OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE
A family break by the lake
Five great retreats that are casual, affordable and fun for the whole family.
The simple pleasures of family life can be found at lakeside retreats. They're casual and often affordable, and you can relax, float, fish or swim. Here are five places to enjoy lake getaways.
1. Lake Powell, Page, Ariz.
Spectacular red rock formations rise from the water's edge. Sunny days fade into star-filled nights on this vast blue lake created when the
Contact: 1-888-896-3829; pagelakepowelltourism.com. Boating information; antelopepointlakepowell.com
2. Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Mo.
Visit Lake of the Ozarks, one of the state's largest and most scenic lakes, and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking through oak-hickory forests. Climb to the bluff tops for views of the lake where water enthusiasts enjoy beaches, fishing and boat-based sports. Stay in one of the park's rustic log cabins or a spacious yurt, or pop your own tent.
Contact: 573-348-1233; lakeoftheozarksstateparkmarina.com
3. Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro, N.H.
This spring-fed lake has served as the center of New England family holidays for decades. Surrounded by three mountain ranges, the wooded shoreline and numerous islands make for great picnicking, sunning and simply relaxing on or near the water. Visit local museums, enjoy community theater or get an ice cream cone and walk along the beach.
Contact: 1-800-516-5324; wolfeboroonline.com
4. Broken Bow Lake, Broken Bow, Okla.
Located in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains and with 180 miles of shoreline, this scenic lake offers canoeing, boating and fishing that the whole gang will love. With rich green forests as your backdrop, spend a day mountain biking or bird-watching, then visit the nearby kid-friendly Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum.
Contact: 1-800-528-7337; brokenbowchamber.com/visitors_tourism.html
5. Flathead Lake Lodge, Big Fork, Mont.
Combine a Western dude ranch experience with a lake holiday on this 2,000-acre, family-operated getaway near Glacier National Park. Kids will love trail rides, joining the junior wrangler program, swimming, water-skiing and sailing on the lake, arts and crafts, and spending the night in a tepee. Parents and their kids participate in family rodeo events.
Contact: 406-837-4391; flatheadlakelodge.com
(Lynn O'Rourke Hayes is editor of FamilyTravel.com: lohayesfamilytravel.com)
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