If it seems like it would be tough to narrow down the top six lake destinations in North America for your Axis, it is. Our team agonized over this list, but in the end, we had to pick our favorites. This list has something for everyone, from upscale with high-end real estate lining the shores to awe-inspiring natural beauty. If you’re lucky enough to visit all six of these destinations, you will have ridden in some of the best water in North America. Here are the top six destinations you need to be sure to visit with your Axis in tow.

Norris Lake, Tennessee

Central Tennessee’s gem, Norris Lake has all the amenities you would expect from a large reservoir. Set in a backdrop of the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains your experience is immediately amplified. With over 20 marinas offering accommodations, events, lakefront restaurants, and more, you have everything you need on Norris Lake for an unforgettable weekend with your boat crew. To top it all off, Norris is one of the cleanest lakes in North America, so your family can feel good about swimming in pristine waters.

Explore the Southeast

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Located in east central New Hampshire, the state’s largest lake offers a getaway so pristine it will make you forget urban life ever existed. With the White Mountains as your backdrop, you can ride for miles on clean water into remote areas, or tie up with new friends on sandy beaches for an afternoon of socializing. With over 200 natural islands to explore, you and your boat crew can also island hop to your heart’s content. And with an average depth of 43 feet, Lake Winnipesaukee has plenty of water to make a great wake or wave. Bonus points for visiting in the Fall when the leaves are changing color, which takes the shoreline from awe-inspiring to breathtaking.

Explore the Northeast

Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota

On the more well-heeled side of our list, Lake Minnetonka is a Midwest haven for the elite — Prince lived on this lake! This large lake feels like a chain but it’s actually the 23 bays, which are a life-saver on weekends and holidays when it can get tricky to find semi-smooth water. Just west of Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka offers plenty of places to eat and drink on the water along with shorelines filled with eye-candy real estate.

Explore the Midwest

Lake Coeur d'Alene

Ready for some natural beauty? If your standard is majestic trees dotting serpentine shorelines with plenty of clean, fresh water to ride, Lake Coeur d’Alene more than meets it. Oh, and did we mention the scenic mountain background? Or the eagles feeding on spawning salmon in the winter months? Throw those on the list as well, and Lake Coeur d’Alene is pretty hard to beat. Ranging from 35 feet in some places and 210 feet in other, the water is almost Caribbean in its clarity, with shallow areas showcasing a range of exotic water colors.

Explore the Northwest

Lake Powell, Arizona & Utah

Lake Powell is the quintessential houseboat destination, and that’s really saying something. There’s nothing like pulling up to the marina, renting a houseboat, towing your Axis behind, and finding a remote cove to spend the next week in. Lake Powell is a massive reservoir in southern Utah and northern Arizona that snakes around through the desert with fingers of glassy, deep water extending out in every direction. Cliff jumps await when you’re between wake sessions, and the plentiful sun will have you begging for a dive off the top deck of the houseboat in the midday heat. Keep a close eye on the weather as storms can kick up quickly. With multiple marinas and massive boat ramps, Lake Powell is just begging to host your next watersports road trip. It’s truly a watersports destination surrounded by a beautifully barren landscape.

Explore the Southwest

Okanagan Lake, British Columbia

The natural beauty of British Columbia is on full display in Okanagan Lake. At almost 84 miles long and an average depth of almost 250 feet, Okanagan is absolutely massive. With this depth and latitude, you may want to bring a wetsuit just in case. The picturesque shoreline is covered with vineyards and orchards, making this one of the most unique riding backdrops in North America. With the city of Kelowna sharing the shores of Okanagan Lake, there’s always something to do after an all-out day of watersports as well.

Explore Canada

Ready to Go All Out?

Contact your local dealer to schedule your on-the-water demo & join the Axis Wake Movement. You’ll be glad you did.