If you have never seen sapphire stars twinkling in the water at twilight, here is an invitation to visit some of the most breathtaking blue water lakes in the U.S. You don’t have to travel to the Caribbean to get a taste of sapphire waves. America is dotted with hidden spots that have an almost otherworldly beauty and absolutely pristine waters, just waiting for you to explore. Here are some of the most shockingly blue waters you’ll ever see in some of the prettiest lakes in the U.S.

1. Diablo Lake, Washington
Diablo Lake, Diablo Dam, Rockport, WA 98283, USA
Sergei A/Unsplash
Diablo Lake looks like something from another planet. Located in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington, this lake gets its surreal coloring from a fine rock powder carried to the lake via creeks and suspended in its waters. You can fish, camp, kayak and canoe here, as well as explore the myriad other beautiful spots in Ross Lake National Recreation Area. This is easily one of the most beautiful blue lakes in the United States.
2. Amethyst Lake, Utah
High Uintas Wilderness, North Duchesne, UT 84021, USA
Flickr/Jason Corneveaux
Amethyst Lake is located in the High Uintas and is one of the most gorgeous natural spots in Utah. You can reach this stunning lake via a 12-mile out-and-back hike through flower-filled meadows and hilly terrain. The water is clear, chilly and sparkling. It is one of the prettiest lakes in the U.S.
3. Ice Lake, Colorado
Ice Lake Basin, Colorado 81301, USA
TripAdvisor/Akami1989
As you might have gathered from the name, this lake is gorgeous but frigid. Located in the scenic San Juan Mountains of Colorado, Ice Lake is perched at nearly 14,000 feet and covered by snow nearly eight months out of the year. A summertime visit to this spot might be your best bet.
4.Cosmic Cavern, Arkansas
Cosmic Cavern, 6386 AR-21, Berryville, AR 72616, USA
Facebook/Cosmic Cavern
Sapphires come from underground, and that’s just where you’ll find these two startlingly blue lakes. Cosmic Cavern is located in Berryville and is the largest privately owned show cave in Arkansas. It’s home to two crystal-clear underground lakes that are said to be bottomless. You can explore the cavern and check out South Lake on a one-hour tour of this beautiful blue lake.
5.Lake Helen, Northern California
Lassen Volcanic National Park Headquarters, 38050 Hwy 36 E, Mineral, CA 96063, USA
Flickr/Joe Parks
Lake Helen is a beautiful glacial lake located in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It’s fed by melting snow and has some of the most pristine, turquoise waters you’ll ever spy. The lake has the unique mineral content of the surrounding terrain to thank for its stunning hue. It's easily one of the top glacial lakes in the U.S.

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6. Lake Powell, Arizona
Canyonlands National Park, Utah 84532, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Genbao Zhang
Head to Glen Canyon area in Arizona for a taste of one of the most celebrated lakes in the country. Lake Powell is known for being a popular vacation destination, due in no small part to how its startlingly blue waters are set off beautifully by the intense reds and yellows of the dramatic northern Arizona landscape. Enjoy relaxing and taking in the view at this beautiful blue lake.
7. Lake Michigan, Wisconsin
8611 1st Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, USA
Flickr/Elvis Kennedy
Okay, so this lake is no secret. But it's hard to truly appreciate how "great" the Great Lakes really are until you're standing on their shores. Lake Michigan has many moods, but on a clear day it can transform into something almost resembling a tropical pool. One public access to this lake is in Pleasant Prairie.
8. Lake Tahoe, Nevada
2005 Nevada Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
Flickr/Don Graham
Lake Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in the country and sits at a staggering 6,225 feet above sea level. Its colorful waters and beautiful shoreline draw thousands of visitors a year, but the foot and boat traffic hasn’t done anything to dampen the splendor of this beautiful blue lake.
9. Torch Lake, Michigan
Torch Lake, MI 49648, USA
Flickr/Scott Smithson
Torch Lake is spread over Antrim and Kalkaska counties and is a great alternative to the famed Great Lakes. With pure, cool waters of a Caribbean hue, it'll be a real struggle to pull yourself away from this beautiful blue lake.
10. Lava Lake, Oregon
Deschutes National Forest, Oregon 97703, USA
Flickr/m01229
Lava Lake is located in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest and rimmed by a volcano. If that unforgettable setting isn’t enough to inspire a visit, the lake’s waters are a clear cerulean that stands out beautifully against the snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Are you convinced to set out to at least one of these gorgeous blue water lakes in the U.S.? If you like the idea, there are hundreds of places to explore in the United States along the way. For more of the most unforgettable scenery in America, check out these 18 dazzling mountain views that will leave you breathless. To discover more of the most beautiful lakes across the United States, check out the short video below that answers the question, “What is the prettiest lake in America?”

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More to Explore

Blue Lakes In The US

Carolyn Harmon | June 02, 2022

What are some other sapphire lakes in the U.S.?

Some other sapphire lakes in the U.S. are:

  • Smith Lake, in Alabama, which spans approximately 22,000 acres with an impressive 500 miles of shoreline through Winston, Cullman and Walker counties. This recreational space is fun for boaters and swimmers, and don't forget the tackle box, as plenty of good fish are found in this gorgeous lake.
  • Deer Lake, in Minnesota, which is over 4,000 acres with 22 miles of shoreline. This is a beautiful spot to enjoy wildlife and inspirational, scenic sunsets.

What are some more beautiful lakes in the U.S.?

Some more beautiful lakes in the U.S. are:

  • Maroon Lake in Gunnison County, Colorado
  • Lake Mead in Mohave County, Arizona
  • Lake Drummond in Great Dismal Swamp, Virginia
  • Lake Blanche in the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, Utah
  • Cowpen Lake in Jupiter, Florida
  • Lake Clark in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

If you need more help knowing where to begin, this list of 19 beautiful lakes in the U.S. is a good place to get started.

What is the best bed and breakfast near a sapphire lake in the U.S.?

The Torch Lake Bed & Breakfast is the best bed and breakfast located near a sapphire lake in the U.S. It is the only B&B located on Torch Lake, centrally located in northern Michigan between Charlevoix, Traverse City, Elk Rapids, and Petoskey. This location offers many choices for shopping and dining. It also offers boating, swimming, paddle boarding, windsurfing, fishing, hiking, golfing, biking, tennis, and horseback riding.

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