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| Before you head out to the lake, check out the water sports gear at Bass Pro Shops. |
During the Dog Days of Summer, the only thing better than being in a boat is being towed by one. The freedom of skipping across a placid lake, cool wind blowing in your hair, and the thrill of adventure is exhilarating.
Whether you want to water ski or wakeboard, kneeboard or ride a towable tube, here are five beautiful bodies of water in the U.S., organized by region, to make the most of your time in the sun and on the water.
Northeast
1. Lake Winnipesaukee—N.H.
Known for its calm waters, this lake is popular among water skiers. At 72-square miles and with an average depth of 43 feet, it’s the state’s largest lake—the third largest in New England— and among the most beautiful: It’s surrounded by no fewer than 3 mountain ranges.
Southeast
2. Trophy Lakes—S.C.
There are lakes that happen to be good for water sports, and then there are lakes that are made for water sports. Trophy Lakes, a private lake 5 miles from Charleston, is made for water sports—literally: In 1988, water skiers Kim Bryant and Alan Sanner had the lake built specifically for skiing enthusiasts.
With an average depth of 10 feet and spanning more than 2,000 feet, the two lakes are ideal for beginning wakeboarders, skiers and tubers, as well as seasoned pros (according to the site, 21 world records have been set at the lake). Group rentals are around $125 an hour.
Midwest
3. Lake Cumberland—Kentucky
This reservoir, located approximately 2 hours south of Louisville, spans six counties, and stretches across more than 65,000 acres, making it one of the top ten largest man-made lakes in the country. It’s the perfect destination for your next excursion on the water.
Southwest
4. Lake Powell—Utah
Imagine yourself gliding across glassy waters while plowing past towering amber rock formations in a reservoir of the Colorado River. Or, make your imagination a reality and join the roughly 2 million people each year who visit this “aquatic playground” between the border of Utah and Arizona.
Known worldwide as one of the best spots for getting up on a pair of skis, Lake Powell features four well known bays ideal for carving a wake (Warm Creek Bay, Padre Bay, Rock Creek Bay, Halls Creek Bay). Behind Lake Mead, it’s also known as the second largest man-made reservoir in the U.S., checking in at more than 162,000 acres.
West
5. Big Bear Lake—California
Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, this picturesque Southern California snow-fed lake is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts (although because of cold water temperatures, swimming is discouraged). Big Bear Marina and Big Bear Wakeboard Cable Park are great local places to start your water sport adventure. It measures a maximum of 72-feet deep, and is 7 miles long.
If you love water activites, Bass Pro Shops has all the water sports gear you'll need for getting out on the deep blue water. Here are more lakes mentioned on the web in the U.S.
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