Placid Lake State Park

It’s 6 a.m., the waters are sparkling in the morning sun and smooth as a stick of butter. It must be time for some waterskiing! Take advantage of the placid placidity of Placid Lake, the calmest water west of the Mississippi. Nestled into the nook of the Clearwater and Swan River valleys, this park is a boating and fishing paradise with mountain views so high and mighty you have to be careful not to hurt your neck as you take it all in. As you wander through the lakeside forest, marvel at the enormous larch stumps in your path—these are all that are left behind from long-ago logging practices. They’re so big, you can plop down on the stump with a picnic. End the day with a game of horseshoes or volleyball, and then rest your legs to take in the mountain vistas. With water so flat and calm reflecting the mountains, you won’t know which way is up or down.