Spirit Island Cruise
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Scenic boat trip down Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.
Maligne Lake Fishing
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Beautiful lake with numerous short hikes and great fishing and canoeing.
Valley of Five Lakes
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Excellent (but crowded) short hike featuring five lakes with beautiful blue-green colored water.
Lake Alta and the Remarkables ♦
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown area
Two lesser-known short hikes (Lake Alta and Shadow Basin Lookout) to awesome alpine views.
Lake Tekapo Peninsula Walkway
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Western Lake Tekapo
Local gem with great views of Lake Tekapo and a cool beach with white cliffs.
Parker Lake
Location: Lee Vining Area, Northern California, Eastern Sierras
Nice scenic hike to an alpine lake perfect for trout fishing.
Bishop Pass Trail to Dusy Basin ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Great hike to a picturesque mountain basin with alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks – best done as an overnight backpacking trip.
Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve
Location: Iowa, Central
Preserve featuring lakes, wetlands, woodlands, and prairie with hiking trails, boating, and fishing options
Yaxha
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park
Less visited Mayan archaeological site picturesquely located on the banks of a lake
Lake Louise
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Site of an excellent historic hotel on the banks of a beautiful lake that creates excellent ice skating in the winter and is the gateway to numerous hikes in the summer; also home to a large ski resort.
Lake Poway
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Scenic multi-use trail around a lake with wildflowers in the spring
Grænavatn
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Lake formed by a volcanic crater with remarkable blue-green water
Kleifarvatn
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Large lake with lava rock formations and shallow caves along its edge
Cedar Cliff Lake
Location: North Carolina, Tuckasegee
Very pretty lake that’s great for canoeing or kayaking as well as fishing and swimming.
Echo Lake State Park
Location: New Hampshire, Conway
State park with some short hiking options and a well-known area for very nice climbing
Tioga Road
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolomne Meadows
Series of stops along the road between Yosemite Valley and Tuolomne Meadows
Cathedral Lakes
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolomne Meadows Area
Nice hike through pretty scenery to two lakes, both with views of Cathedral Peak
Mirror Lake
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Seasonal lake offering reflections of the surrounding cliffs when it’s not being used as a swimming hole; in the off season, it’s a meadow/sandy field with mountain views
Mono Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
Lake with fascinating mineral towers (called tufa) exposed due to decreasing lake levels
North Fork of Big Pine Creek ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Big Pine
Great trail through mountain scenery to a series of lakes providing views of the Palisades and Palisade Glacier.
Bishop Pass Trail to Long Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Extremely rewarding hike to an expansive lake surrounded by rugged mountains
June Lake Loop
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
Pretty lakeside resort area with lovely scenery and nice fall colors in the autumn
Sagar
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Rarely visited ruined royal capital south of Inle Lake, famous for its sunken stupas
Inle Lake
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Beautiful lake with bordering villages famous for its fishermen, temples, and monasteries
Kepler Track Day Walk
Location: New Zealand, Southland, Te Anau area
Short, scenic section of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, featuring a great swing bridge and lake views
Queenstown to Milford Helicopter
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown area
Helicopter flight to iconic Milford Sound offering outstanding views throughout the flight
Lake Tekapo
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Lake Tekapo area
Lake with beautiful turquoise water set amidst lovely scenery and a cute lakeside town.
Lake Wilkie
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Easy scenic walk featuring a boardwalk, plant life, and lake views.