80 Best Small Lake Towns in the U.S.

Lake life is rich with simple pleasures. Summer entices with boating, swimming and various water sports. Year-round fishing brings anglers from all over to enjoy the bounty. Hiking trails provide an active escape into the wilderness, with lake views in the distance. 

But it’s the small towns situated along these majestic lakes that deserve attention. Rustic cabins, swanky resorts, down-home dining, elevated cuisine, bustling breweries and historic downtowns thriving with art galleries, antique shops and boutiques add culture and dimension to the bodies of water nearby. 

We rounded up 80 small lake towns with populations of 20,000 or less for you to enjoy the beauty and peace you’re looking for in one of the thousands of lakes across the United States.

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Population: 17,470

Where to stay: Best Western Plus Oswego Hotel And Conference Center 

Best time to visit: Summer brings with it a number of cool outdoor festivals where you’ll enjoy good food, live music and friendly sports.

*All population numbers come from the latest census records.

Oswego’s location at the meeting point of Lake Ontario and Oswego River makes it perfect for those who love the water. You’ll be able to enjoy both river and lake activities as well as pretty mountain scenery. 

The town is also pretty on its own and has a surprisingly diverse dining scene that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a town with less than 20,000 people.

Population: 17,122

Where to stay: Wahiawa apartment

Best time to visit: April to October is the dry season in Hawaii, so if you want to avoid heavy rains, this is the best time to go.

Hawaii is known more for its beaches than its lakes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a lake vacation in the beautiful state. 

Smack dab in the middle of Oahu, Wahiawa is graced with its namesake reservoir. This is one of the few lakes in the state where you are allowed to fish, though be prepared to release anything you catch. The lake is very peaceful since it’s mostly reserved for recreational fishing, which means that you won’t have to worry about screaming tourists driving your catch away. 

Wahiawa also provides the opportunity to experience a different side of Hawaii — one that is closer to the mountains than to the beach. Of course, the beach is always a short drive away.