15 of the Most Crystal-Clear Hidden Gem Lakes in the U.S.

Lake Jocassee sits in the heart of the spectacular Jocassee Gorges, located in the far northwestern corner of South Carolina. This 7,565 acre, 385-foot deep reservoir is nestled into Devil’s Fork State Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina and is known for its undeveloped shoreline and clear waters. Here, visitors can dive into some of the cleanest and clearest waters of the Southeast–up to 50 feet at some depths. Divers can see the old Mount Carmel Baptist Church cemetery, remnants of a deserted hotel, a church cemetery, and even a basketball court lurking beneath the water’s surface. Those who prefer to stay dry can explore the shady forest lands along the Oconee Bells Nature Trail, Bear Cove Trail, or the Foothills Trail. Visitors who want to prolong their stay can book a villa in the park, or a standard camping site to extend the trip.

When most people think of NorCal lakes, a first to come to mind is the beloved Lake Tahoe–but what people don’t realize is there’s a whole host of undiscovered alpine lakes surrounding this better-known gem. Caples Lake, Silver Lake, Kirkwood Lake, Shealer Lakes are just a few bodies of water that are well worth adventuring outside of the waters of Lake Tahoe itself. South Lake Tahoe’s Hope Valley region is an under-the-radar destination that’s perfect for discovering a plethora of incredible hidden gem alpine lakes galore. Set home base somewhere like the uncrowded Wylder Hope Valley, a newly opened 65-acre all-season alpine resort to explore this pristine nature area. It’s close enough to civilization to feel connected–while far enough away to be able to make the choice to fully disconnect.

String Lake is located in Grand Teton National Park where the mountains literally meet the water, making for fantastic reflective views of the towering peaks. Visitors can bring a paddleboat or stand-up paddleboard to get out on the water where the beauty of the lake is as clear as the waters. Set a home base either at a campground in the park or in the nearby town of Jackson, at The Lodge at Jackson Hole, where visitors will encounter an experience that feels as elevated as the nearby mountains.

When people think of New Mexico, oftentimes they think of desert terrain–but high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos perches the impressive Williams Lake. This natural, glacial alpine lake sits just below Wheeler Peak in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness of Carson National Forest, and can easily be reached by traveling along the Williams Lake Trail from the trailhead in Taos Ski Valley. The walk is worth the views of the lake and its majestic surrounding peaks. Those who want to extend their experience can set home base as the Village of Taos Ski Valley which hosts a range of accommodations from quaint cabins, to chalets to slopeside hotels, condos, and comfy bed and breakfasts to relax in, after a day of lakeside adventure.

Green Lakes State Park in the Finger Lakes region of New York hosts two spectacular glacial lakes well worth exploiting, surrounded by lush upland forest terrain. Both Round Lake and Green Lake are “meromictic lakes”–which means that there is no seasonal mixing of the different waters on the surface and bottom of the lake. This means the lakes host a range of unique plant and animal life. Set home base as one of the local campsites, or in one of the nearby city of Syracuse, which is located in the Finger Lakes region (the more publicized of these two New York lake areas) and offers a host of alternative accommodation offerings such as cozy B&Bs and cabins.

A crown gem among the 200-lake Olallie Lakes scenic area between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson in Marion County, Oregon, Gifford Lake showcases aqua-blue colored waters and fantastic campsites that host 270-degree views of private-island feeling seclusion. Getting here is especially notable–it involves following a secret path that doesn’t exist on most topographic maps. Adventurers can start at the Lower Lake Trailhead and then take a left at the four-way intersection past Lower Lake, before hiking less than a half-mile more until they reach a tree marred by hatchet marks. Then, follow the overgrown trail on the left a few hundred feet to reach this unspoiled paradise. Bring lunch and a hammock to relax and fully enjoy gorgeous views, or swim in the clear turquoise water for an unmatched, uncrowded experience and a pristine day spent by the lake.

Note: Gifford Lake is currently closed due to the wildfires last year but the area is slated to open back up this year, so to check back at their website.