Float on the Best Boating Lakes in America

From sailboating to fishing to kayaking to competitive racing events, 87 million people take part in recreational boating each year in America. Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan have the highest number of boaters, likely because there are so many lakes and waterways in those states. From one coast to the other and dozens of points in-between, America has some of the best boating lakes in the world, and some are in places you’d never suspect.

01Shasta Lake, California

Just 10 miles north of Redding, Shasta Lake, AKA Lake Shasta, is a beautifully scenic and peaceful lake. With its 365 miles of mountainous shoreline, it’s the largest manmade lake in the Golden State. Both the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area surround the lake, creating an abundance of activities on and off the water. There are several full-service marinas here for boat owners, plus visitors can rent kayaks, wakeboards, and other water vessels. Boating enthusiasts will find excellent fishing here and can easily access the many picturesque waterfalls around the lake.