Lake Pepin

One of the most serene stops along the Mississippi River, Lake Pepin's waters are home to the birthplace of waterskiing and possibly a lake monster to boot. 2 miles wide and 22 miles long; there's plenty of space for the many watercraft that frequent the lake. With its vast surface, it is easy to see how Lake Pepin has cemented itself in the boating culture and watersports history. In 1922 Ralph Samuelson tied two boards to his feet and a length of clothesline to the back of a boat. Nowadays this odd behavior is called waterskiing, and it's best done atop the waters of Lake Pepin. Just keep a lookout for "Pepie" the rarely spotted lake creature that roams the depths, as an encounter with them could either make or break your camping adventure.