When it comes to touring mountains, desert, and many of the largest, most pristine man-made and natural lakes in the country, “West is Best”—or so the saying goes. Take Arizona, which may be largely desert but is also home to more than 120 lakes and five major rivers. Kayaking, fly-fishing, rafting, and boat cruises are among the top water sports that Arizona’s lakes offer to group tours. And, because cooling off in the summer and taking in nature’s beauty in the cooler months are top priorities in the state, resorts, shopping, group meeting spaces, and even museums are often located on or close to a lakeshore.
For stunning, picture-perfect beauty that will get oohs and aahs from your group, Lake Havasu is a top pick. Created by the construction of Parker Dam on the Colorado River between Arizona and California, Lake Havasu was named for the Mojave word for “blue.” The lake today is also known for group boat tours that explore the world-famous London Bridge (which once spanned the River Thames), miniature lighthouses, and the gorgeous Bridgewater Channel. Lake Havasu City, a popular filming location for movies and television, also boasts a hot-air balloon festival, boat regattas, fishing tournaments, street fairs, and much more. Groups can explore the Lake Havasu City area through the eyes of the Chemehuevi and Mojave tribes at the Lake Havasu Museum of History.
While in Arizona, Lake Powell also is a treat for groups, especially with lakeside lodging options including Lake Powell Resort and Defiance House Lodge. After the Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1963, the Colorado River backed up, forming Lake Powell. Now a major vacation destination visited by more than 2 million people every year, boat cruises into the lake’s breathtaking canyons, houseboat stays on the crystal-clear water, hiking tours to nearby sites including Antelope Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs, and a visit to the John Wesley Powell Museum provide a bounty of options for groups seeking adventure in mysterious landscapes.
Farther north is another body of water, this time created by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in Arizona and Nevada. Just 24 miles east of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is perfect for a day of water sports and sunshine for your group. Known for its mountainous landscape, slot canyons, and vibrant waters, Lake Mead offers unforgettable group hiking activities, kayaking trips, rafting adventures, and team-building, or just-plain-fun water activities like wakesurfing and waterskiing.
Credit: Unsplash/Mjfilms
Idaho has its own cerulean-blue lake surrounded by forested mountains and a scenic shoreline for groups seeking a more northerly option. Lake Coeur d’Alene was created when the continental ice cap retreated and is fed by the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe rivers. One Lakeside and Coeur d’Alene Resort are just two examples of outstanding accommodations for groups; both are great launching points for such activities as rock climbing, mine tours, boat cruises, zip lines, biking, and wine tasting.
To the northeast is Whitefish Lake, a natural freshwater lake in Flathead County, Montana. For your group, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a natural, year-round choice for exceptional accommodations. Situated between Whitefish Lake and the 28-acre Viking Creek Wetland Preserve, the Lodge offers breathtaking scenery and an abundance of Montana adventures to experience—including sunset boat cruises and narrated group boat tours. Hot-air ballooning, group outfitting and tours, e-bike rentals, hatchet-throwing, and hiking are all available in this scenic wonderland.
Spooky and otherworldly best define Mono Lake, a saline soda lake in Mono County, California, formed at least 760,000 years ago. No swimming here, but this majestic body of water features tufa towers: mineral structures formed when freshwater springs work their way up through the lake’s alkaline waters. Eerie and unforgettable, Mono Lake’s shimmering blue waters also reflect the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. Bird-watching, kayaking and canoe tours, and plenty of hiking with interpretive signage are available at Mono Lake, a quieter, peaceful option for groups intent on enjoying nature and incredible scenery.
Cold, crisp, and very deep (1,645 feet), Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada, straddling the border of California and Nevada—meaning there’s entertainment and adventure for every group tour: casinos, beaches, hiking, boat tours, and more. Group lodging options are equally diverse, from yurts, glamping, and cabins to the Fireside Lodge in South Lake Tahoe, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Palisades Tahoe in North Lake Tahoe, and Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa. Often referred to as “magic at 6,000 feet,” and the “Lake of the Sky,” Lake Tahoe’s striking beauty and many curves, coves, and bays will entrance your group and create unforgettable memories.
By C.J. Lefevre
Main Image: Lake Havasu, Arizona; Credit: Go Lake Havasu
