Best Summer Vacations In Us For Families – Is there anything better in the world to get you in the summer mood than a family vacation at the lake?
A lake vacation combines the best aspects of a summer vacation—not just swimming, fishing, and boating, but also lazy days at the beach, chasing fireflies, and the constant smell of sunscreen and wet bathing suits.
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There are thousands of lakes in the United States, many of which are great recreation for families, but some lakes stand out from the crowd with their family-friendly atmosphere, diverse recreational opportunities, and quiet atmosphere.
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These are our favorite family lakes in the United States that are perfect for your next summer vacation.
The shores of Lake Superior are bordered by Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario, Canada, so I can only recommend visiting some random spot on this huge lake. Instead, I would recommend planning a vacation at our favorite Lake Superior park – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
At Pictured Rocks, you’ll find dramatic views, lakeside campsites and an incredible variety of wildlife, making it a great vacation spot for families who love the outdoors.
While there are plenty of rustic cabins, campgrounds, and RV parks to call home for your Lake Superior vacation, you won’t find many luxury resorts. The area has a rural charm and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it special.
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Visit the Au Sable Light Station. Take a ranger-led tour of this beautiful lighthouse built in 1874 (available every day except Mondays and Tuesdays). There are many shipwrecks along the coast, which the kids love!
Look at the journal slide. If you dare, go down (and back up) the incredibly steep dunes. This is where the gorge was, where the logs were pushed into the lake to be transported. What remains is a large mound with a beautiful view of Lake Superior.
By walking. Pictured Rocks has lots of great walks that are perfect for families. Our favorite hike was at Chapel Basin, which takes you to a beautiful waterfall and a secluded beach.
Pit tent. Or park your camper. We love camping at Twelvemile Beach Campground. The campsites are almost right on the beach and all have a beautiful view of the sea.
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Get out on the water. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore includes a beautiful shoreline with many cliffs, dunes, and rock formations, and the views of the water are incredible. Because Lake Superior can be choppy and the water cold, I recommend a guided kayak tour with an experienced paddler. The smaller lakes in this area are great for beginner anglers.
Anglers take note: Lake Superior is known around the world as a popular fishing spot. Anglers come from all over to catch salmon, trout, pike and more.
If you’re planning to go camping, we highly recommend making reservations at Twelvemile Beach, but you don’t have to pitch a tent to enjoy a family vacation on Lake Superior.
Here are some other options for staying near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
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Music Maker’s Cottage – This lovely cottage is within walking distance of the town of Grand Marais and sleeps four comfortably. It is located on the dunes near Agate Beach and only a few minutes drive from Pictured Rocks.
Waterfront Cottage in Grand Marais – For families who want to stay close to home, this adorable cottage is right on the water at the eastern edge of the Pictured Cliffs. It has four full bedrooms and comfortably sleeps seven.
Naughty Pine Lodge – This is another lake house that sleeps nine people. Located on beautiful Lake Merwin in the Pictured Rocks National Forest.
When I first saw Lake Tahoe, I thought I was dreaming. Can water really be that clear and blue?
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Lake Tahoe is incredibly beautiful, and it’s also a great place for your next family vacation. As with most of the lakes mentioned here, the best way to experience Lake Tahoe in the summer is outside—by boat, relaxing on the beach, or hiking the trails.
Explore the coast and find steep granite cliffs alongside white sandy beaches or wander inland through fragrant pine forests.
Even in summer, Lake Tahoe is deep and cold. Popular activities include kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and even naked sunbathing if you’re feeling adventurous.
Because the water is so clear, divers often discover many boats and barges resting on the bottom of the lake.
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If you want to get off the beaten path and explore the surrounding mountains, along with unparalleled views of the Tahoe Basin, consider hiking the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail.
Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, so before you pack your beach bag, you should choose a more specific destination.
On the California side of the lake are North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe – both are beautiful, but we found North Lake Tahoe to have a more family-friendly feel. You can’t go wrong with any town in North Lake Tahoe.
Truckee is about 10 minutes from the lake, but it’s so beautiful and on my short list of places to live one day!
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Kings Beach is right on the water, and since it’s on the shallower side here, it’s warm enough for swimming.
North Lake Tahoe vacation rentals include everything from primitive hostels and campgrounds to lakeside cabins and luxury resorts. Here are some places we recommend for your family vacation in North Lake Tahoe.
Camping: If you can find a spot, check out the Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City. It’s a small camp and it’s right on the lake!
Glamping: William Kent Campground is located a few miles south of Tahoe City. Yurts are a nice upgrade to camping, but still affordable!
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Value: Mother Nature’s Inn in North Lake Tahoe is a pet-friendly motel in the heart of downtown Tahoe City.
Luxury: Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge is a classic comfortable mountain retreat on the shores of Lake Tahoe. It has a private beach, a beautiful swimming pool and rooms of different sizes for small and large families.
Vacation Rentals: This lakefront home in Tahoe Vista has six bedrooms and two bathrooms, a hot tub and 100 feet of sandy beach. Worth the splurge!
I grew up on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont, so yes, I’m biased, but I think it’s a great place for all kinds of family fun adventures.
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Lake Champlain is known as America’s sixth Great Lake. Stretching 125 miles south of the Canadian border, and in the states of Vermont and New York, Lake Champlain and its surrounding communities combine rural charm with urban influences.
Lake Champlain played an important role in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the War of 1812, making it a great destination for history buffs. It also has its own lake monster, so be careful when visiting.
There are many cool family vacation spots on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain in Vermont.
Our favorite places are south or north of Burlington. Of course, if you’re more interested in an urban lake vacation, Burlington is a great destination for families with kids.
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About 45 minutes south of Burlington is Button Bay State Park for camping and they have cabins if you don’t want to rough it. We like to use Button Bay as our home base and then explore the gardens and other natural areas nearby.
Mount Philo State Park was Vermont’s first state park and is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the entire state. Mount Philo is easy enough for the kids to climb, but you can also drive to the top, which is great after a long day at the lake.
For swimming, we like Kingsland Bay State Park, which has a beautiful lounge. We cover all three state parks in our guide to camping near Burlington, Vermont.
Your other option is to drive north from Burlington and spend your vacation on the islands of Lake Champlain. This collection of islands was once part of Vermont’s inland sea, and if you know where to look, you can still find ancient remnants of marine life.
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The area is very close to the border with Quebec, Canada, so plan to have many French speakers.
This stretch of Lake Champlain is great for kayaking and canoeing, fishing and biking. It is flat and all the islands have bike paths. There are also several state parks in Vermont, including our all-time favorite state park, Burton Island, which can only be reached by passenger ferry or personal watercraft.
Camping: Grand Isle State Park is Vermont’s most popular state park. Choose between tent/camper, motorhome or motorhome sites.
Bed and Breakfast: North Hero House Inn is a family bed and breakfast in North Hero that offers a complimentary breakfast and a hot tub.
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