The best place to be in the summer is lakeside. The calm waters provide an abundance of things to do and enjoy. Swimming, fishing, boating, or just hanging out on the shore are all the perfect activities for a sunny day and are hard to surpass in how fun and easy they are to do. North Dakota is full of plenty of lakes you can visit, and here are 9 of them.

  1. East Arroda Lake

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr This beautiful spot is in Oliver County and provides an excellent spot for fishing and boating. The area is simply gorgeous all summer long.

  1. Des Moines Lake

Andrew Filer/Flickr This lovely lake is the perfect spot for some lakeside lounging as well as some fun on the water. There are a couple of lakes nearby as well, so your possibilities are endless in this area. Des Moines Lake is located in Kidder County about 30 miles from Carrington.

  1. Powers Lake

Andrew Filer/Flickr The town of Powers Lake, North Dakota, is right on the banks of Powers Lake. The lake is an optimal spot for all kinds of summer fun, so get out there and enjoy what it has to offer.

  1. Lake Metigoshe

USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr Nestled in the Turtle Mountains, Lake Metigoshe is an absolutely breathtaking spot that is perfect for a stroll or setting out on the beautiful blue waters in a canoe and just enjoying nature and the warm weather. You won’t find many places more serene than here, and the environment is picture worthy year round.

  1. Rice Lake

Andrew Filer/Flickr Rice Lake, near Minot, is a great summer destination for anyone who loves being around water. Swimming, fishing, boating - you name it, this lake is there for. Hang out with family and friends there all day and enjoy a sunset over Rice Lake to complete a perfect summer evening.

  1. Des Lacs Lake

USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr Des Lacs Lake is home to a wildlife refuge as well as recreational areas. These help provide the perfect lake environment for everyone to enjoy. Hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop on their migration to this lake every year and plenty of other wildlife can be seen. Head out to Kenmare, North Dakota and take a visit to Des Lacs Lake and experience it for yourself.

  1. Larimore Dam

wespeck/Flickr Take a weekend trip and camp at this spectacular lake formed from the Larimore Dam. Bring a canoe or kayak and take an early morning adventure across the lake, or just have a picnic lakeside on a pleasant day. There are so many possibilities here to make some awesome summer memories!

  1. Lake Sakakawea

NDPRD/Flickr North Dakota’s largest body of water is one of the top destinations for everything you can enjoy when it comes to seasonal lake fun. Whether you have a sailboat, pontoon, canoe, speedboat, or prefer to experience the shore or take a plunge into the water for a swim, you are guaranteed to have a good time here.

  1. Devils Lake

NDPRD/Flickr Devils Lake is the largest natural lake in North Dakota and is the best spot for summer fishing. If fishing is not your thing, then you can still enjoy the lake in any way you choose. There are tons of opportunities for all sorts of activities and it’s definitely worth visiting again and again.

I’m so excited for summer when I can spend some time at lakes like these! What are your summer plans?

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

This beautiful spot is in Oliver County and provides an excellent spot for fishing and boating. The area is simply gorgeous all summer long.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

This lovely lake is the perfect spot for some lakeside lounging as well as some fun on the water. There are a couple of lakes nearby as well, so your possibilities are endless in this area. Des Moines Lake is located in Kidder County about 30 miles from Carrington.

The town of Powers Lake, North Dakota, is right on the banks of Powers Lake. The lake is an optimal spot for all kinds of summer fun, so get out there and enjoy what it has to offer.

USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr

Nestled in the Turtle Mountains, Lake Metigoshe is an absolutely breathtaking spot that is perfect for a stroll or setting out on the beautiful blue waters in a canoe and just enjoying nature and the warm weather. You won’t find many places more serene than here, and the environment is picture worthy year round.

Rice Lake, near Minot, is a great summer destination for anyone who loves being around water. Swimming, fishing, boating - you name it, this lake is there for. Hang out with family and friends there all day and enjoy a sunset over Rice Lake to complete a perfect summer evening.

Des Lacs Lake is home to a wildlife refuge as well as recreational areas. These help provide the perfect lake environment for everyone to enjoy. Hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop on their migration to this lake every year and plenty of other wildlife can be seen. Head out to Kenmare, North Dakota and take a visit to Des Lacs Lake and experience it for yourself.

wespeck/Flickr

Take a weekend trip and camp at this spectacular lake formed from the Larimore Dam. Bring a canoe or kayak and take an early morning adventure across the lake, or just have a picnic lakeside on a pleasant day. There are so many possibilities here to make some awesome summer memories!

NDPRD/Flickr

North Dakota’s largest body of water is one of the top destinations for everything you can enjoy when it comes to seasonal lake fun. Whether you have a sailboat, pontoon, canoe, speedboat, or prefer to experience the shore or take a plunge into the water for a swim, you are guaranteed to have a good time here.

Devils Lake is the largest natural lake in North Dakota and is the best spot for summer fishing. If fishing is not your thing, then you can still enjoy the lake in any way you choose. There are tons of opportunities for all sorts of activities and it’s definitely worth visiting again and again.

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