Must See US Lakes and Rivers

[DNIXD99]

Im planning on taking some trips with the boat this season. What would be your top places/events to visit? I prefer to be able to rent a place with a dock on the water, but Im open to anything. Lets Discuss...........

Disclaimer: I realize my trips are contingent on what happens with the virus.

Utah is high on my list (Powell and Flaming Gorge)

Red Bull Cliff Diving at Hells Gate - expecting it to get canceled
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[996scott]

lake powell is a must. Get yourself a houseboat and spend a few days exploring the lake, it's amazing.

[sandm]

powell is all that is on my boating bucket list. all the other lakes are just that... other lakes...

that said if you want accommodations in the middle of the desert with cabins, restaurant/bar, fuel and docks you can use try temple bar on mead. it's "rustic" and in the middle of nowhere but decent place to stay/eat and boat is right there. mead is big enough you won't see others if you don't want to and vegas is only 40 minutes by car.

[Isaguel]

So, we are planning a 4 day trip to Lake Powell in August/september. We are looking at staying at a houseboat for 4 days and renting an Axis for a couple of days. Spend 2 days surfing, 1 days just exploring the lake and thinking bout renting a couple SidexSIdes to do some back country exploring on the 4th day.
To those who have been there, any tips, places I must go see. Things not to do or stay away from.
We are planning on renting a Houseboat from Wahweap marina, its the Deluxe, Nomad 50 footer. Its a few miles north of Page, Az.

Would love to hear from those with experience there. Any good water side restaurants we can pull up to, fun activities? Its a family trip, Me, wifey and 2 kids. Anything to do in the town of Page?

[rockymtnsurfer]

Flaming Gorge is out of hand....its our stomping ground. Get a slip at Cedar Springs Marina.....tons of things to explore and water is about as clear as it gets. Super deep water with great cliff diving.

[UNSTUCK]

So, we are planning a 4 day trip to Lake Powell in August/september. We are looking at staying at a houseboat for 4 days and renting an Axis for a couple of days. Spend 2 days surfing, 1 days just exploring the lake and thinking bout renting a couple SidexSIdes to do some back country exploring on the 4th day.
To those who have been there, any tips, places I must go see. Things not to do or stay away from.
We are planning on renting a Houseboat from Wahweap marina, its the Deluxe, Nomad 50 footer. Its a few miles north of Page, Az.

Would love to hear from those with experience there. Any good water side restaurants we can pull up to, fun activities? Its a family trip, Me, wifey and 2 kids. Anything to do in the town of Page?


Depending on how experienced you are with a houseboat, will determine where you'll want to park it. Well for your first trip, if it was me, I'd take the Castle Rock Cut into Warm Creek Bay and park it in one of the small coves at the Northeast end. From there you can explore all over. Warm Creek also has a floating restroom which is handy. Staying close by Warm Creek Bay, I'd head over to Labyrinth Canyon. The last horseshoe bend before turning south and crossing into AZ has a really cool rock that ramps up to the top. You can see it in Google Maps satellite. You can pick how high you want to cliff jump, from 1 ft to around 35 feet, depending on water level. It's a fun, tight canyon that you have to go wakeless through. If you're feeling really adventurous head up lake to Rainbow bridge. It's about 50 miles. You dock and then walk in about 1/4 mile. It's a nice arch and worth doing.....once. If the water is rough, forget about it. Antelope Marina has a nice restaurant right on the water. You can dock and walk right in.
Stay in the middle of the waterways as much as possible to avoid rocks. Go straight from buoy to buoy. Getting too close to shore will all but guarantee prop damage. I keep people in the bow who are always watching for rocks just under the water. It can go from 400' to 10' deep in just a couple feet. Keep an eye on the weather. The wind almost always picks up in the afternoons. If it gets to rough for you duck into a small cove and wait it out. Wake up early in the mornings and enjoy the glass.

[haknslash]

If ever visiting Alabama I’d recommend either Lake Martin or Lewis Smith Lake.

Lake Martin is a large reservoir lake with plenty of places to rent along the water. All depends on how much you want to spend as there are small shack cottages to mansions. Water is clean, relatively deep with some rocky or shallow hazards. The lake is well marked to avoid hazardous areas. It’s a very active lake and can be real busy on the weekends with heavy chop in the popular areas and channel intersections. There are plenty of cuts and sloughs to find good water to surf in. Lots of amenities and marinas on the lake to get gas, eat at restaurants and around the area since it is near a college town (Auburn). Here’s some cruising at the lake https://youtu.be/4yybiyvjYb8

Lewis Smith lake is a very long winding lake. It isn’t as wide as Lake Martin and there aren’t many sloughs off the main channel so finding good clean water to surf can be challenging on the weekends in the busier areas of the lake. But it is a long lake so eventually you’ll find some water to play in. Rentals are more rustic and harder to find than say Lake Martin. Amenities are not as vast as Martin either. Water is very deep and some of the clearest in the country. Since the lake is so long the scenery along the shoreline changes from steep rocky cliffs to thick forests as it butts along the Bankhead National Forest. Here’s one cruising of the lake https://youtu.be/7xLLWb3wn6s

Of the two I prefer Lake Martin for its amenities, rental options and large clean waters and that is why we store our boat there. Both are must see lakes if traveling through the state and wanting to see what they offer. They are different looking lakes but equally beautiful.

[Zog]

Depending on how experienced you are with a houseboat, will determine where you'll want to park it. Well for your first trip, if it was me, I'd take the Castle Rock Cut into Warm Creek Bay and park it in one of the small coves at the Northeast end. From there you can explore all over. Warm Creek also has a floating restroom which is handy. Staying close by Warm Creek Bay, I'd head over to Labyrinth Canyon. The last horseshoe bend before turning south and crossing into AZ has a really cool rock that ramps up to the top. You can see it in Google Maps satellite. You can pick how high you want to cliff jump, from 1 ft to around 35 feet, depending on water level. It's a fun, tight canyon that you have to go wakeless through. If you're feeling really adventurous head up lake to Rainbow bridge. It's about 50 miles. You dock and then walk in about 1/4 mile. It's a nice arch and worth doing.....once. If the water is rough, forget about it. Antelope Marina has a nice restaurant right on the water. You can dock and walk right in.
Stay in the middle of the waterways as much as possible to avoid rocks. Go straight from buoy to buoy. Getting too close to shore will all but guarantee prop damage. I keep people in the bow who are always watching for rocks just under the water. It can go from 400' to 10' deep in just a couple feet. Keep an eye on the weather. The wind almost always picks up in the afternoons. If it gets to rough for you duck into a small cove and wait it out. Wake up early in the mornings and enjoy the glass.

The Castle Rock Cut is not likely to open this year, which will add about 12 miles to your trips out of Wahweap. If you rent out of Antelope Point, you would be able to reduce the trip up lake. As you explore, it is very important to have an understanding of what the water is like ahead, since there are many submerged rocks and ridges that will make live very interesting for anyone who hits it and are not likely to be well marked. Use the Navionics Boating app to download maps that are adjustable to the current water level. Also, wind tends to pick up in the afternoons for an hour or two, which can result in scary boating conditions, so make sure you know what to expect and it is wise to wait things out in a a good canyon where things will be calmer for a bit.

I spend most of my time in Lake Powell on the north end of the lake, but my brother in law loves the south end and enjoys Rainbow Bridge, Reflection Canyon, Gunsite, Padre Bay, and others. If you are really adventurous, the Escalante arm is amazing as well with Cathedral of the Desert and Davis Gulch noteworthy sites, but you will need to make sure you have sufficient fuel by getting some gas at Dangling Rope Marina on the way up and back.

[Bigs28]

Norris, rent a houseboat.

I like havasu as well but haven't been there in 20+ years so no clue what it's like now.

I live in Florida now so unfortunately I don't get out west anymore for anything other then snowboarding. Nothing special here.

[jph3]

Maybe start in Havasu, then go up the CO River... Mohave, Mead, Powell. Would be a great run for sure!

[larry_arizona]

I am visiting Norris this summer. I am sure this could easily become an annual trip.

I have also looked at lake of the Ozarks, does anyone have feedback? Mostly because I like the show Ozark, but realize it’s filmed in Georgia at lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier.


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[Isaguel]

I am visiting Norris this summer. I am sure this could easily become an annual trip.

I have also looked at lake of the Ozarks, does anyone have feedback? Mostly because I like the show Ozark, but realize it’s filmed in Georgia at lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier.


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We're also fans of the Ozarks show and thought about taking a trip there. My wife did the research and she found articles and comments regarding the quality of the water there. Apparently, being surrounded by homes there is a good bit of sewage that empties into the lake. Some article even mentioned swimming was not recommended during high season. I'd look further into it if I were you. We had a similar problem in one of the local chain of lakes, in Richmond, about 25 mins west of us. Locals would not even eat fish from there or swim. It has been improving in recent years with city ordinances that require any home upgrades include modern sewage management systems and many home owners have switched over. Apparently a very expensive thing to do but people are willing to foot the expense in order to preserve their property value.

[larry_arizona]

We're also fans of the Ozarks show and thought about taking a trip there. My wife did the research and she found articles and comments regarding the quality of the water there. Apparently, being surrounded by homes there is a good bit of sewage that empties into the lake. Some article even mentioned swimming was not recommended during high season. I'd look further into it if I were you. We had a similar problem in one of the local chain of lakes, in Richmond, about 25 mins west of us. Locals would not even eat fish from there or swim. It has been improving in recent years with city ordinances that require any home upgrades include modern sewage management systems and many home owners have switched over. Apparently a very expensive thing to do but people are willing to foot the expense in order to preserve their property value.

Ha!!! Lake of the Ozarks off the list lol.

Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow, Cherokee lake all look interesting.

I can tell you Torch Lake in Michigan has the most gorgeous Caribbean blue water I have seen in an inland lake.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210316/9a5b26ecdc2ac11fbd5640eea994a3f4.jpg
The sandbar is insane there. It’s a big lake and can get choppy, but so many luxury boats.


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[sandm]

We're also fans of the Ozarks show and thought about taking a trip there. My wife did the research and she found articles and comments regarding the quality of the water there. Apparently, being surrounded by homes there is a good bit of sewage that empties into the lake. Some article even mentioned swimming was not recommended during high season. I'd look further into it if I were you. We had a similar problem in one of the local chain of lakes, in Richmond, about 25 mins west of us. Locals would not even eat fish from there or swim. It has been improving in recent years with city ordinances that require any home upgrades include modern sewage management systems and many home owners have switched over. Apparently a very expensive thing to do but people are willing to foot the expense in order to preserve their property value.

sounds like the entire fox river dumping into the bay of green bay and ultimately lake michigan. there are many signs on each boat launch detailing how much fish an average adult male can eat per week/month. it's part of the us superfund cleanup project from all the paper mills. parts of that river we didn't swim in but parts we did as it's what was there...

[MLA]

Lake Jocassee on the NC/SC line. Almost no development. its a handful of rivers coming together in a mountain valley to feed a manmade lake. There are a few boat-up waterfalls around the lake as well as dozens of other falls within an hour or so drive from the lake.

[Isaguel]

Wow, that Torch lake looks amazing.
Is the Torch lake you're referring to immediately west of lake Michigan next to Grand Traverse Bay?

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[larry_arizona]

Wow, that Torch lake looks amazing.
Is the Torch lake you're referring to immediately west of lake Michigan next to Grand Traverse Bay?

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Yes, that’s it.

Several lakes in that area are crystal clear like torch.

Elk lake and Crystal lake are similar.

Glen lake is also close and has the most unique turquoise water.


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[SONIC]

What's the water temp up that far north?

[larry_arizona]

By July it’s high 70’s low 80’s water temp.

4th of July, Torch has a massive sandbar party. Water is plenty warm by then.

I has a cottage on a lake in same area for 18 years and June water temps are 70+, may was chilly and we used shorty wetsuits.


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[SONIC]

Awesome I would have expected it to be colder than that. I'll add it to the list!

[larry_arizona]

Northern lower peninsula has hot summers too.

Only cautions are these big glacier cut lakes are they can get choppy due to wind.

Torch also gets some BIG luxury cruiser boats on it. It’s a very affluent area.


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[Swervy]

We had a similar problem in one of the local chain of lakes, in Richmond, about 25 mins west of us. Locals would not even eat fish from there or swim.

Are you referring to the Horseshoe Chain?

[Tahoeken]

Might be a long drive but you may want to try Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border. Beautiful high mountain (~6200 ft) lake. Deep blue and emerald waters. Visibility down to 40ft. Huge granite boulders with sandy bottom. Water temp in July is usually around 68 deg. It is a huge lake and will get quite choppy staring in the afternoon when the typical winds pick up. Lots to do outside of the lake as well especially if you like hiking. One of my favorite places in the world.

[Isaguel]

Are you referring to the Horseshoe Chain?

Yep. As I said, I've heard its gotten better for several years now. Many of the cabins/homes on the lake are multigenerational with antiquated sewage systems that seeped into the lake but have gradually been updated to modern codes. Also apparently farm runoff. COL is listed as one of the bodies of water that does not meet quality standards on the MPCA and is considered an "impaired body of water". Here is a link to the last Mn DNR TDML report. You can scroll down to the executive summary and plan for improvement. The report does mention the body of water has seen significant improvement in the last 25 years. It describes the last TDML report in 2009, since apparently several mitigation plans implemented to reduce mainly non-point (farm runnoff) pollutants.

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/sauk-river-horseshoe-chain-lakes-excessive-nutrients-tmdl-project

This is the actual TDML report:

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw8-38b.pdf

[Guppydriver]

Flaming Gorge is out of hand....its our stomping ground. Get a slip at Cedar Springs Marina.....tons of things to explore and water is about as clear as it gets. Super deep water with great cliff diving.

Where do you stay when you are there? We are planning a trip this summer. I heard there is a cool "boat in" campground, but not sure we are at that level yet.

[Isaguel]

The Castle Rock Cut is not likely to open this year, which will add about 12 miles to your trips out of Wahweap. If you rent out of Antelope Point, you would be able to reduce the trip up lake. As you explore, it is very important to have an understanding of what the water is like ahead, since there are many submerged rocks and ridges that will make live very interesting for anyone who hits it and are not likely to be well marked. Use the Navionics Boating app to download maps that are adjustable to the current water level. Also, wind tends to pick up in the afternoons for an hour or two, which can result in scary boating conditions, so make sure you know what to expect and it is wise to wait things out in a a good canyon where things will be calmer for a bit.

I spend most of my time in Lake Powell on the north end of the lake, but my brother in law loves the south end and enjoys Rainbow Bridge, Reflection Canyon, Gunsite, Padre Bay, and others. If you are really adventurous, the Escalante arm is amazing as well with Cathedral of the Desert and Davis Gulch noteworthy sites, but you will need to make sure you have sufficient fuel by getting some gas at Dangling Rope Marina on the way up and back.

That is all great info. Thanks. I'm going to go on the Navionics map to see if I can find all these landmarks and sites you guys mentioned. They're not on google maps.

[Isaguel]

Depending on how experienced you are with a houseboat, will determine where you'll want to park it. Well for your first trip, if it was me, I'd take the Castle Rock Cut into Warm Creek Bay and park it in one of the small coves at the Northeast end. From there you can explore all over. Warm Creek also has a floating restroom which is handy. Staying close by Warm Creek Bay, I'd head over to Labyrinth Canyon. The last horseshoe bend before turning south and crossing into AZ has a really cool rock that ramps up to the top. You can see it in Google Maps satellite. You can pick how high you want to cliff jump, from 1 ft to around 35 feet, depending on water level. It's a fun, tight canyon that you have to go wakeless through. If you're feeling really adventurous head up lake to Rainbow bridge. It's about 50 miles. You dock and then walk in about 1/4 mile. It's a nice arch and worth doing.....once. If the water is rough, forget about it. Antelope Marina has a nice restaurant right on the water. You can dock and walk right in.
Stay in the middle of the waterways as much as possible to avoid rocks. Go straight from buoy to buoy. Getting too close to shore will all but guarantee prop damage. I keep people in the bow who are always watching for rocks just under the water. It can go from 400' to 10' deep in just a couple feet. Keep an eye on the weather. The wind almost always picks up in the afternoons. If it gets to rough for you duck into a small cove and wait it out. Wake up early in the mornings and enjoy the glass.

Thanks for the info. Any good map sources that have all these sites you mention marked?. Looked in Google maps and Navionics and not there.

[Zog]

Thanks for the info. Any good map sources that have all these sites you mention marked?. Looked in Google maps and Navionics and not there.

The gold standard for Lake Powell point of interest maps is here:
https://boatersoutlet.com/stan-jones-lake-powell-map-laminated/

However, there are many maps online that can help you find these points of interest, including the official park service map.

[UNSTUCK]

Zog posed the one I use, but mine is not laminated. I just grabbed it from a marine store in Page a while back and it has served me well. I'd really like to upload the GPS mapping of the lake to show on my screen. Almost lost my hand held map in the wind a few times.

If you are interested in Escalante arm section, verify your map includes it. Some of the more popular ones do not include it.