No matter where you want to go on a vacation, you can find gorgeous lakes to swim, boat and fish on. Throughout the United States, visitors can use top houseboating destinations for a one-of-a-kind vacation.
Southwest
Spanning Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, the southwest is a geographically rich section of the United States. With a population of just 11 million people, it has a fairly secluded atmosphere in many locations. The geography is made up of two main rivers, three large deserts and the Colorado Plateau.
This article is the first of a three part series to help our visitors learn about and plan houseboat vacations. When you're finished reading, please click through to the next two articles in the series:
PLANNING A HOUSEBOAT VACATION:
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT HOUSEBOAT
RENTAL FOR YOUR HOUSEBOAT VACATION
Also, visit our DESTINATIONS page to learn more!
Lake Powell
Placed on the Colorado River, Lake Powell is long and thin in shape. While it may be called a lake, it is technically classified as a reservoir. Boasting of three million visitors a year, this lake offers world-class boating and beaches. Visitors can check out the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area or tour endless canyons in the area.
Other than water sports, visitors at Lake Powell can enjoy camping and climbing sandstone rocks. This area is nicknamed America's lost national park for its beauty and flooded canyons. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, the Rainbow Bridge, the Cathedral in the Desert, water skiing and kayaking while they are at Lake Powell.
Lake Mead
When you consider its water capacity, Lake Mead is technically the largest reservoir in the entire country. Located on the Colorado River, this lake is only 24 miles away from the Las Vegas Strip. Based in Arizona and Nevada, the lake was formed by the creation of the Hoover Dam. When the lake is full, it spans 112 miles in length with 759 miles of shoreline.
Other than providing a source of water, Lake Mead is a popular spot for recreation. Houseboats and motorboats are popular on the lake because of the natural, undisturbed views. Rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and several islands make up the geography of the lake. For an activity outside of the water, residents can check out the Alan Bible Botanical Garden to see plants that are native to the Mohave Desert.
Lake Mohave
Popular among fisherman, boaters and swimmers, Lake Mohave spans three out of four of America's desert ecosystems. Parts of the lake touch the Sonoran Desert, the Mohave Desert and the Great Basin. Because of the presence of the lake, the barren land comes alive with animals that can be found nowhere else in the world. Houseboats can enjoy wandering along the 290 square miles of the lake while enjoying water activities. Through a boat, visitors can reach areas that are completely inaccessible by cars.
Lake Havasu
Known for being a spring break destination, Lake Havasu offers waterboarding, water skiing, swimming and fishing options. Known as Arizona's playground, it includes 60 miles of navigable waterways that are perfect for family vacations. Visitors can sunbathe on the sandy beaches or enjoy the area's many tourist attractions. For a bird's eye view, take an air tour to enjoy the breathtaking landscape. While the lake is generally family-friendly, the atmosphere takes on a more fun-filled approach during spring break.
California
While outsiders think of California as the land of surfers and sunshine, the climate is actually quite varied. Southern California is fairly warm year-round, but the temperature starts to cool as you move northward. As the third largest state in the country, California encompasses a range of ecosystems that range from the Sierra Nevada to the Cascade Range. The largest lake in the state by volume is Lake Tahoe, but just about any Californian lake will be enjoyable to houseboat on.
Shasta Lake
Beautiful and serene, Shasta Lake is one of the most popular places for houseboating in the entire country. 
Visitors come from across the nation to enjoy the wonderful weather and gorgeous scenery at Shasta Lake. With numerous opportunities for hiking and fishing, this lake is the perfect place to visit for adventure lovers. Its secluded environment and fantastic wildlife also make it ideal for a quiet retreat.
Situated near the Pacific Ocean, Shasta Lake has a stable water temperature. When temperatures get too high, visitors can go for a refreshing dip. On cooler days, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is great for hiking and camping.
Lake Don Pedro
Since 1971, Lake Don Pedro has been popular among visitors. More than 14 million people have visited the area since then and enjoyed the 160 miles of shoreline. At the lake, visitors can enjoy water sports, fishing, boating and camping. The fireworks show in July is a popular attraction and looks amazing from the deck of a houseboat on the lake.
Lake Berryessa
Lake Berryessa is the largest lake in all of Napa County. Placed within the Vaca Mountains, Lake Berryessa was made by the Monticello Dam. This lake is actually responsible for the water used in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other than providing water, the lake is also used for water skiing and swimming enthusiasts. Seaplane landings can be done on the surface of the lake, and kayaking is a favorite activity for many visitors.
Lake Oroville
Because of its excellent recreational options, Lake Oroville is a favorite of houseboaters. Whether you like warm or cold water fishing, you can enjoy both activities in this lake. The lake is full of fish like Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, spotted bass and catfish.
Trinity Lake
Placed 20 miles west of Lake Shasta, Trinity Lake is a well-kept secret among houseboating lovers. This hidden treasure is extremely secluded, so you can enjoy sandy beaches and charming coves without any interference. The irregular shoreline makes for forested inlets, which are ideal for anchoring your houseboat. During spring and fall, the gorgeous foliage and flowers make the lake come alive.
California Delta
In reality, the California Delta is not a single destination. It is a collection of waterways that span more than 1,000 miles. If you want a secluded vacation or the ultimate chance to explore, this is the right place for you. Houseboats in the area are one of the best ways to cruise along the waters and find the hidden inlets. With access to some of California's largest cities, the California Delta is the perfect balance of seclusion and accessibility.
Pacific Northwest
With wooded forests, the Pacific Ocean and pristine lakes, the Pacific Northwest is one of the best places to go to experience the outdoors. While Lake Washington and Lake Whatcom are too busy for a true houseboating experience, Lake Roosevelt, Shuswap Lake, Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Koocanusa are excellent alternatives.
Lake Roosevelt
Created by the Grand Coulee Dam in 1941, Lake Roosevelt offers miles of open water. Placed in Washington, this narrow lake spans for 150 miles up to Canada. There are very few points where it is more than a mile in width. Whether you are houseboating on the lake or canoeing the open water, it is the perfect place to go to see steppe terrain and pine forests.
Shuswap Lake
Located in Canada, Shuswap Lake is a part of North Okanagan. With kilometers of unpopulated shoreline, it is the best place to go to get away from it all. Visitors can enjoy internet access on their houseboat. Popular recreational activities include mountain biking, water skiing, swimming, ATV riding, hiking and golfing.
This canyon lake is placed within Oregon and connects to the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked Rivers. Houseboating allows you to explore the narrow lake and three rivers easily. With intense cliffs in many areas, it is the best destination for seclusion and adventures.
Lake Koocanusa
Surrounded by mountains, Lake Koocanusa is a part of Canada and the United States. It boasts of river-fed reservoirs and narrow waters. Visitors at the lake can sunbathe on the sandy beaches or discover pristine shoreline. The main residents of the lake are animals and fish, so this is the perfect place to go to get away from it all.
South
While the image of the American South conjures up cowboys and deserts, the area is actually full of gorgeous lakes. With locations near major cities like Austin and mountainous terrains, there is a houseboating destination for every vacationer.
Lake Cumberland
With lush foliage and private coves, Lake Cumberland is one of the best destinations in the country for houseboating. Placed in Kentucky, it is surrounded by a state park. Because of its location, visitors can easily enjoy hiking, kayaking and outdoor recreational options.
Kentucky Lake
The man-made reservoir that makes up Kentucky Lake is actually one of the largest in the world. The eastern shore is the most secluded, but the amenities on the eastern shore offer great options for dining, shopping and entertainment. Fishermen love the white bass, yellow perch and buffalo carp in the lake. Meanwhile, swimmers and kayakers can enjoy wandering through the pristine waters.
Dale Hollow Lake
Surrounded by evergreen trees, Dale Hollow Lake offers picturesque, sandy beaches. Located in the northern part of Tennessee, this lake holds the record for the largest smallmouth bass caught in the state. Fishermen can also enjoy caching walleye, spotted bass, trout and largemouth bass. With tree marinas and plenty of Jet Ski rentals available, it is an ideal place to go for an adventure.
Lake Lanier
Placed just outside of Atlanta, Lake Lanier is the largest lake in all of Georgia. Formed by the Buford Dam, it is filled with more than 100 small islands. With 692 miles of shoreline, this lake offers panoramic views of trees, beaches and the open water.
Lake Ouachita
Boasting of 970 miles of tree-line shores, Lake Ouachita is placed within the Ouachita National Forest. It has more than 100 uninhabited islands that are perfect for exploring. Interestingly, the lake is home to a rare species of non-stinging jellyfish that scuba divers can discover. This lake is also ranked as one of the top ten places for largemouth bass fishing in the nation.
Norris Lake
While the Tennessee River may have a number of reservoirs, Norris Lake is by far the largest. This popular lake has hundreds of miles of shoreline dotted by forest and natural wildlife. Best known for its warm waters, Norris Lake is an excellent spot for swimming and sunbathing.
Smith Mountain Lake
Situated within the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smith Mountain Lake has 500 miles of shoreline and 32 square miles of surface area. With numerous inlets and coves, it is the perfect place for exploration. Wakeboarding, water skiing and kayaking are popular along the crystalline waters.
St. John's River
Placed in Florida, St. John's River is one of the only rivers to flow north in the entire world. Spanning 300 miles in length, it can reach up to two miles in width. This houseboat-friendly destination offers minimal elevation changes and a very slow pace. Because of this, it is ideal for visitors who want to slowly cruise along as they keep an eye out for manatees.
Florida Keys
If you want to houseboat through a tropical paradise, the Florida Keys are the best place to go. With views of the Gulf of Mexico and gorgeous islands, this area is a mecca for the true nature lover. Formed from an ancient coral reef, the Florida Keys is perfect for quiet seclusion and snorkeling.
Lake Travis
As the largest lake in Hill Country, Lake Travis is extremely popular among water skiers, boaters and swimmers. Fishing is one of the top activities of the lake, and it is fairly easy to catch a sunfish or a largemouth bass. Since the water is up to 210 feet deep, Travis Lake is also an ideal spot for scuba diving.
Sutton Lake
Beautiful, clear waters make Sutton Lake a top spot for a relaxing vacation. Placed in West Virginia, this lake is surrounded by more than 10,000 acres of public land. Boasting of 44 miles of shoreline, it is also the home of more than 60 bass tournaments every year. It was created by the Corps of Engineers when they created a dam in 1960. Commercial developments are not allowed near the lake, so you can enjoy the green mountains and clear waters unmolested by distracting stores. If you do want entertainment options, check out the Flatwood Mall or downtown Sutton just 10 minutes away.
Northeast
For many people, the Northeast is home to large cities like New York City and Boston. In reality, this section of the United States also contains miles of mountains, lakes and farmland. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, it is bounded by Canada to the north. While it may be densely populated, visitors can still enjoy visiting secluded locations like the many lakes and forests that dot the Appalachian Mountains. For a more adventuresome experience, check out the Erie Canal and Raystown Lake.
Raystown Lake
Placed within the mountains of Pennsylvania, Raystown Lake is located between Harrisburg and Altoona. This gorgeous lake includes 118 miles of tree-lined shores and is surrounded by nearly 21,000 acres of public land. Boasting of excellent fishing options, the nation is also home to wildlife like beavers, birds of prey, wild turkeys, deer, raccoons and turtles. Whether you want to explore the coves or sunbathe in a natural setting, Raystown Lake is an ideal spot for houseboating.
Erie Canal
Spanning 365 miles in length, the Erie Canal connects Albany to Buffalo. Completed in 1825, this canal was 
designed to transport goods to the Atlantic Ocean. In modern times, the Erie Canal comes alive from May to November as houseboats and recreational boats fill the area. Other than boating along the canal, visitors can enjoy wandering through 19th-century canal towns and dining at waterfront restaurants.
Midwest
From hardwood forests to open plains, the Midwest has a varied geography. The central part of the area consists of rolling terrain. Visitors can find unique vacations in areas like the Ozark Mountains, the Driftless Area, the Great Lakes Basin and the Appalachian Mountains.
Bull Shoals Lake
Made with one of the largest dams of its kind in the nation, Bull Shoals Lake is an exceptionally large lake for boating. Placed within the Ozark Mountains, this lake is a part of Arkansas. While the area is home to fishing and hiking options, most houseboaters come for the impressive shorelines. Clay shores, rocky ledges, bluffs and untamed wilderness make this lake exceptionally picturesque. Multiple species of fish like smallmouth bass and rainbow trout can be found in the lake as well.
Voyageurs National Park
The largest waterway parks in the country is Voyageurs National Park. This well-named park is perfect for exploring hidden coves and wild coastlines. Placed along the border of Canada and Minnesota, the park includes lakes like Sand Point Lake, Crane Lake and Nameken Lake. Other than the lakes, the park is also home to more than one million acres of wilderness. From sunbathing on sandy beaches to swimming in the warm waters, this park is a houseboater's dream vacation.
Rainy Lake
Situated in Canada and Minnesota, Rainy Lake is bordered on the south by Voyageurs National Park. Within this lake, visitors will find miles of remote, undeveloped waterways. The shoreline is verdant and wild for an untamed atmosphere. While the smaller inlets are excellent for exploring in a canoe, houseboats can also moor along the shoreline. From the lake, it is easy to find many hiking trails through the public lands around it.
Mississippi River
The impressive size of the Mississippi River was once immortalized by Mark Twain, and the river is just as impressive today. While many people can only watch the river float by, houseboat rentals allow you to see the waterway up close. Numerous islands, fantastic shorelines and quaint communities are just some of the things that make the Mississippi River a popular destination for houseboating.
Illinois River Valley
Placed partially within the Starved Rock State Park, the Illinois River Valley is a part of Illinois. This gorgeous river traverses canyons, waterfalls and heavy forests as it navigates through the valley. From amazing foliage to scenic vistas, the Illinois River Valley is the perfect place to go if you want to relax. Fishermen can enjoy catching species like the white bass, catfish, sauger, walleye, striper, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Meanwhile, the river is also home to beavers and a variety of bird species.
Lake of the Woods
Placed in Ontario, this Canadian lake is larger than most of the lakes in North America. Created in prehistoric times, the natural waters of Lake of the Woods span 1,679 square miles. The shoreline alone stretches for 25,000 miles in length. If you wanted a secluded vacation or a chance to discover hidden islands, this is the place to go. Within Lake of the Woods, visitors can find a total of 14,552 islands.
From expansive lakes to thriving canals, North America offers some of the best houseboating destinations in the world. Whether you want to spend your time fishing or need to catch some sun, a houseboat is an excellent way to enjoy your vacation.
This article is the first of a three part series to help our visitors learn about and plan houseboat vacations. When you're finished reading, please click through to the next two articles in the series:
PLANNING A HOUSEBOAT VACATION:
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT HOUSEBOAT
RENTAL FOR YOUR HOUSEBOAT VACATION
Also, visit our DESTINATIONS page to learn more!
