In an interview with USA Today, Houseboat magazine editor Brady Kay listed Lake Ouachita among the best places to houseboat in the United States. The lake is situated within the Ouachita National Forest and is famed for its pristine waters -- declared second-cleanest in the United States by the Corps of Engineers. The lake is popular for water sports such as swimming, skiing and scuba diving as well as fishing for bream, crappie, catfish, stripers and largemouth bass. Brady Kay remarks on the scenic natural beauty of the 975 miles of shoreline.
Don Pedro is located in the foothills of of the Sierra Nevada, approximately two hours southeast of Sacramento. The 13,000-acre lake is rated as one of California's best recreational lakes and boasts hundreds of hidden coves and inlets for visitors to swim and fish in. Don Pedro is quieter than the more popular nearby Lake McClure but still offers a range of water sports including wake boarding, windsurfing, sailing or jet skiing as well as boasting a sandy beach and a swimming lagoon located next to the marina.
Smith Mountain Lake, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was also included in Brady Kay's list of the best places to houseboat. It was created by damming the Blackwater and Roanoke rivers. The lake has 500 miles of shoreline with many inlets to explore. Visitors can also enjoy the fine beach shaded by foliage and also a range of water sports. The lake is also popular with fishermen, particularly for its striped bass.
Lake Powell is one of the most popular lakes for houseboating in North America due to its stunning location within the orange-red cliff walls of Glen Canyon. Swimming and other water sports are popular on the lake, as in summer the water temperatures can rise to 70 to 80 degrees. A range of side canyons lead off the main lake, which are interesting to explore. Evenings can also be spent relaxing on one of the beaches, and more adventurous visitors can also explore the rugged trails in the area around the lake.
