Lake Ouachita, near Hot Springs, Arkansas, boasts 975 miles of shoreline. This is the largest man-made lake in Arkansas and has been listed as one of the cleanest lakes in America. Many people like to bass fish but the lake offers opportunities for everything from wildlife viewing to geocaching. For those who like waterskiing, motorboats can be rented from the park marina, allowing for fun day activities. Many companies offer houseboat rentals on this lake.
Lake Ouachita
5451 Mountain Pine Road
Mountain Pine, AR 71956
arkansasstateparks.com
Don Pedro Lake, near Modesto, California, is only an hour away from Yosemite National Park. This lake is less crowded than the popular nearby Lake McClure. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Don Pedro offers sweeping views past the 160 miles of shoreline. The website provides a list of local companies renting houseboats on the lake as well as a list of regulations for privately owned houseboats. The shore offers miles of hiking and the lake allows for fishing as well as other water sports.
Don Pedro Recreation Agency
31 Bonds Flat Road
La Grange, CA 95329
209-852-2396
donpedrolake.com
Smith Mountain Lake, in southwestern Virginia, was made by damming two rivers; providing 500 miles of shoreline. With the Blue Ridge Mountains all around, this stocked lake offers great bass fishing for those who like to throw in a line. Jet skis and water skiing are allowed as well as parasailing and canoeing. There are many different outfits to rent houseboats from, all listed on the website.
Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center
800-676-8203
540-721-1203
smith-mountain-lake.com
Dale Hollow Lake, on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee, gives visitors a good alternative to nearby Cumberland Lake, which tends to be more crowded. The local houseboat-rental companies usually carry the latest models because the lake is close to the houseboat manufacturing areas of both Tennessee and Kentucky. With everything from skiing to fishing, Dale Hollow Lake was voted the No.4 Lake in the nation to "float your boat" by USA Today.
Byrdstown Pickett County Chamber of Commerce
888-406-4704
dalehollowlake.com
Lake Sidney Lanier, close to Atlanta, was constructed in the 1950s for flood protection, water supply and power production. The lake has 690 miles of shoreline, and there are 46 park areas around the lake with ramps, swimming areas, hiking trails and campgrounds. The lake also has small islands for visitors to explore. The website lists facilities charts for each park, so you can choose where best to launch or rent your houseboat.
Lake Sidney Lanier
Corps of Engineers
PO Box 567
Buford, GA 30515-0567
770-945-9531
lanier.sam.usace.army.mil
Lake Mead, near Las Vegas, is part of the Colorado River system, and the website lists all three local lakes: Mead, Powell, and Mohave. All of these lakes allow houseboating and offer rentals, and they are all popular among those who enjoy jet skiing and waterskiing. The mountains, desert and red rocks surround the lakes allowing guests to explore many different types of terrain.
River Lakes
riverlakes.com
Table Rock Lake, by Branson, Missouri, has lots of hidden coves for houseboats to explore. This lake is a nice find, because it has few powerboats, though they are still permitted. Table Rock Lake is popular among fishermen, who have battled some huge bass in its waters. With 800 miles of shoreline, the lake has plenty of room for everyone.
Table Rock Lake
tablerocklake.us
Shuswap Lake in British Columbia offers more than 300 houseboats to rent. For those who like land excursions, this lake is close to rock climbing as well as mountain biking. For those who enjoy more of a thrill, there is jet skiing, and white water rafting right nearby.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District
250-832-8194
888-248-2773
shuswap.bc.ca
Green River in southeastern Utah is beneath the Wasatch Mountains and comes together with the Colorado River. With lots of trout fishing, this area offers everything from rafting to Dinosaur National Monument. This slow-moving area of the river has the same red-rock surroundings as Lake Powell and offers mountain-bike rentals right on the shore.
Green River Utah
go-utah.com/Green-River
Center Hill Lake, near Nashville, rests on mostly federally owned land, keeping the 415 miles of shoreline relatively undeveloped. As part of the Flood Control Act of 1938, the dam keeps this lake nice and high all year. Visitors can enjoy waterskiing around the many islands created in the middle. Multiple species of fish and three waterfalls are other draws for houseboaters here.
Resource Manager's Office
158 Resource Lane
Lancaster, TN 38569-6298
931-858-3125
smithvilletn.com/lake
