Lakes
8 Scenic Lake Drives in the US, Checked Against Official Pages
Eight scenic lake drives from Lake Superior to Crater Lake, compared on length, drive time, fees and winter closures from official pages. Checked November 2026.
10 min read
Lakes
Explore the beauty and wonder of lakes with our blog category dedicated to all things lake-related. From lakefront living and recreational activities to conservation and preservation efforts, our articles cover a wide range of topics for those who love lakes and all they have to offer
Start with these lake guides
Use this lake hub to move from broad lake research into practical guides for clean water, lake science, trip planning, safety, and maintenance.
Reader goalRecommended guide
Find clear, scenic lakesclearest lakes in Michigan
Understand lake formationhow man-made lakes are created
Plan around water movementwhat causes whirlpools in water
Improve lake water qualityhow to get rid of lake weeds and muck
Popular lake planning guides
dog-friendly beaches in Lake Tahoe for beach access and pet-friendly trip planning.
things to do at Lake Wallenpaupack for activity ideas around a major Pennsylvania lake.
camping at Lake Jocassee for turning lake research into an overnight trip.
Lake safety and water-quality guides
blue-green algae in lakes for spotting bloom warnings and knowing when to stay out.
how to know if a lake is safe to swim in for checking advisories, weather, clarity, and hazards.
lake water clarity for understanding clear, green, brown, and blue lake water.
Lake Kachess Planning Guides
Great Lakes Planning Guides
Use these source-first guides with current local notices and official managers.
- Why Are the Great Lakes Freshwater?
- Which Great Lake Is Deepest? Depth and Volume Compared
- Great Lakes Water Levels: How They Change and Where to Check
- Great Lakes Swimming Safety: Currents, Cold Water and Flags
Live water data and advisory guides
Use these guides to verify current lake conditions through the agency responsible for the exact waterbody and activity.
- How to Read a Lake Water Quality Report
- How to Check Harmful Algal Bloom Alerts in Your State
- How to Find Live Lake Water Temperature Data
- How to Check Lake Levels Before a Trip
- How to Read a Beach Advisory or Closure Notice
Alligator safety at lakes
Use these practical guides to verify habitat, keep people and pets at a safe distance, and report concerning behavior through the responsible wildlife agency.
102 guides
Lakes
Presque Isle State Park: Beaches and Camping Nearby
Presque Isle is a free, day-use state park on Lake Erie near Erie, Pennsylvania. Here are the beaches, swim rules, boat launches and campgrounds nearby.
8 min read
Lakes
Caddo Lake Guide: Camping and Kayaking
Caddo Lake is a cypress-swamp lake on the Texas-Louisiana border. Here are the camping fees, canoe rentals, paddling trails, wildlife warnings and fishing limits.
7 min read
Lakes
Lake Lewisville Guide: Swimming, Camping and Alligators
Lake Lewisville is a big Corps of Engineers reservoir in Denton County. Here is where to swim, camp and launch, what we found on alligators, and the fishing limits.
7 min read
Lakes
Grapevine Lake Guide: Camping, Swimming and Fishing
Grapevine Lake sits between Dallas and Fort Worth. Here are the camping options, swim areas, boat ramps, trails, fishing limits and zebra mussel rules.
6 min read
Lakes
Arizona Lake Fees, Passes and Boating Rules by Lake
Entry fees, passes, ramp closures and boating rules for 16 Arizona lakes, from Lake Mead and Powell to Tonto reservoirs and high-country trout lakes, checked in November 2026.
9 min read
Lakes
Lake Weed Removal: Methods, Permits and Limits
Removing lake weeds is often regulated, and the plants usually grow back. This guide compares hand pulling, harvesting, barriers, drawdown and herbicides, with real permit rules from three states.
8 min read
Lakes
Lake Muck Removal: Dredging, Aeration and Bacteria Compared
Only dredging reliably removes lake muck. Raking, pumping and blowers work on small areas, and the evidence for aeration and bacteria products is thin. Here is how each option compares.
9 min read
Lakes
Whirlpools in Lakes and Rivers: Where They Form and How to Stay Safe
Calm lakes rarely have whirlpools. They form where water is forced to turn: at dams, spillways, river bends, confluences and obstacles. Here is where to look and how to stay clear.
6 min read
Lakes
Dogs Near Alligator Lakes: A Safety Checklist
Quick answer: Keep dogs on a short, non-retractable leash and well away from the water edge in alligator habitat. Do not allow a dog to swim, drink from the…
9 min read
Lakes
What to Do If You See an Alligator While Boating
Quick answer: If you see an alligator while boating, keep everyone inside and under control, do not feed or approach it, and let the operator create distance…
9 min read
Lakes
How to Check Whether Alligators Live in a Lake
Quick answer: To check whether alligators may live in a lake, start with the American alligator range and the responsible state wildlife agency, then identify…
9 min read