If you need a vacation with a capital “V”, a lake resort is the perfect option. You’ll get lake access and views, comfortable accommodation, and unique experiences without having to worry about anything. This means your only job is to soak in the views, paddle around, and sit back and relax. So without further ado, here are the best lake resorts in the USA!
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Northeast Lake Resorts in the USA
Basin Harbor Resort on Lake Champlain
Basin Harbor, self-described as the “antithesis of a big corporate hotel”, is exactly what the doctor ordered. It sits on over 700 acres of lakeshore property with options to stay in either their exquisitely designed lodge building or in one of their lakefront cottages for extra peace and quiet.
Lawn games, water activities, and a heated pool are all included in your booking. There’s also delicious dining with six unique restaurants on the property! Book here.
Naswa Resort on Lake Winnipesaukee
If you’re looking for a low-key and fun-filled lake vacation, you can’t get much better than Naswa Resort! It boasts the longest private sandy beach on all of Lake Winnipesaukee and has amenities on top of amenities.
Rent a paddleboard or kayak right from the shore, take a chartered ride around the lake in the SS Naswa, or slide up to the beachfront NazBar for a cocktail and a snack after a long day of tanning. You can book a private cottage or snag a room with a view in their gorgeous lodge! Book here. Photo from the Naswa website.
Attean Lake Lodge in Jackman, Maine
If you need to unplug, there’s no better place than Attean Lake Lodge. It’s an all-inclusive resort on a 24-acre island in the middle of Attean Lake without any electricity or cell service (don’t worry, there is solar power and 24/7 WiFi)!
There’s 14 unique cottages with lake views for privacy and the ultimate opportunity for rest & relaxation. Cottages come with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and everything else you could ask for when you’re chilling lakeside. Book here.
Midwest Lake Resorts in the USA
Lake Shore Resort on Lake Michigan
Lake Shore Resort is the perfect place to chill out and refresh on Lake Michigan. If you want the ease and comfort of a lake resort with all of the options of a small lake town, Lake Shore Resort offers the best of both worlds thanks to its location only three miles from downtown Saugatuck.
Madden’s on Gull Lake, Minnesota
For over 90 years, Madden’s on Gull Lake has been the go-to lake resort in Minnesota. With 2 miles of pristine shoreline, 4 award-winning golf courses, and an endless list of land and water sports facilities and equipment, it’s no wonder it was ranked the #53 Best Resort in the World by Condé Nast Traveler… and why it made my list of best Lake Resorts in the USA 😉
There are eight different dining facilities that serve everything from a casual post-golfing pint at the 19th Hole and Pool Deck, to a romantic dinner for two at the Classic Grill. Stay in a waterfront room in one of their three luxury lodges or book a villa right on the golf course for early morning rounds! Book here.
Old Kinderhook Resort on Lake of the Ozarks
If your priority is luxury while visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, there’s nowhere better than Old Kinderhook Resort. Lying on over 700 acres on the stunning west side of the lake, the resort is known for its championship golf course.
South USA Lake Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton on Lake Oconee, Georgia
Located just outside of Atlanta, the Ritz-Carlton on Lake Oconee is an ideal spot for a weekend of rest and relaxation. There are five championship golf courses, a world-class spa, and classic lake fun to be had with complimentary kayaks and paddleboards.
It wouldn’t be a Ritz-Carlton experience without exquisite dining experiences curated by first-class chefs. Options range from local farm-to-table delicacies to a private steakhouse for a special occasion dinner. Book here.
Long Cove Resort on Lake Wylie, North Carolina
Located only 30 minutes from uptown Charlotte, Long Cove Resort is a hidden gem tucked into the lakeshore of Lake Wylie. Accommodations are 33 charming tiny houses with kitchenettes and lake views to enjoy while sipping your morning coffee. The resort offers a private beach complete with campfires and comfy Adirondack chairs, two different patios with gorgeous views, and a pool to relax in.
West Coast Lake Resorts in the USA
Edgewood Tahoe Resort on Lake Tahoe
The Edgewood Tahoe Resort is all about luxury. It’s a boutique resort nestled along the intensely blue shore of Lake Tahoe that prides itself on making guests stay the experience of a lifetime.
Newly opened villas allow for even more privacy, but the classic lodge rooms are also all styled with your comfort in mind. It’s a year-round resort, open in the winter for tired skiers to rest their weary legs in a hot tub, in the fall for foliage sightseers to enjoy a cup of cider by the fire, and in the summer for lake goers to return to after a long day of swimming, boating, and having fun in the California sun.
There’s an award-winning golf course, an opulent spa that will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed, and top-tier dining options no matter what you’re in the mood for! Book here. Photo from Facebook.
Lost Lake Resort on Lost Lake in Oregon
If you’re looking for a remote resort to disconnect from it all, Lost Lake Resort will check all your boxes. It’s located in Mt. Hood National Forest on a 254-acre lake with breathtaking views of Mt. Hood. You can tent camp if you want to become one with the forest around you.
If you don’t want to rough it quite so much, you can choose between cabins, yurts, or A-frames nestled under the towering fir and cedar trees on the edge of the lake. It’s still a glamping experience though as none of the buildings have electricity. Instead, head outside and star gaze! You won’t be disappointed. During the day, you can hike, fish, and swim below Mt. Hood! Book here.
Ross Lake Resort in the North Cascade Wilderness
Ross Lake Resort might just be the most unique resort on this list. That’s because (drum roll please…) it’s a floating resort! That’s right, you can stay in a floating cabin right on Ross Lake with the North Cascade Mountains looking over you! It’s definitely still a rustic lake resort as there’s no dining options on site, so be prepared to cook your own food. During the day, read your book on your deck with your toes in the water or just jump in completely for a refreshing dip in the glacial waters.
If you’re not lucky enough to snag one of their cabins (it can be quite competitive), they do allow day visitors to use their floating marina and lake access! Book here. Photo from Ross Lake Resort website.
Central USA Lake Resorts
Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake LBJ, Texas
Just 45 minutes from Austin, Horseshoe Bay Resort is ~the~ resort in Texas Hill Country. It’s an AAA four-diamond lake and golf resort complete with a full-service spa, three world class golf courses, sunset cruises, daily events for kids and adults, excellent dining options, and more!
If you’re looking to sit back and relax, you can suntan at one of their three pools. If you want to get your sweat on, you can do a myriad of water sports from their marina, improve your tennis or pickleball game at one of their many courts, or workout in their state-of-the-art fitness center. Book here. Photo from Horseshoe Bay Resort Facebook.
Grand Lake Lodge on Grand Lake, Colorado
After staying here myself, I can confidently say Grand Lake Lodge is the best place to stay in Grand Lake, Colorado. If you want my full experience, check out my review! Overall, my favorite parts of my visit were the incredible mountain views and the delicious food. You have to eat at Huntington House Tavern! Just make sure you make a reservation for porch seating for dinner and a view.
We stayed in the Spruce a half Cabin Queen room and it was nice, but you can also splurge on one of their larger cabins if you’re coming with a bigger group. I would definitely recommend staying here if you’re in Grand Lake!
For another Colorado lake resort, I have also stayed at the Estes Park Resort just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. It was absolutely beautiful. Read all about my trip to Estes Park here!
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake Montana
Whether you want an adventurous or relaxing vacation, The Lodge has it all! Its location between Whitefish Lake and Viking Creek Wetland Preserve means there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure to be had. After your adventure, treat yourself to some treatments at their first-class spa.
What’s your favorite lake resort in the USA? Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @onechelofanadventure while you’re chilling lakeside!
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xx Chels
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