Best places to enjoy vacations in lake houses

Best places to enjoy vacations in lake houses

One of America’s favorite pastimes is splashing around in a lake next to a house rental, and enjoying the myriad of activities that come with it. Whether you’re looking for a quiet lakeside cottage in a leafy forest in the Pacific Northwest or a Southern mansion in which to fire up a nice BBQ dinner, you will find it in this vast land. With a wide range of lake houses to choose from, you can be sure to book a vacation that you’ll never forget.

East Coast lake house rentals

The East Coast caters brilliantly for outdoor lovers, history enthusiasts, and city dwellers alike. Flanked by teeming metropolises like New York City and Washington, D.C., the entire region has a fascinating appeal, while the grand Appalachian Mountains make up the backbone of the natural landscape. The coast is a dazzling experience for the senses, offering an array of delectable cuisines, mind-blowing culture, and forests blazing with color when leaves are in their prime in fall. From a luxury lake house rental in the mountains to a budget option near beaches, you’ll find a wide selection of vacation rentals to call home.

Holiday homes in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Tucked away in Western Maryland, you’ll find Deep Creek Lake, an idyllic spot for swimming and fishing, as well as hiking or biking the numerous trails at Deep Creek Lake State Park. Book a cozy wooden cabin and take in the millions of twinkling stars at night by the fire, or challenge your friends and family to a round of ping pong in the game room. A fully equipped kitchen is useful for preparing the day’s catch, followed by a dip in a hot tub after a day of skiing at Wisp Resort. Jump into the cool lake from the private dock of your lakehouse rental, and, if allowed, be sure to bring Fido alongódogs are, after all, a part of the family.

Cabin rentals in Lake Placid, New York

Boats docked on a lake at sunset

Set in the Adirondack Mountains is Lake Placid, an idyllic resort town that has twice hosted the Winter Olympic games. Breathing in some of the freshest air from your cottage rental, you can explore the picturesque hiking trails as the wildflowers bloom in the spring or when the leaves are ablaze with vibrant colors in the fall. The summers are nice and mild, and in the winter, the lake freezes enough for you to skate like an Olympian. Treat yourself to a massage in this spa town, or go out for a hearty meal in one of the restaurants before winding down in the hot tub of your vacation rental.

Vacation lake homes for rent in the South

The iconic American South has a rich history, country and blues music, folk art, literature, landscapes, and even a distinguished accent to swoon over. Immerse yourself in Southern hospitality with a private chef at your restored 19th-century Creole cottage while brushing up on Civil War history, or explore the great landscape through which the grand Mississippi River runs. Basking in Southern charm, there’s so much fun to be had here from your lake house rental that you may never want to leave.

Luxury vacation rentals in Lake Martin, Alabama

With 44,000 acres of sparkling water, Lake Martin is sure to please water sports enthusiasts with plenty of swimming and boating opportunities from your vacation rental. Treat yourself to a luxury lake house with perks such as a hot tub, a spacious kitchen, or a screened porch, plus a private dock from which to launch your boat for an all-day aquatic excursion. Rent a cozy lakeside cabin, and, from the back deck, you might be lucky to spot a bald eagle soaring above the water. Family-friendly activities on land include a trip to scenic Wind Creek State Park, concerts at the amphitheater, or a visit to one of the many islands in the lake. Before you know it, you’ll be singing “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Lake house rentals in Lake Lure, North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Lake Lure, one of the most beautiful lakes in the South, where the likes of Forrest Gump and Dirty Dancing were once filmed. Rent a magnificent private townhome by the lake while enjoying morning coffee and the expansive lake and mountain views. Enjoy a stroll along the lake’s boardwalk and cross the Flowering Bridge, or hike in one of the many trails at Chimney Rock Park. You can even take in panoramic views from the top of the namesake granite monolith. Let the beaches “lure” you into having a picnic from your lake cottage rental, or take a swim in the cool, clear waters from a private dock.

Vacation rentals by lakes in the Pacific Northwest

A dock overlooking a blue lake with mountains and houses on either side

The Pacific Northwest is well-known for its great coffee, gorgeous coastlines, and misty Cascade mountains, plus lush forests with pristine lakes. Rumored to have plentiful rainfall and mild summers, the region also features the desert countryside, as well as orchards and wine country in the Yakima Valley. Whether you’re a land-dweller or a water-sports lover, you can be rest assured there’s no shortage of outdoor activities both on the land and the lakesóbut remember to bring a raincoat.

Cottage rentals in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

Resting on Idaho’s panhandle is Lake Pend Oreille, backed by dense evergreen forests and mountains. Carved out by glaciers, this ear-shaped lake stretches for 43 miles and is Idaho’s largest. Book a stylish lakeside condo featuring a balcony with sweeping lake and mountain views, or show off your cooking prowess in a rustic log cabin kitchen after fishing for the day’s catch. Jump off the private dock of your lake house rental into the splendid waters, relax on the beach, launch a boat and explore the lake, or try the restaurants and shops of the lake’s city of Sandpoint.

Homes for rent in Lake Chelan

Lake Chelanóonce the largest natural lake in Washington Stateóis set in wine country. Serving as the gateway to the high mountains of North Cascades National Park, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to choose from your lake house vacation rental, whether it’s fishing for trout, swimming in the cool waters, exploring the many available hiking trailsóor moseying around the lakeside community at the opposite end of the lake with its quaint shops and restaurants. With so many vacation rentals to choose from, anyone with a love of wine and adventure will find their hearts desire here.