The days getting shorter and air becoming (a tiny bit) cooler are reminders that summer is starting to fade. Before it slips away entirely and your attention turns to pumpkin patches and leaf peeping, head to one of these six underrated lakes for a final day of fun in the sun.
Bear Lake, Utah
Boaters love spending the day at Bear Lake
A "crystalline" lake on the Idaho-Utah border, Bear Lake's gorgeous blue hue has earned it the nickname "Caribbean of the Rockies," said Lonely Planet. Visitors can go boating, jet skiing, fishing, camping and hiking at one of the lake's three recreation areas. There are also sandy beaches to lounge on when you just want to gaze out at the water.
Cave Run Lake, Kentucky
Cave Run Lake is a playground for water enthusiasts
The lush Daniel Boone National Forest envelopes Cave Run Lake, a "dream destination" for boaters, kayakers and "anglers hunting muskellunge," said Outside. Hikers and bikers can stay busy on the hundreds of miles of trails that surround the lake, while bird watchers will appreciate the opportunities to spot ospreys and eagles.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cayuga Lake, New York
Taughannock Falls by Cayuga Lake is a showstopper
The longest of the Finger Lakes, this is an "underrated treasure" among "endlessly captivating bodies of water," National Geographic said. Go kayaking or canoeing off of Myers Park and Taughannock Falls State Park, drive the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway for excellent lake, woods and waterfall views, and carve out time to visit one of the many wineries nearby.
Convict Lake, California
Convict Lake sits in a gorgeous part of the Sierra Nevadas
There are no prisoners here, just deer, aspens and beautiful mountain views. Picturesque Convict Lake is "perfect" for electric boating (the only type allowed), swimming and trout fishing, said SFGate. Photographers should also bring their gear and snap as many pictures as possible of the scenery, like stunning Laurel Mountain and its reflection in the lake's "vivid" cerulean water.
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
Lake Ouachita has nearly 700 miles of shoreline
This is the largest lake in Arkansas, and the "refreshing" lack of development by it means the area still feels "wild and untouched," Outside said. Spend the day here spearfishing, scuba diving or kayaking on the Geo-Float Trail, an aquatic interpretive trail with 12 exploration zones spotlighting the lake's "unique geological formations."
Torch Lake, Michigan
The water and sand at Torch Lake is reminiscent of the Caribbean
Swimming, snorkeling and fishing are some of the activities that bring adventurers to Torch Lake's "dazzling" turquoise waters, Travel and Leisure said. Its glacial origins give the lake its "striking" color and clarity, with visibility of up to 30 feet. A natural gathering spot is the "iconic" Torch Lake Sandbar on the southern tip of the lake, a "serene" stretch of white sand.
-
Democrats might be ready for a shutdown. What do they want?Today’s Big Question A ‘hardened approach’ against Trump
-
6 low-effort, highest-yield cocktails to make this fallThe Week Recommends Ready for your margarita to reach for the coconut?
-
‘Our strategy draws on this forgotten authority’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
6 low-effort, highest-yield cocktails to make this fall
The Week Recommends Ready for your margarita to reach for the coconut?
-
8 riveting museum exhibitions on view in the fall — and well into 2026The Week Recommends See Winslow Homer rarities and Black art reimagined
-
10 concert tours to see this fallThe Week Recommends Concert tour season isn't over. Check out these headliners.
-
Video games to curl up with this fall, including Ghost of Yotei and LEGO PartyThe Week Recommends Several highly anticipated video games are coming this fall
-
10 upcoming albums to stream during spooky seasonThe Week Recommends As fall arrives, check out new albums from Taylor Swift, Jeff Tweedy, the Lemonheads and more
-
A Spinal Tap reunion, Thomas Pynchon by way of Paul Thomas Anderson and a harrowing Stephen King adaptation in September moviesthe week recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Spinal Tap II,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘The Long Walk’
-
Don't fly by the seat of your pants. Do it the healthy way with these airborne tips.The Week Recommends Yes to stretching. Even more yesses to hydration.
-
'The Office' spinoff, a 'Mare of Easttown' follow-up and the Guinness family royalty in September TVthe week recommends This month's new television releases include 'The Paper,' 'Task' and 'House of Guinness'
