25 Beautiful Lakeside Campsites
Lakeside camping is tough to beat.
Camping is always a great time, even if the surroundings aren't exactly stunning. But there's something special about waking up with the sun and witnessing a perfectly calm lake in the early morning light. The best way to get a front row seat to one of nature's greatest shows is by camping lakeside and this list of 25 beautiful lakes where you can camp should be plenty of inspiration for you to start planning your next camping adventure.
1. Mono Lake
California | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Gregg Boydston
2. Lake McDonald
Montana | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Seth Langbauer
3. Spade and Venus Lakes
Washington | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Jason Zabriskie
4. The Great Salt Lake
Utah | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Prajit Ravindran
5. Russel Lake
Oregon | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Erik Sanders
6. Lake Lovely Water
Whistler | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Matthew Hosford
7. East Lake
Oregon | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: TJ Orton
8. Sawtooth Lake
Idaho | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Dusty Klein
9. Granite Springs Reservoir
Wyoming | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Whitney James
10. Cracker Lake
Montana | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Dustin Wong
11. Lower Crystal Lake
Colorado | Hike In or Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Ryan McKinney
12. Tank Lakes
Washington | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Mitch Pittman
13. Todd Lake
Oregon | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Talia Touboul
14. Red Pine Lake
Utah | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Sam Watson
15. Thomas Lake
Colorado | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Mike Fennell
16. Crane Prairie Reservoir
Oregon | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: TJ Orton
17. Silver Lake
Utah | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Michael Johnston
18. Sparks Lake
Oregon | Boat Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Whitney Whitehouse
19. Ibantik Lake
Utah | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Colton Marsala
20. Heart Lake
Colorado | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Whitney James
21. Ice Lake
Wyoming | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Trent Sizemore
22. Red Castle Lake |
Utah | BackpackingLearn more.
Photo: Sam Watson
23. Jackson Lake
Wyoming | Car Camping | Learn more.
Photo: Ryan McKinney
24. Alice Lake
Idaho | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Dusty Klein
25. Mirror Lake
Oregon | Backpacking | Learn more.
Photo: Roark Nelson
Don't see your favorite lakeside camping spot? Show us by creating an adventure!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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