Is there anything in the world better than a family lake vacation to get you in the mood for summer?
Lake vacations combine the best elements of a summer holiday – not just swimming, fishing, and boating, but also lazy days on the beach, chasing fireflies, and the constant smell of sunscreen and wet bathing suits.
There are thousands of lakes in the United States, many of them great retreats for families, but a few lakes stand out from the crowd for their family-friendly atmosphere, variety of recreation opportunities, and laid-back vibe.
Here are our absolute favorite family-friendly lakes in the United States that are perfect for your next summer vacation.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior, Michigan
Lake Superior is the largest lake by surface area in the entire world.
The shores of Lake Superior border Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario, Canada, so I can’t just recommend that you head to some random spot on this massive lake. Instead, I would urge you to plan a vacation to one of our all-time favorite parks on Lake Superior – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
At Pictured Rocks, you will find dramatic vistas, lakeside campgrounds, and an incredible diversity of wildlife, and it makes a fabulous vacation destination for outdoor-loving families.
Although there are plenty of rustic cabins, campgrounds, and RV parks that you can call home for your Lake Superior vacation, you won’t find many upscale resorts. The rustic charm and laid-back vibe of the area are what make it so special.
Best Things to Do at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior
Tour the Au Sable Light Station. Take a ranger-led tour (offered every day except for Monday and Tuesday) around this beautiful lighthouse, built in 1874. There are remains of several shipwrecks along the shore, which kids love!
Check out the Log Slide. Climb down (and back up) this incredibly steep dune if you dare. This used to be the site of a log chute, where lumberjacks would push timber into the lake for transport. What’s left is a giant sand dune with awesome views of Lake Superior.
Take a hike. There are so many great hikes in Pictured Rocks that are suitable for families. Our favorite hikes were in Chapel Basin, which brings you to a beautiful waterfall and a secluded beach.
Pitch a tent. Or park your RV. We love camping at Twelvemile Beach Campground. The campsites are practically on the beach, and all of them have great views of the water.
Get out on the water. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore encompasses a beautiful shoreline with numerous cliffs, dunes, and rock formations, and the views from the water are incredible. Because Lake Superior can be rough and the water frigid, I recommend taking a guided kayak tour with an expert paddler. Smaller lakes in the area are great for novice paddlers.
Anglers take note: Lake Superior is known throughout the world as a fishing hot spot. Anglers come from all over to catch salmon, trout, walleye, and more.
Where to Stay Near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
If you plan on camping, we highly recommend making reservations at Twelvemile Beach, but you don’t have to pitch a tent to enjoy a family lake vacation on Lake Superior.
Here are a few more options for great places to stay that are very close to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
Music Maker’s Cottage – This cute cottage is within walking distance of the town of Grand Marais and sleeps four comfortably. It’s located right on the dunes near Agate Beach and just a short drive from Pictured Rocks.
Waterfront Cottage in Grand Marais – For families that want to be closer to town, this adorable cottage is located right on the water, on the eastern edge of Pictured Rocks. It has four full bedrooms and sleeps seven comfortably.
Nauti Pine Lodge – Here’s another lakefront cottage that sleeps nine people. It’s located on beautiful Mervin Lake in Pictured Rocks National Forest.
North Lake Tahoe, California
The first time I laid eyes on Lake Tahoe, I thought I was dreaming. Could the water really be that clear and blue?
Lake Tahoe is unbelievably beautiful, and it’s also a fabulous spot for your next family lake vacation. As with most of the lakes mentioned here, the best way to experience Lake Tahoe during the summer is outdoors — on a boat, relaxing on the beach, or hiking a trail.
Explore the shores to discover sheer granite cliffs next to white sandy beaches, or meander inland through fragrant pine forests.
Lake Tahoe is deep and cold, even in the summer. Popular activities include kayaking, paddle boarding, and even nude sunbathing if you’re feeling adventurous.
Because the waters are so clear, divers frequently explore the many boats and barges that have come to rest on the lake’s bottom.
On land, hiking opportunities are plentiful, from leisurely strolls to extreme mountain climbing, and everything in between.
If you want to get off the beaten path and explore the surrounding mountains, complete with unsurpassed views of the Tahoe Basin, consider hiking a section of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail.
Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, so before you pack your beach bag, you might want to choose a more specific destination.
On the California side of the lake, there’s North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe – both are beautiful, but we found North Lake Tahoe to have a more family-friendly feel. You can’t go wrong with any of the towns in North Lake Tahoe.
Truckee is about 10 minutes away from the lake, but it’s so cute and on my shortlist of places to live someday!
King’s Beach is right on the water, and because it’s on the shallow side here, it’s actually pretty warm for swimming.
Finally, if you are looking for the perfect vacation rental, I’d recommend checking out Tahoe City.
Where to Stay on Lake Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe vacation rentals include every price point imaginable, from hostels and primitive campgrounds to lakeside cabins and luxury resorts. Here are some places we’d recommend for your family lake vacation in North Lake Tahoe.
Camping: If you can get a site, check out Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City. It’s a small campground and it’s right on the lake!
Glamping: William Kent Campground is located a few miles south of Tahoe City. The yurts are a nice upgrade from camping, but still pretty affordable!
Budget: Mother Nature’s Inn in North Lake Tahoe is a pet-friendly motel in the heart of downtown Tahoe City.
Luxury: The Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge is a cozy, classic mountain retreat along the banks of Lake Tahoe. It has a private beach, a beautiful pool, and rooms of varying sizes for small and large families.
Vacation Rental: This lakefront home in Tahoe Vista features six bedrooms and two bathrooms, a hot tub, and 100 feet of sandy beach. It’s well worth the splurge!
Lake Champlain, Vermont
I grew up near the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont, so yes, I’m partial, but I do think it’s a great destination for all kinds of fun family adventures.
Lake Champlain has been called America’s sixth Great Lake. Stretching 125 miles south from the Canadian border, and straddling the states of Vermont and New York, Lake Champlain and its surrounding communities seamlessly blend rural charm with urban influences.
Lake Champlain played an important role in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812, making it a fabulous destination for history buffs. It also has its own lake monster, so be on the lookout when you visit.
There are plenty of cool spots along the eastern shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont for a family vacation.
Our favorite spots are either just south or just north of Burlington. Of course, if you are interested in more of an urban lake vacation, Burlington is such a great destination for families with kids.
Read Next: The Best Things to Do in Burlington with Kids this Summer
About 45 minutes south of Burlington is Button Bay State Park for camping, and they have cabins too if you don’t want to rough it. We like to use Button Bay as our home base, and then explore the other parks and natural areas nearby.
Mount Philo State Park was Vermont’s very first state park and is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the whole state. Hiking up Mount Philo is easy enough for kids, but you can also drive to the top, which is nice after a long day at the lake.
As for swimming, we love Kingsland Bay State Park, which is a beautiful day-use area. We cover all three state parks in our guide to camping near Burlington, Vermont.
Explore the Lake Champlain Islands
Your other option is to drive north of Burlington and vacation on the Lake Champlain Islands. This collection of Islands used to be part of Vermont’s inland sea and you can still find ancient fossils of the sea life if you know where to look.
This area is very close to the border with Quebec, Canada, so plan on running into lots of French speakers.
This part of Lake Champlain is great for kayaking and canoeing, fishing, and biking. It’s pretty flat and there are bike routes all over the islands. There are also numerous Vermont State Parks up here, including our all-time favorite, Burton Island State Park, which you can only get to by passenger ferry or personal watercraft.
Where to Stay in the Lake Champlain Islands
Camping: Grand Isle State Park is the most popular state park in Vermont. Choose from tent/RV sites, lean-tos, or camping cabins.
Bed and Breakfast: The North Hero House Inn is a family-friendly bed and breakfast in North Hero with free breakfast and a hot tub.
Lake Havasu, Arizona
Lake Havasu in Arizona is a known vacation spot for college kids that like to party for spring break, but this desert oasis has a wholesome side to it too, and it’s one of the best lake vacations for families in the late winter.
Families who enjoy staying busy will love the shopping, restaurants, and nightlife that surrounds the lake in all seasons.
Hotels are plentiful, and kids will love the miles of sandy beaches, the warm water, and the perfect weather, nearly every day. Be sure to visit SARA Park, which has miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and Rotary Park, which has the coolest skate park we’ve ever seen, plus a great sandy beach.
Where to stay in Lake Havasu City
When it comes to choosing where to stay in Lake Havasu City, you’ve got a lot of options.
You can camp at Lake Havasu State Park. This is great for families that are boating, but lack of shade could be an issue here. Trees are in short supply in the desert.
Our favorite Lake Havasu hotel is the Nautical Beachfront Resort, which caters to families. The resort is within walking distance from the beach, and it has an onsite restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a small waterpark for kids. And it’s pet-friendly!
Finally, consider a Lake Havasu Vacation rental. There are dozens of choices for homes located just uptown from the lake, and many of them include private outdoor swimming pools. Read our top choices for Lake Havasu vacation rentals for families.
Lake George, New York
Ready to slow down and catch some fireflies on a wooded hillside? Or maybe you’re longing to sip a cup of coffee over a game of checkers on your private balcony in the forest? I think what you need is an Adirondacks glamping trip.
Whether you’re seeking solitude or a more adventurous family lake vacation, Lake George, in New York’s Adirondack Mountains covers all of your bases, and is one of the best lake vacations for families with young kids.
Kids will love the arcades and ice cream shops in Lake George Village, the iconic Great Escape just south of the lake, and there’s a healthy sprinkling of go-cart rides and mini-golf too. Families can cruise the lake with Lake George Steamboat Company or simply spend a day relaxing on the beach.
Where to Stay in Lake George, New York
While it’s not right on the lake, we enjoyed glamping with Huttopia last year. Huttopia runs a collection of beautifully rustic glamping resorts in North America, and the company just opened its fourth glamping resort near Lake George Village in New York’s Adirondack Park.
Huttopia Adirondacks is tucked away in the woods near Lake Luzerne, just five miles from Lake George Village. If you want to discover all that the Lake George Area has to offer without the throngs of people that congregate downtown, a stay at Huttopia may be exactly what you need.
Read more about our Lake George glamping vacation.
Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania
Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania is what summer getaways are made of. The gorgeous, unspoiled scenery makes Raystown Lake the perfect destination to get back to basics with your family.
Covering more than 8,000 acres, Raystown Lake is the largest lake entirely within the borders of Pennsylvania.
There are so many incredible recreational opportunities in and around the lake, and because much of the surrounding land is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, you won’t see a lot of commercial or residential development.
Swimming, boating, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and fishing can all be enjoyed here, and the best place for your lakeside home base is Lake Raystown Resort in Entriken, Pennsylvania.
At Lake Raystown Resort, guests can choose from campsites, glamping yurts, or fully-equipped cabins, and there’s a marina onsite (with pontoon boat rentals), and a waterpark for kids.
Raystown Lake is very laid back and the resort has a summer camp feel that kids will love!
Are these the best lake vacations for families in the United States? You tell us! Leave a comment with your own suggestions, and we’ll start packing our bags!
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.