Maryland is packed with beautiful lakes that deserve a spot on your travel list, whether you want to spend the day swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking, or simply relaxing by the water.
Some are known for incredibly clear water, while others are surrounded by mountain views, peaceful forests, or miles of scenic walking trails.
You might be surprised to find quiet outdoor escapes and amazing wildlife watching just a short drive from some of the state’s busiest cities.
Keep reading to discover seven of the best lakes in Maryland that are too good to ignore, and find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure.
1. Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake is located in Garrett County in western Maryland, about a 3-hour drive from Baltimore, and it is the state’s largest freshwater lake with nearly 3,900 acres of water and 65 miles of shoreline.
You can spend the day boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and trout, or relaxing at Deep Creek Lake State Park, which has a sandy swimming beach, hiking trails, and a nature center.
You can also spot bald eagles, hike to the nearby 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls at Swallow Falls State Park, or take a scenic cruise across the water.
If you visit during winter, nearby Wisp Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and Maryland’s only mountain coaster, making this lake a fun destination in every season.
2. Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap State Park
If crystal clear water is at the top of your list, Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland is hard to beat, with a 243 acre lake surrounded by forested hills and towering cliffs in Allegany County.
The lake is famous for its unusually clear water, making it one of the best places in Maryland for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and fishing for bass, trout, and bluegill.
You can stretch your legs on sections of the 5.3-mile Lakeside Loop Trail, relax on the public swimming beach, rent a boat, or camp overnight inside the 3,000 acre state park.
Keep an eye out for white tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles, then finish your visit with views of Evitts Mountain or a stop at the nearby Rocky Gap Casino Resort for dining, golf, or entertainment.
3. Greenbrier Lake at Greenbrier State Park
Looking for an easy lake day close to the city?
Greenbrier Lake at Greenbrier State Park sits along South Mountain near Boonsboro in Washington County.
It’s about an hour from Baltimore and it has a 42-acre man-made lake surrounded by hardwood forest.
The large sandy beach is one of the biggest draws, giving you plenty of room to swim, sunbathe, build sandcastles, or launch a kayak or paddleboat during the warmer months.
When you are ready to explore, hike a section of the famous Appalachian Trail that passes through the park or cast a line for trout, bass, and bluegill.
Picnic areas, campgrounds, playgrounds, and boat rentals make it easy to spend the entire day here, especially if you want a relaxing outdoor getaway without driving all the way to western Maryland.
4. Clopper Lake at Seneca Creek State Park
If you want a peaceful escape without leaving the Washington, D.C. suburbs, Clopper Lake at Seneca Creek State Park is located in Gaithersburg, where a scenic 90-acre lake is surrounded by more than 6,300 acres of protected parkland.
This spot is a favorite for kayaking, canoeing, pedal boating, and fishing, with healthy populations of largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie waiting beneath the calm water.
You can follow the 3.7-mile Lakeshore Trail for beautiful water views, wander through shady forests, or visit in spring and summer when wildflowers brighten the shoreline.
During the holidays, the park becomes even more popular thanks to the annual Winter Lights Festival, when a 3.5-mile driving route sparkles with over 450 illuminated displays that have become a Montgomery County tradition.
5. Centennial Lake in Centennial Park, Ellicott City
For a lake that mixes outdoor fun with easy access to town, head to Centennial Lake in Centennial Park, located in Ellicott City in Howard County, where a scenic 54-acre man-made reservoir is surrounded by rolling lawns and wooded shoreline.
The paved 2.6-mile loop around the lake is one of the park’s biggest highlights, giving you a great route for walking, jogging, biking, or stopping to watch ducks, geese, turtles, and great blue herons along the water.
You can rent paddleboats during the warmer months, cast a line for largemouth bass, trout, catfish, and sunfish, or spread out at one of the many picnic areas overlooking the lake.
With playgrounds, open fields, seasonal concerts, and colorful fall foliage reflected on the water, this popular park has become one of central Maryland’s favorite spots for an easy afternoon outdoors.
6. Lake Artemesia
If you enjoy spotting wildlife as much as spending time on the water, Lake Artemesia in College Park is a fantastic stop, with a peaceful 38 acre lake located just a few minutes from the University of Maryland campus.
The paved trail circling the lake is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking, and the surrounding wetlands attract great blue herons, ospreys, red winged blackbirds, turtles, and plenty of other local wildlife.
Fishing is allowed in designated areas, and you can also relax on benches overlooking the water, enjoy a picnic, or explore the larger Anacostia Tributary Trail System for even more miles of scenic riding and walking.
Lake Artemesia was originally created during construction of the Washington Metro Green Line in the 1970s.
Today, it’s one of the best places near Washington, D.C. for nature, birdwatching, and a quiet break from busy city streets.
7. St. Mary’s Lake at St. Mary’s River State Park
For a quieter getaway in southern Maryland, St. Mary’s Lake sits near Leonardtown in St. Mary’s River State Park.
Here you’ll find a peaceful 250-acre freshwater lake surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of forest and wetlands.
This lake is especially popular with anglers, who come to catch largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and chain pickerel, while kayakers and canoeists can enjoy calm water away from busy boat traffic.
You can explore the scenic 7.5-mile trail that loops around the lake, watch for bald eagles, osprey, beavers, and white tailed deer, or settle into one of the picnic areas for a relaxing afternoon by the water.
The lake was created in 1975 by damming the St. Mary’s River, and today it offers a peaceful mix of fishing, hiking, paddling, and wildlife watching that feels far removed from the crowds found at Maryland’s better known lakes.
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