LakeLocate Blog

This spring, stop and smell the flowers—at a spring flower festival.

From daffodil days to azalea fairs, there are lots of celebrations from which to choose, especially in the southern, eastern and midwestern portions of the U.S.A.

J. Strom Thurmond Lake happens to be the largest Corps of Engineers Lake that is east of the Mississippi. Located in a reservoir between the South Carolina and Georgia border, it was created back in 1951 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It also happens to be the second largest artificial lakes located on the east side of the Mississippi River, while being one of southeast’s most popular lakes for public recreation.

Longing for small-town life with an edge? Then you won’t want to miss these unique vacation spots.

What do Lewisburg, West Virginia; Ely, Minnesota; and Cayucos, California, have in common? Each was the number one pick by voters in Budget Travel Magazine’s Coolest Small Town competition. The contest, which allows online visitors to select their favorite small U.S. town, doesn’t reward the quaint or the cute. Although they’re small, these towns are nothing like Mayberry. They’re hip little burgs with personality plus. Although each has a population under 10,000, they’re packed with fun things to do. So if you’re looking for an exciting small-town vacation, check out these cool U.S. towns.

The next time you’re looking for a great vacation spot, think small.

At 20 miles long and eight miles wide, the Upper Klamath (also known as Klamath Lake) is Oregon’s largest freshwater lake. It’s also one of the biggest natural bodies of water west of the Rockies. Visitors love Klamath Lake for its gorgeous weather and teeming wildlife. It also offers incredible water sport opportunities and excellent fishing.

If you're a lake enthusiast who loves to hike, camp, fish, take pictures, or just appreciate nature, put Crater Lake at the top of your must-visit list. It's well worth the trip. Crater Lake is one of the nation's most unique bodies of water. Located in Oregon's Crater Lake National Park, it's approximately 60 miles NW of Klamath Falls, the county seat, and 80 miles NE of Medford.

Once a private home built in 1865, the TC Smith Historic Inn is an exquisite Bed and Breakfast Inn located at picturesque Lake Geneva, WI. Located just to the north of downtown, it gives it's guests the opportunity to experience everything Lake Geneva has to offer without the hassle driving. For over a quarter century this family owned and operated Inn has welcomed guests and offered it's hospitality. The rooms have an authentic 19th century feel with furnishings and a fireplace in each room that date back to the time period giving the TC Smith Historic Inn. Contact them at (262) 248-1097.

For outdoor lovers, adventure is just a short drive from Milwaukee and Chicago to southeastern Wisconsin. Home to beautiful Geneva Lake and other renowned bodies of water like Lake Como and Shawano Lake, southeastern Wisconsin affords visitors lots of excitement. On its scenic lake shores, there’s cycling, hiking, golfing—even ziplining. On the water, there’s even more fun available, from fishing and swimming to parasailing and water skiing.

Visit any of these three West Virginia lakes, and you're just a short drive from unique sightseeing opportunities - Cranberry Glades, Cass Scenic Railroad, and Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park.

Lake Michigan is one of Michigan's Great Lakes, and it borders the entire western edge of the state. With a shoreline of this magnitude, you will find interesting destination points all along the edge of the lake. These destinations are not only in Michigan; Lake Michigan also borders the eastern coast of Wisconsin, as well as touching Indiana and Illinois.

Beaver Island
Beaver Island is a large island set in Lake Michigan off the northwest coast of the state of Michigan. Historically, this island had been an English monarchy; today it is a popular tourist site. The people of the island call it "America's Emerald Isle," and it is a center for tourism. There are several smaller islands that surround it, and this archipelago is known for beautiful trails for hiking, excellent fishing, and an idyllic setting for shopping, sunning, and camping.

The Finger Lakes are located in the beautiful wine region of central upstate New York. While this area is known for its expansive vineyards and wineries, there are a myriad of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Educational Outings
Families with young children may want to pepper their vacation with visits to a few places that will offer some educational experience while still being fun and interesting for everyone involved. One such place would be the Corning Museum of Glass. Here, you and your family can learn about the history glass, which spans the last 35 decades, and you can even try glass blowing yourself....

While there are numerous locations throughout the US that offer camping and other outdoor activities, one of the most popular places to spend a week or weekend is at one of the many magnificent lakes throughout the country. If you're looking for breathtaking views Lake Isabella, located in Kern County California, might just fit the bill.

At just 16 acres, Long Branch Lake, located in Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem, WV, may be small in comparison to other area lakes, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any less beautiful or interesting. In fact, if you’re looking for a lake vacation filled with freshwater fishing, hiking, paddleboating, or skimming serene waters in a canoe, you’ll love the Long Branch.

If you love water sports, like to fish and enjoy the great outdoors, make your next vacation a lake vacation, and spend it at Apache Lake. Located in Tonto National Forest, the Apache is 17 miles long. It’s one of four artificial lakes in Arizona that are situated on the Salt River.

The Loneliest Place on Earth
In Mono Basin National Forest, in a remote area east of the Sierra Nevada sits one of the most unusual lakes in California. In fact, many people call it one of the wonders of the world—Mono Lake. Mark Twain called it "the loneliest place on Earth."

Tomlinson Run Lake, located in WV’s panhandle, sits in the midst of Tomlinson State Park, 1,398 acres of rolling forest that’s home to the lake as well as Tomlinson River, which empties into the Ohio.

Battered and fried over a campfire, roasted whole on sticks, baked in hobo packets on hot coals—no matter how it’s fixed, freshly caught fish can be the highlight of a meal enjoyed after a day of successful fishing, that is, if the catch is properly cared for before cooking.

Going backpacking? Then be sure to prepare beforehand. Whether you intend to spend one day or several hiking the great outdoors, if you plan ahead, you will have a more enjoyable experience. And you’ll definitely have a safer one.

One of the major ways you can prepare for your hike is by carefully assembling the food and other items that you will need to take with you.

There's nothing quite like the peace and calm that you experience while sitting on the shore of a lake, staring out into the rippling waters, and thinking about absolutely nothing. With the economic times the way they are, any outing that can bring about this serenity is most welcomed, especially if it's one that costs you next to nothing. Here are a few reasons why lakes are, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the perfect getaway.

Stretch out beside a picnic lunch and watch a bald eagle slice the air. Hurtle through whitewater down the Merced River, safely tucked into a raft alongside an expert guide. Or circle a cool mountain lake on horseback. These and more outdoor delights await those who choose California’s Sierra Nevada, either for an exciting outdoor vacation or as a permanent residence.

There is just something about a lakeside area that is beautiful, even idyllic for a honeymoon destination. Resorts and cabins along serene waters are often designed specifically to cater to your romantic getaway, and you can choose to be as secluded as you like for private times, but a bustling city or a quaint little town is usually not too far away.

Planning a family lake vacation soon? Apart from wanting to find a lake, you might also want to know about simple but helpful tips that will make that particular outing less stressful. These are simple yet practical pieces of advice that will make things easier not just for the outing planner (which is you) but also for the rest of your party. After all, occasions like these ought to be remembered for the fun times had by everyone and not as a way of recalling mishaps and disasters that could have been avoided.

When you find a lake for your family lake vacation, do check out the surrounding areas and make sure the following are present: garbage cans, park benches and emergency toilets. These are fairly common among many lakeside areas across the nation, but make sure that this is one of the first few things you scope out as soon as you find a lake. This will make bathroom emergencies last shorter and setting up that delicious spread easier, for it will lessen the load you have to carry in the car just so everyone can eat. If you must bring additional surfaces, try to get ones that are foldable for easy storage and set up.

Before you even find a lake for the family lake vacation you have been planning, do make sure that you have an emergency "anything goes" kit containing any or all of the following: band aids, mosquito repellent, allergy medication, an assortment of medicines for any general condition, baby wipes, cotton balls and gauze, cleaning solutions, among others. Any emergencies and mishaps can be easily fixed, and your toddler with the scraped knee can still join in some of the fun after being bandaged up. Antihistamines are also great for those who have food or environment allergies, so stock up on it, too.

There should also be a "family lake vacation fun kit" in your car consisting of lightweight and easy to set up sporting goods equipment (badminton or volleyball, for example), some playing cards, crossword puzzles, a transistor radio, visors, Frisbee and the like. This fun kit will be well-appreciated by both the active and the passive crowd for when excitement is the name of the game or when they simply want to kick back and chill in the lakeside. In terms of clothing, make sure the kids wear comfy and easy clothing that will go easy in the dryer should they be decorated with grass, food and soil stains during the outing.

When you plan something as fun as this, make sure you leave the gadgets at home to encourage friends and family to interact and have fun with one another and not simply roam around on their own. After all, the reason for the vacation is to bond with one another and become a lot closer. A family lake vacation is indeed a lot more fun and hassle-free when you keep these suggestions in mind as you find a lake perfect for such an occasion.