7 states for the best secluded lake house rentals
Take your R&R with a view at a private lake house.
While summer crowds have their moment, sometimes all you need is a corner to yourself, to splash, float, take in the scene solo, or make lasting memories with friends and family. With a private lake house rental, you can connect with nature and watch the stillness by the water or recreate the golden days of summer camp with lake activities. Liven up your stay with a log cabin close to the hiking trails or state parks, and make sure to take advantage of a lake cabin with a private dock, swimming pool, or hot tub for even more fun.
Wade into a relaxing lake getaway and come back home refreshed with a new story to share. If you’re looking for the perfect backdrop to your next lake vacation, here are a few favorite spots to find the best secluded lake house rentals.
If you’re looking for a quiet escape, perfumed by the mist and old-growth forest, the Pacific Northwest is precisely where you’ll find it. Lake Chelan is known for its clear waters and nearby apple orchards in the rolling valley, making it a dreamy autumnal trip to enjoy the season with family and friends. On the eastern side of the Cascades, Lake Wenatchee’s snowmelt waters are surrounded by cozy lake cabins overlooking the view. When you’ve soaked up plenty of solitude, nearby Leavenworth is a fun Bavarian town with authentic German food and seasonal Christmas markets.
Coeur d’Alene’s namesake, Lake Coeur d’Alene, might be the area’s summer vacation spot for water sports and hiking trails, but there are plenty of secluded cabins to enjoy away from the noise. Find a tucked-away retreat with a private dock so you can take to the water during the day and sit out on the waves to watch the stars by night. Head a little further north for Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s biggest and deepest lake. With 111 miles of shoreline, you might feel like you have your own slice of the great outdoors to fish, hike, boat, or float as you please. (There’s even a marina of houseboats on the lake if you can’t get enough time on the water.)
When it comes to lake vacations, it’s never a bad idea to start off with one of the Greats. Out of the five Great Lakes (Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron), Lake Michigan is the only lake located entirely within the United States, boasting a rich maritime history and the scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Peppered along its beaches are postcard-perfect log cabins, family lake houses, lighthouses, and quaint small town attractions.
If you’re looking for a countryside stay, the Finger Lakes rest right along the Catskills. Enjoy the slower pace while you breeze into town for the essentials or for an evening of wine tasting, before heading back to the cozy comfort of your lake house rental. If you’re up for an adventure, Robert H. Treman State Park offers some of the best hiking trails for views of the gorge and waterfalls. Stay under the trees and close to the forest with a vacation rental in Lake George, often called the “crown jewel” of the Adirondacks. The lakeside mountain town promises crystal waters, sweeping views, and a myriad of outdoor activities.
Once you catch a glimpse of picturesque Lake Lure, you’ll understand why it was chosen as the setting for iconic movies like Dirty Dancing and The Last of the Mohicans. Its serene shoreline speaks to North Carolina’s natural beauty, perfect for a refreshing secluded lake cabin getaway. Don’t miss the stunning flowering bridge in the spring, which blooms into a colorful scene of 2,000 different plants in the spring and summer. Cozy up while tucked into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains or grab a lakefront home and keep the fun at your fingertips at Lake Junaluska, just a half-hour drive from Asheville. With access to both the mountains and the lake, you can relax with a stroll up the hiking trails or sightsee the area with a day of paddleboarding.
If you’re looking for a good blend of daily activity and quiet nights, Lake Travis makes an ideal setting to your adventure. Here, you’ll find plenty of spas, water sports, and zipline courses across the water, with the comfort of the lake house rental to return to after a long day of fun. The secluded Lake LBJ rests along the Colorado River, where lake and riverfront vacation rentals offer a sweet fix to the Texas sun—quick access for a plunge into the waves. Lounge back against some floaties with friends, fire up the grill, or tour the area by horseback ride (would it be a trip to Texas without one?). When it’s time to switch things up, the city of Austin is an hour away.
Montana is known for its big sky country, but Flathead Lake’s clear blue water enjoys a fame of its own. Snag a lakefront secluded cabin rental to keep the view front and center of your vacation. The waters here are clear enough that you can often see through 20 feet of water in the summertime. The lake’s crystal clear visibility is thanks to its history as an ancient glacial lake, which lacks the phosphorus and nitrogen to allow for algae growth. When you’re not taking full advantage of the waves for swimming and fishing, embrace the great outdoors with a journey out to Wild Horse State Park and tour the area’s museums to learn more about its tribal history.
Located in the heart of Maine, Moosehead Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States, covering more than 74,000 acres. During your lake vacation, head out for a day of kayaking and you might spot some of the 80 islands that call the lake home. With its sprawling landscape and abundant wildlife, there are few better places to unwind in a secluded lakefront cabin. For more of New England’s charm, check out Sebago Lake, which boasts some of the cleanest lake water you’ll see for all of your swimming, boating, and fishing needs. With canoes at the ready and seafood shacks in town, you’ll enjoy the best of a northeastern summer.
If Lake Tahoe is feeling a bit too crowded, take the hiking trail less traveled over to Donner Lake, just a 25-minute drive away. That way, you can enjoy all the fanfare of inflatable obstacle courses at Lake Tahoe when you’re up for it, but return back to your secluded home base at Donner Lake for more peace and quiet. The area reels in some of the biggest lake trout in the state and the views from the surrounding lake cabins are unbeatable. Or, take in some of California’s most gorgeous scenery with a trip to Pine Mountain Lake, where you can relax along serene lake shores and enjoy day trips out to Yosemite National Park, only a 30-minute drive away. Whether sitting back with a view from the porch or watching a waterfall from the park, you’ve got everything you need for an adventure to remember.
No two lakes are alike, so it’s best to decide what kind of lake vacation you’re after. Texas lakes offer a refreshing escape from the state’s famous desert heat while Washington’s lakes are enveloped in misty green forests. Find the best lake for every kind of adventure in Maine, California, North Carolina, New York, and Idaho. For even more lakeside fun, check out Michigan and Wisconsin.
When booking a secluded lake cabin rental, make sure to read the home’s description for a full list of the offered amenities, which may include water views, mountain views, a private dock, fireplace, swimming pool, or hot tub. Skip the commute to the shore with a lakefront rental and get the most out of your lake vacation.
