Moberg’s "The Emigrants," a novel inspired by the journey of real Swedish immigrants to America.

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Learn about the industrial history of Laconia on a tour of the Belknap Mill, the oldest original brick textile mill in the country, or watch passing boats on nearby Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake or Lake Opechee, all of which boast crystal-clear water for swimming or fishing.

The third-deepest lake in Washington is like a personal playground for visitors to this scenic Pacific Northwest town. Spanning 50 miles in length, Lake Chelan is long enough for powerboat or whitewater raft excursions but equally accommodating to those who prefer to dip their toes into the shallow waters by the shoreline.

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Greenwood's annual Festival of Discovery pays homage to the culture and food of South Carolina with a barbecue society and a hash cook-off. There's no better place to scarf down the spoils of these culinary competitions than on the shore of the town's eponymous lake, an 11,400-acre reservoir that in fair weather inspires locals to set off on their boats in search of fish and relaxation. 

Determined to change their reputation after being ranked among the least healthy towns in North Carolina, this community of 1,440 initiated the "Take the Walk" challenge, a free fitness event held annually on the town's eponymous 8,938-acre freshwater lake. Whether you opt to swim across it, paddle about in it, or walk around it, the oval-shaped oasis promises plenty of natural beauty along the way.

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Fishing is off-limits at Lake Phoenix, this town's most notable natural wonder. But other outdoor pleasures abound in the spring-fed lake, where you can scuba dive or snorkel to explore its depths, which range up to 65 feet. When you're ready to come up for air, book a stay at one of the region's quaint bed-and-breakfasts, such as Brunswick Mineral Springs or The Grey Swan Inn.

The 587 residents of this tiny town near the Pennsylvania-Ohio state line share Pymatuning Lake with the neighboring towns of Hartstown, Harmonsburg, and Adamsburg. But the 17,000-acre swamp turned lake affords more than enough shoreline and water to quench your thirst for the outdoors, whether your pursuit of choice is boating or angling.

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Boasting a relatively temperate climate, Summersville is a major draw for vacationers in search of a respite from the Southern heat. If that's not enough to keep you cool, dip your toes into the 4,219-square-mile Summersville Lake, or don your scuba gear and dive right in to explore the boat that was deliberately hidden in its depths for divers to find.

Shutterbugs who gravitate toward architectural subjects will find plenty to photograph in this Mississippi town on the eastern bank of Lake Washington. Glen Allan is awash in stately mansions and historic buildings like St. John’s Episcopal Church, a 188-year-old chapel that's one of the most photographed sites in the state.

Water worshippers are spoiled for choice in this Ozark town that's situated near three lakes. The closest, Lake Leatherwood, is a mountain biker's paradise, Table Rock Lake is a dream diving destination, and Beaver Lake takes the cake for fishing.

Have a hankering for history? Take a trip down memory lane in this town on the banks of Table Rock Lake that's crammed with theme parks and performance venues, including the 1880s-themed Silver Dollar City amusement park and Dolly Parton's Stampede, a celebration of trick riding, patriotism, and friendly competition. Or, take a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway for a glimpse of railroad features from the olden days.

Home to a network of lakes known as the Iowa Great Lakes, Okoboji boasts prime pools for water skiing and paddle boating. For the younger set, Arnolds Park Amusement Park, an Iowa tradition since 1889, offers funnel cakes, family attractions, thrill rides, and a roller coaster that dates back to 1927.

The Selkirk, Bitterroot, and Cabinet mountain ranges on the outskirts of this panhandle community form a scenic backdrop for the state's largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille. Wakeboarders, jet skiers, and sailors are all encouraged to make a splash in the 43-mile-long lake.

From watching the boats go by on Bear Lake to sampling the local harvest during the annual Raspberry Days celebration, you'll have your pick of family-friendly fun (and all the berries you can eat) in this quirky Utah town.

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Although it's one of the most sparsely populated towns in the United States, the 328-person community of Westmore may have one of the highest rates of fun per capita in the country. Replete with shops, restaurants, and breweries, the town also offers easy access to a public beach at Lake Willoughby and the campgrounds of Willoughby State Forest.

The largest artificial lake in the world built without machinery, the 13,500-acre Grand Lake occupies an important place in St. Marys past and present. Though it was constructed as a reservoir for the Miami-Erie Canal, today anglers, kayakers, and other outdoors types throughout the Midwest have come to know and love the lake for its glimmering waters and rustic campgrounds.