Two Washington state spots named among 11 best lakes to visit in America

Washingtonians looking for fun on the water this summer don’t have to go very far, according to a new list of best U.S. lakes from Lonely Planet.

Earlier this week, the travel publication released its list of the 11 best lakes in the U.S. to visit in summer 2025, with two Washington spots making the cut: Lake Chelan and Lake Washington.

Lake Chelan among best lakes in America

Lake Chelan is a narrow, 50-mile long lake in north-central Washington, surrounded by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

It earned mention for its access to nature and outdoor recreation options. Between Lake Chelan State Park and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, the area has several spots for camping or accessing the water.

In addition to boating and watersports, the forests around the lake offer plenty of hiking and mountain biking. If you’re looking to get off your feet, the surrounding area is known for its wines. You can find wineries, restaurants, and a water park in Chelan, the town on the southern end of the lake.

Chelan is a three-and-a-half to four-hour drive from western Washington locations like Bellingham, Tacoma and Olympia. It’s about 3 hours north of Tri-Cities. You can also visit Stehekin, located on the northern end of the lake, although it isn’t accessible by car and there is no cell phone service – visitors can reach it by ferry.

Lake Washington among top lakes to visit

Washington’s other entry on the best lakes list is easier to access – it’s located in Seattle. Lake Washington, which separates Seattle from its eastern suburbs, was the only lake on the list surrounded almost entirely by city.

The urban setting wasn’t a problem for Lonely Planet’s editors, though. In fact, it’s a large part of the reason the lake made the list. The outlet recommended Lake Washington for its mix of nature and city. Visitors can go for a swim, take a boat on the water or visit Madison Beach without leaving the city.

Other top lakes to visit

The two Washington lakes were the only Pacific Northwest spots to make the list, although three other lakes in the western U.S. were included: Bear Lake on the Utah-Idaho border, Colorado’s Grand Lake and Lake Powell on the border between Utah and Arizona.

Here’s the entire list:

• Bear Lake - Utah and Idaho

• Lake Champlain - Vermont and New York

• Lake George - New York

• Cayuga Lake - New York

• Lake Michigan - Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana

• Lake Chelan - Washington

• Lake Washington - Washington

• Grand Lake - Colorado

• Lake Powell - Utah and Arizona

• Table Rock Lake - Missouri and Arkansas

• Lake Martin - Alabama

This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.