American Lake Hotels

There’s really nothing that compares to swimming in a lake or pond—that squeaky-clean, refreshed feeling emerging from cool, unsalted water. Not to mention all the atmospheric details that surround lake life in (an admittedly North American) summer: running and jumping off a dock, the splash of canoe paddles, reading an actual book in Adirondack chairs (far beyond the Adirondacks!), games of hearts and canasta, stories around a crackling campfire, and catching a firefly or two. 

Since not everyone is lucky enough to have a lake “cottage” or “cabin” (diminutives for structures that often sleep 14) that’s been in their family for generations, we wanted to track down the hotels, inns and lodges that come closest to replicating this nostalgic feeling. Which is why we drew some parameters around our search, focusing on cooler areas with a longstanding freshwater lake culture in summer—from the Maine woods and Adirondacks camps to midwestern Great Lakes and boundary waters, to Tahoe’s boating traditions and the large-scale scenery of the western National Parks… plus a smattering in between. After our usual shake-down of our friends who are lake people and deep internet research/diving, we’re so excited about this list of bodies of freshwater and places to stay on them. Many of which are quite affordable and still have availability. Everybody into the lake! —Team Yolo 

NORTHEAST