Written by BAILEY FREEMAN
The US is speckled with lakes of all kinds: natural, manmade, alpine, saltwater and more.
And while big-name lakes get all the glory (looking at you Tahoe, Great Lakes, etc), there are plenty of spots to jump in.
Check out these under-the-radar beauties perfect for an aquatic getaway.
Lake Lure, North Carolina
Lake Lure is found in the mountains of western North Carolina, and its shores might look familiar: Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray filmed scenes here for the classic film Dirty Dancing.
Visitors can relax on the lake’s beaches or take to the hills to explore the surrounding mountains; don’t miss Chimney Rock, which offers panoramic views of the gorge and the lake.
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
Lake Ouachita sits in the hills of the Ozarks, and it has a very unique critter swimming beneath its surface: freshwater jellyfish.
These harmless invertebrates are globally quite rare, but they thrive in the lake’s clear waters, often regarded as the clearest in the state.
The lake also harbors 200 uninhabited islands – grab a kayak and take your pick.