17 of the Most Beautiful Mountain Lakes in the USA

It probably comes as no surprise that everyone here at Mountain House has a soft spot for mountain lakes. Whether you enjoy backpacking through a national park to a high-elevation lake, paddling across glass-smooth alpine water, or planning a summer escape built around mountain scenery, there’s something about a mountain lake that feels like a reset button for the soul. Something about the crystal-clear water, rugged peaks, and quiet shores always makes you want to stay a little longer.

North America is home to countless beautiful lakes, and there are far more stunning spots than we could ever list. The mountain lakes below are simply some of our favorites, chosen because they offer unforgettable scenery, great hiking trails, or special experiences you cannot find anywhere else.

Best Mountain Lakes in the US

The United States is home to some of the most dramatic mountain lakes in the world, with deep volcanic basins, rugged alpine valleys, and long, clear stretches of freshwater that draw hikers and paddlers every year. These lakes offer big scenery, big landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.

Iceberg Lake (Montana)

Glacier National Park in the Northern Rocky Mountains has absolutely no shortage of spectacularly beautiful mountain lakes, but right up there among the most impressive has to be Iceberg Lake along the Continental Divide of the Lewis Range. Set at close to 6,100 feet, this ridiculously photogenic water body comes tightly hemmed by grand looming mountains—Iceberg Peak, Mount Wilbur— in a tight, northeast-facing cirque that holds snow and ice long into the summer, including, yes, icebergs rafting about in the lake. (The Blackfeet called it Kokutoi Omahxikimi, or "Ice Lake.") Reach it from the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn trailhead and take a hike along the impressive Ptarmigan Wall. Watch out for grizzly bears, please.

Location: Glacier National Park

Known for: Towering cliffs, icy water, dramatic mountain setting

Best for: Hikers, photography lovers, summer adventures

photo credit: Caroline Foster

Sawtooth Lake (Idaho)

One of Idaho's most celebrated backcountry destinations, Sawtooth Lake lies nearly 8,500 feet up in the sublime Sawtooth Range. It is nestled in the shadow of 10,190-foot Mount Regan—you really can't take a bad picture—and the trek up also delivers views of the slightly lower, and equally beautiful, Alpine Lake (also worth a side-trip visit on your Sawtooth Lake hike).

Location: Sawtooth Wilderness

Known for: Rugged views, glacial terrain, peaceful setting

Best for: Backpacking, kayaking, long hiking days

photo credit: John Waller

Yellowstone Lake (Wyoming)

Yellowstone Lake is the king of North America's mountain lakes: the biggest above 7,000 feet on the continent, a nearly 140-square-mile freshwater "sea" perched in the caldera of the Yellowstone Supervolcano. Edged by geyser basins and framed by the Absarokas and the Red Mountains, Yellowstone Lake—swum by cutthroat (and non-native lake) trout, fished by white pelicans and bald eagles, and prowled at its edges by grizzlies—feels positively oceanic, especially if you're caught out on a boat in its big whitecaps.

Location: Yellowstone National Park

Known for: Geothermal scenery, wildlife, wide-open views

Best for: Boating, canoeing, scenic drives, year-round photography

photo credit: @ayellowstonelife

Crater Lake (Oregon)

Oregon's Crater Lake is often referred to as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. A vividly blue, crystal-clear, and almost perfectly round high-elevation jewel, it fills the blasted-open caldera of Mount Mazama in the Cascade Range. Formed in a cataclysmic Mazama eruption some 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake is bordered by lava cliffs, pumice pinnacles, and overlooking peaks and knobs; rising above the lake surface is 6,940-foot Wizard Island, as well as the jagged little Phantom Ship. A cross-country ski trip around the Crater Lake rim is one of the Pacific Northwest's standout adventures.

Location: Crater Lake National Park

Known for: Bright blue water, volcanic landscape, incredible visibility

Best for: Photography, hiking, snow sports, boat tours

photo credit: Michael Begansky

Thousand Island Lake (California)

From Columbine and Cyclamen lakes in the spectacular glacial stairsteps of Sequoia National Park to the Alger Lakes below Koip Peak Pass east of Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada has a surplus of postcard-perfect alpine lakes. One of the biggest is Thousand Island Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of the Ritter Range (not far south of the Alger Lakes). Named for its preponderance of rocky islets, Thousand Island Lake is an impressively proportioned example of a glacial tarn framed gloriously by the huge tooth of Banner Peak.

Location: Ansel Adams Wilderness

Known for: Dramatic mountain backdrop, glacial water, peaceful shoreline

Best for: Backpacking, camping, mountain views

photo credit: Vanessa Temblado

Mammoth Lakes Basin (California)

The Mammoth Lakes Basin is home to several beautiful lakes, including Lake Mary, Lake George, and Horseshoe Lake. Each lake has its own personality, and together they make one of the most accessible alpine destinations in California. Visitors can rent kayaks, explore hiking and biking trails, and take in year-round scenery that includes peaks, forests, and clear water.

Location: Inyo National Forest

Known for: Easy access, family-friendly, lots of recreation

Best for: Kayaking, hiking, canoeing, lakeside camping

Lake Chelan (Washington)

Lake Chelan stretches for about 50 miles and feels like a fjord carved into the North Cascades. The water is deep and clear, and the mountains rise sharply from the lakeshore. The remote community of Stehekin sits at the north end and can only be reached by boat, foot, or plane, which gives the lake a special sense of solitude.

Location: North Cascades Region

Known for: Sunny weather, long shoreline, dramatic mountain scenery

Best for: Boating, paddleboarding, hiking, quiet retreats

Lake Tahoe (California and Nevada)

Lake Tahoe is one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in North America and is also one of the clearest. The surrounding Sierra Nevada creates a postcard setting that visitors enjoy all year, whether they come for skiing, boating, hiking, swimming, or simple lakeside relaxation. Tahoe has countless beaches, scenic overlooks, and campgrounds, which make it a perfect fit for almost any type of traveler.

Location: Sierra Nevada

Known for: Clear waters, year-round recreation, iconic scenery

Best for: Paddleboarding, boat rentals, hiking trails, family trips

Dream Lake and Emerald Lake (Colorado)

Dream Lake is one of the most loved mountain lakes in the US and is framed by the tall peaks of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. The trail passes Nymph Lake and continues to Emerald Lake, creating one of the most rewarding short hikes in the Rockies. These lakes offer that classic alpine feel Colorado is known for.

Location: Rocky Mountain National Park

Known for: Easy access, big mountain views, great for photos

Best for: Families, hikers, early morning walks

photo credit: Mitch London

Flathead Lake (Montana)

Flathead Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the western United States and is known for its clean water and wide-open views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors enjoy swimming, sailing, pontoon rentals, and exploring Wild Horse Island State Park.

Location: Flathead Valley

Known for: Warm summer swimming, wildlife, clear water

Best for: Boating, camping, family vacations

Lake of the Clouds (Michigan)

The scenic highlight of Upper Michigan's Porcupine Mountains, and among the most breathtaking landscapes in the entire Midwest, Lake of the Clouds—drained to nearby Lake Superior via the Carp River—comes embraced by old-growth Northwoods forest and magnificently overlooked by a sharp escarpment of ancient basalt.

Location: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Known for: Peaceful scenery, fall colors, wide overlooks

Best for: Hiking, photography, quiet trips

photo credit: Linda Carter

Wassataquoik Lake (Maine)

This lake amid the highlands of Baxter State Park, just a stone's throw from Mount Katahdin, distills a whole lot of Maine's scenic essence into its gorgeous setting. There's a good chance your Maine experience along Wassataquoik Lake's shores or on its fish-rich waters will be further enhanced by the appearance of a moose or two.

Location: Baxter State Park

Known for: Wildlife, solitude, classic New England feel

Best for: Canoe trips, fishing, forest camping

photo credit: Irwin Baret

Lakes of the Clouds (New Hampshire)

Not to be confused with the much bigger lake in the Porcupine Mountains, this cluster of high tarns—more ponds than lakes—sits at 5,000-odd feet between Mount Monroe and Mount Washington in the highest country in the Northeast: the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. The scenery's dreamy, and you can savor it at sunset and sunrise with an overnight stay in the Lakes of the Clouds Hut.

Location: Presidential Range

Known for: High elevation, sweeping views, unique setting

Best for: Hikers, overnight hut stays, summit views

photo credit: Bethany Renaud

Lake George (New York)

Lake George has been a beloved mountain lake getaway for generations. The water is clear, the mountains are close, and the shoreline is full of campgrounds, boat rentals, and small towns that feel perfect for summer. It is also often referred to as one of the most beautiful lakes to live on in the United States.

Location: Adirondack Mountains

Known for: Family-friendly, lots of activities, great swimming

Best for: Boating, paddling, lakeshore vacations

Fontana Lake (North Carolina)

Fontana Lake sits along the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains and has quiet coves that feel like secret hideaways. Paddleboarders and kayakers love this area, and the views of the forested ridges are some of the best in the Southeast.

Location: Great Smoky Mountains

Known for: Calm water, mountain backdrops, peaceful atmosphere

Best for: Paddling, camping, weekend getaways

Lake Waiau (Hawaii)

Among the highest-elevation lakes in the country and Hawaii's only genuine alpine lake, Lake Waiau has a striking moonscape perch at 13,020 feet on the high flanks of the great shield volcano Mauna Kea on the Big Island. Having shriveled almost to nothing in 2013, Lake Waiau—which means "swirling water of a current" in native Hawaiian and which holds significant cultural significance—has regained its stature lately thanks to rejuvenating rainfalls.

Location: Mauna Kea

Known for: Rare alpine environment, cultural importance

Best for: Photography, high-elevation viewing

photo credit: onlyinhawaii.com

Lake Powell (Arizona and Utah)

Lake Powell is a maze of red rock cliffs, narrow canyons, and hidden coves. It is unlike any other body of water on this list, and the mix of desert and mountain scenery makes it especially striking. Visitors come for houseboating, kayaking, and exploring the dramatic shoreline.

Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Known for: Slot canyons, long shorelines, incredible sunsets

Best for: Multi-day boat trips, paddling, scenic exploration

Mountain Lakeshore Resorts and Easy Getaways

If you're in the mood for lakeshore sightseeing with a bit more developed amenities at your disposal, you'll find some of the best lake resorts in the country have magnificent mountain backdrops:

• Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
• Lake Chelan, Washington
• Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
• Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
• Lake George, New York

Each destination has campgrounds, home rentals, boat rentals, beaches, and mountain views that make relaxing by the water simple and rewarding.

Respect the Environment

No matter which lake adventure you choose, it's absolutely critical to respect the environment when "lake-bagging" in the high country. Alpine lakeshores, as well as the marshlands, meadows, tundra, and parkland that often surround them, are fragile places indeed in the face of heavy boot traffic. Many popular lake basins have backpacking quotas or are closed to camping entirely. Often, the most responsible thing to do is eschew camping directly along the lake (even if it's allowed) and choose a more durable, less-trammeled site (such as a grove of subalpine forest) in the vicinity.

Mountain House and Mountain Lakes: A Perfect Match

Wherever your travels take you, we hope you find a mountain lake that makes you pause and take in the moment. And when it is time to refuel, Mountain House meals make life on the trail a whole lot easier. They are lightweight in your pack, loaded with the nutrition you need after a long day outside, and simple to prepare with just hot water. With their long shelf life and reliable taste, they are an easy choice for any adventure, from a lakeshore picnic to a multi-day backpacking trip.