If all the boating action you get during the winter comes courtesy of websites, magazines and catalogues, a road trip might be in order. Even if you're not stumped for a destination, check out this list of prime water holes. They may get cool — and even downright cold sometimes — but they don't shut down for the winter.

East


Lake Hartwell, Georgia and South Carolina


Lake Hartwell is two hours from Atlanta, one hour from Greenville, S.C., and right on the border of Georgia and South Carolina. The Lake Hartwell area has one of the longest leaf seasons in the country, with peak colors beginning the first week in October and lasting to mid-November. Take the Mountain Waters Scenic Drive through gorgeous mountain country filled with waterfalls. Or show up for the Whitewater Boating Weekend in November, or Victorian Yuletide. Cozy up to one of the many island beaches and find a perfect spot to relax or play.

Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia


A brief 35-mile trip by car from Atlanta, Lake Sidney Lanier on the Chattahoochee River is a family-boating vacationland. The many coves and fingers stretch through five counties, creating a lake filled with little private spots to call your own. And if it's a private island that you seek for a quiet picnic or a nap in the sun, Lake Lanier has over 100 islands scattered across the blue-green water. The lake boasts 10 marinas and 54 launch ramps. At the southern tip of the lake is the full-service Lake Lanier Islands Resort. The resort has a beach, water-park and golf course, and also provides boat and wave-runner rentals.

Lake County, Florida


Lake County is often called "the countryside of Orlando." It is a mere 10 miles from Disney and other attractions, but a world away from the crowds and noise. Lake County contains over 1,000 lakes. And if you need even more water, the county is centrally located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Clermont is right in the middle of 17 interconnected lakes. Using Clermont as a home base, put the boat right in and cruise, fish and ski to your heart's content. Take a ride through beautiful Dora Canal, have brunch at the historic Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora and feel like you went back in time to the Old South. The Amazing Exotics Animal Park is the newest attraction in Lake County, giving visitors a hands-on experience with tigers, leopards and other wild animals.

Lake Okeechobee, Florida


If your perfect boating vacation is a huge body of water set in the countryside near the ocean, Lake Okeechobee might be the place for you. To Seminole Indians, Okeechobee means "big water." And big it is. In fact, it is the second largest freshwater lake in the United States. The lake is less than 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and an easy drive either by boat or car. Lake Okeechobee has five canals leading to the Atlantic Coast. And it is an important link in the Intracoastal Waterway linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico at Fort Myers through its canal system.

Back Bay of Biloxi and Big Lake, Biloxi, Mississippi


In this aerial shot of Biloxi, the Gulf of Mexico is to the left and the Back Bay/Big Lake area is to the right. (Photo courtesy Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau)

In this aerial shot of Biloxi, the Gulf of Mexico is to the left and the Back Bay/Big Lake area is to the right. (Photo courtesy Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau)



Biloxi is located on a peninsula sandwiched between Back Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Big Lake drains into Back Bay just to the west of town. Both freshwater and saltwater boating are available, as well as sandy beaches, charters for deep-sea fishing and shrimp-boat adventures. Biloxi is also well known for its abundant casinos. Some winter activities not to miss include the Christmas-on-the-water boat parade, which is scheduled for the beginning of December; Mardi-Gras festival in late February; and the Spring Festival in March, which tours the historic sites, homes and gardens in the Biloxi area. Biloxi is a mere 60 miles from New Orleans, so a day trip to the Big Easy is an easy ride.

Lakes Marion and Moultrie, South Carolina


These two outstanding lakes are joined together by a channel called the Santee Cooper navigation channel. The goal of the project was to connect the cities of Charleston in the east with Columbia in the west. Joined together in this way, the two lakes represent 122 miles of Southern boating. At the southern end of Lake Moultrie, boaters encounter the Pinopolis Dam. The dam has a lock to lower boats from Lake Moultrie to tide level in the Tailrace Canal below. Once through, the lock boats are on their way in the Cooper River, which flows 60 miles to Charleston and the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

Lake Guntersville, Alabama


A part of the Tennessee River, the Lake Guntersville is at the southernmost tip of the river and provides over 600 miles of navigable water. From Lake Guntersville, boaters can follow the Tennessee River to the Mississippi north to the Great Lakes or south to the Gulf of Mexico. The communities on the lake — Scottsboro to the north and Guntersville to the south — pride themselves on being small-town friendly. The lake is well known for its bass fishing, and tournaments are held every weekend. Stop by Unclaimed Baggage for a store full of bargain prices on stuff found in unclaimed airline luggage and cargo freight.

Central


Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee


Old Hickory Lake, named after President Jackson's nickname, "Old Hickory," is located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Spend some of your days exploring the 97-mile long lake, and some discovering Nashville, the home of country music. Even if you are not a country-music fan, Nashville has the historic Belle Meade plantation, and Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage, is in the nearby town of Hermitage. Take another boat ride inside the atrium of the Opryland Hotel.

Lake Cumberland, Kentucky


Lake Cumberland is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. It is a part of Kentucky's State Parks system and known for its great fishing. Current records include a striped bass over 58 pounds, a walleye over 21 pounds and a 21-pound brown trout caught this year. Since Lake Cumberland is a state park, there is an abundance of campsites that charge reasonable rates by the day, week or longer. The lake is less than 20 miles from Daniel Boone National Forest, which is filled with hiking trails and waterfalls. Civil War buffs can visit the Mill Springs National Cemetery, one of America's oldest and smallest national cemeteries.

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Oklahoma


Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in northwestern Oklahoma, Grand Lake has over 1,300 miles of shoreline, and 46,000 acres of surface area. The lake is loaded with small quiet coves, perfect for fishing, skiing or scuba diving or any other water sport. Off-the-water activities include Darryl Starbird's National Rod and Custom Car Hall of Fame in Afton, the antique shops of Grove, and tours of the Pensacola Dam, the largest multiple arch dam in the world. Stop in for a bite at Granny's Chuckwagon or the Silver Dollar Cafe. If you don't want to tow your boat or camper, rentals are available.

Highland Lakes, Central Texas


The Highland Lakes consists of seven interconnected lakes on the Colorado River, which is located 60 minutes northwest of Austin, Texas. Lake Buchanan is the largest of the lakes, with a length of 30 miles and a width of 5 miles. Explore all seven lakes at your leisure. Known as the "Deer Capital of Texas," hundreds of deer are easily spotted per day, and many of them will eat right from your hand. The Highland Lakes area is also home to Bald Eagles that nest near the water. After a day of boating and fun, stop by the Catfish Barge for a floating fish feast.

Lake Texoma, Texas


Lake Texoma is on the Red River and is shared by both Oklahoma and Texas. It is located a mere 75 miles north of Dallas. Lake Texoma is one of the most popular Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation, hosting more than nine million visitors a year. The Army Corps of Engineers alone manages 54 parks around the lake, in addition to 26 privately owned resorts. Some of the wonderful surprises waiting to be discovered at this lake are the islands. They provide a bit of privacy in the secluded coves and beautiful sandy beaches for picnics and family fun. Lake Texoma has more than 80 boat ramps and plenty of parking for boats and trailers. This lake is also a premier fishing lake and holds the national record for a blue catfish that weighed in at 116 pounds. Lake Texoma also holds the title of "Striper Capital of the World," since it is one of the few lakes in which striped bass reproduce naturally.

Galveston Island, Texas


Located 35 miles from Houston and connected to the mainland by a 2-mile-long bridge, Galveston Island blends boating, history and the beach into one trip. Once an important trading and cultural center, many of the historic buildings still stand and are open to the public. The town is protected on the south by a sea wall that extends for one-third of Galveston's oceanfront. And, being on an island makes it ideal for exploring by boat. The Galveston Bay is on northern side of the island, connecting Galveston to Houston by water. To the south lays the Gulf of Mexico.

Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas


Nestled in the rolling hills and steep mountains of the Ozarks, Bull Shoals Lake and its twin, Norfork Lake, are renowned for their crystal-clear, clean water. The two lakes have a combined 1,500 miles of shoreline and are the most popular lakes in the Ozark Mountains. Fishing season is year-round, and the lakes are filled with a variety of game fish from crappies to bass to trout. A good home base would be the town of Mountain Home, which is strategically placed between the two lakes for easy access to both.

Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma


Lake Eufaula is Oklahoma's largest lake. Although the lake is home to many different water-sports, fishing is its main attraction. Since boating is a year-round activity here, fishing tournaments abound. The main event is the Crappie-thon. Although boating may be year-round, this area does occasionally get substantial snowfall. Check the weather before heading out.

West


Lake Mead, Nevada


Lake Mead is a huge lake located with the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in southern Nevada. The recreation area is twice the size of the state of Rhode Island and is completely dominated by the lake. The famous Hoover Dam is responsible for creating this boater's heaven. Keep in mind that boaters do have to pay for lake use at Lake Mead. A five-day or annual pass is available. If your visit is more than two weeks, the annual pass is the better bargain. And if you tire of your own boat, take a Black Canyon raft trip. Tour the dam, explore the surrounding desert and then head out to the nearest big city: Las Vegas. Boat all day and hit the jackpot at night. Perfect.

Pyramid Lake, Nevada


Prehistoric Pyramid Lake is named for a pyramid-shaped rock that rises from the water. (Photo courtesy Jerry Yesavage, M.D.)

Prehistoric Pyramid Lake is named for a pyramid-shaped rock that rises from the water. (Photo courtesy Jerry Yesavage, M.D.)



Forty miles north of Reno is a unique, prehistoric lake located on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. The lake is named for a great pyramid-shaped rock that rises majestically from the water. Discoverer John Fremont described it as "a pretty exact outline of the great pyramid of Cheops." Thousands of years ago, Tufa rocks (mud and calcium carbonate fused by intense heat from the Earth's core) pushed their way from the lakebed. These ancient rocks give the lake an eerie, time-warped look straight out of the Dinosaur Age. Enjoy the lake and its strange, mysterious surroundings, but make sure to respect the restricted tribal areas of the Paiute Tribe.

Salton Sea, California


Formed by accident, the Salton Sea is one of the world's largest inland seas. (Photo courtesy Christopher B. Cook)

Formed by accident, the Salton Sea is one of the world's largest inland seas. (Photo courtesy Christopher B. Cook)



In 1905, a dike broke during the construction of the All-American Canal. The water ran unchecked from the Colorado River for almost a year. When it was finally stopped, the southern California desert had a huge lake. The resulting water flow created Salton Sea, one of the world's largest inland seas. The sea is 228 feet below sea level. This creates atmospheric pressure that actually improves boat speed and performance. As its name states, the Salton Sea is filled with salt water. Boating and watersports are hugely popular activities, as is bird-watching. Half of the bird species known to live in the United States have been spotted on the shores of Salton Sea.

Lake Powell, Arizona


Bordered by vertical rock formations hundreds of feet tall, Lake Powell is one of the most spectacular bodies of water in the world. (Lake Powell photos including angled image by/copyright Jackson Bridges)

Bordered by vertical rock formations hundreds of feet tall, Lake Powell is one of the most spectacular bodies of water in the world. (Lake Powell photos including angled image by/copyright Jackson Bridges)



What do you call a turquoise lake surrounded by towering red canyon walls that has spectacular sunsets, great boating, sandy beaches and over 200 miles of sheer feasts for the eyes? You call it Lake Powell. Located in north-central Arizona and extending to south-central Utah, Lake Powell is a gem of a lake. With 96 side canyons, any boater will have plenty of fun exploring. Once you leave the marina, the modern world falls away, leaving you to relax and enjoy the beauty. The shoreline of Lake Powell is 1,960 miles long — longer than the Pacific Coast from Canada to Mexico.

Northwest


Lake Chelan, Washington


Lake Chelan maintains a crisp 50 degrees throughout the winter and never freezes. (Photo courtesy Port of Chelan County)

Lake Chelan maintains a crisp 50 degrees throughout the winter and never freezes. (Photo courtesy Port of Chelan County)



Yes, Washington. Who says you have to head south? While the air may be chilly enough to put snow on the nearby ski slopes, glacier-fed Lake Chelan maintains a crisp 50 degrees throughout the winter and never freezes. Snow ski in the morning, jump into a drysuit and water ski all afternoon, or find a perfect fishing spot along the lake's 55-mile length and try to catch one of Lake Chelan's famous 10-foot sturgeons or any of its other extra-large fish. The towns of Chelan and Manson, at the southern end of the lake, are where you find the hotels, restaurants and launching ramps; public ramps cost $3.00 and city ramps are free. Scenic boat and flight-plane rides are available to tour the Cascade Mountains, glaciers and surrounding area. Lake Chelan is located 150 miles from both Spokane and Seattle.