Patoka Lake, Indiana

For the perfect waterside retreat, get yourself to Patoka Lake. Here, you will find thousands of acres of pristinely beautiful lake just waiting for you to dip your toes. Bring out the boat, water skis, swim trunks, and the whole crew to enjoy the state’s second largest reservoir of greatness, which boasts two fine marinas, by the way. If the lake life isn’t for you (or you just got a little too much sun), there are plenty of beautiful trails to hit up. Seriously, you can’t ever grow tired of that rustic wooded scenery. Get back to the water for some of the best bass and crappie fishing in all of Indiana—really, it’s a thing. So, let’s review: awesome lake waters, sunny shores, quaint marinas, angler’s paradise, forested haven. Sounds like the perfect summertime jam.