7 serene lake houses you can rent right now

Dive in and cool off

By Megan Barber@megcbarber Jun 14, 2019, 12:20pm EDT

In the foreground is a lake near Mount Vernon, Washington. In the background is a cabin with a wood facade and a green roof. There are trees in the background. — This lakeside, six-acre retreat near Mount Vernon, Washington, is a perfect cabin getaway for $209 per night.

If you’ve been dreading this summer’s sticky, sweaty heat, take a break from the high temps and retreat to a lakefront getaway. Across the country, waterfront vacation rentals offer pleasant breezes, decks with views aplenty, and a chance to cool off.

Even more important, staring at the water for a few hours is sure to get your head in a better place. We’ve rounded up seven lakeside retreats sure to have you booking a plane ticket (or packing up the car), stat.

Looking for other top-notch vacation rentals? Don’t miss our roundups on glamping yurts, geodesic domes, and Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes for rent.

A house with an adobe facade in New Mexico. Surrounding the house is desert. There is a lake and mountains in the distance.

A lakefront desert retreat in New Mexico

The house: This two-bedroom, two-bath oasis in Northern New Mexico is a custom adobe-style home on 22 acres. Perks include a fireplace, heated patios, hot tub built into the rocks, and a fire pit overlooking the arroyo.

The lake: The beautiful Abiquiu Lake is 70 miles north of Santa Fe with majestic mountain and desert views. There’s a hiking path to the lake from the house and a cove perfect for fishing and swimming.

The price: $215 per night

A wood cabin in a clearing on the waterfront of Lake Superior. The cabin has a front porch with a barbecue and chairs. There are trees in the back of the cabin.

A love shack on Lake Superior

The house: Perched on a 500-foot cliff, this simple, off-the-grid cabin features a wood-burning sauna, water, gas heat, and a large screened-in patio so you can enjoy the views bug free.

The lake: Pine trees and sparkling water await on Lake Superior, and the cabin’s cliffside location makes for panoramic water views.

The price: $85 per night

In the foreground is a dock with flowers in planters. The dock is spanning over Lake Tahoe. In the distance are cabins and trees.

Beachfront house in Lake Tahoe

The house: This four-bedroom, five-bath home on Tahoe’s west shore can sleep eight people and boasts three master suits. You also get a big fireplace and easy access to Homewood Resort or Tahoe City.

The lake: Directly in front of the house, the rental comes with a sandy beach, barbecue area, 200-foot pier, and access to the nearby marina. Throw in the provided beach chairs and kayaks and you have quite the water vacation.

The price: $1,626 per night

A fishing cabin with a wood facade and a green roof on the edge of the waterfront of a lake in Washington. There are trees and grass in back of the cabin.

A fishing cabin in Washington

The house: A cute cabin with beds for four, the interior provides simple amenities, water views, and one bedroom with one-and-a-half baths. An expansive deck is perfect for reading a book or watching the sunset.

The lake: This private 0.5-acre pond is only available to guests and is perfect for swimming or fishing for trout. And if it gets too chilly in the evenings for a swim, you can always warm up in the property’s hot tub.

The price: $209 per night

A treehouse on the edge of Walker Pond in Vermont. The treehouse has a wooden facade and is surrounded by trees.

Vermont treehouse on Walker Pond

The house: The treehouse is partially supported by two white pine trees and features a winding staircase to the bedroom upstairs. Other perks include a cedar hot tub, private deck, and fire pit.

The lake: Located on 40 acres of forest, Walker Pond is a picturesque spot for canoeing, fishing, and relaxation.

The price: $230 per night

A cabin on Lake Arrowhead in California

The house: With room for six, this three-bedroom, two-bath home sits on a quiet lane with gorgeous lake views. It’s pet friendly, includes water gear and two kayaks, and is ideal for families.

The lake: This privately owned lake is 14 around and 185 deep, and the rental comes with membership for up to 10 adults at the marina, yacht club, and beaches.

The price: $308 per night

An aerial view of Crescent Lake in Florida. There is a dock spanning out over the lake. At the edge of the dock is a white house with a blue roof. There are trees on the edge of the waterfront.

Over-the-water bungalow in Florida

The house: This pet-friendly abode sleeps six at the end of a dock that stretches over 250 feet from the land. Outdoor decks let you take advantage of the water views, and there are two screened-in porches and a hammock.

The lake: It doesn’t get much closer to the water than this home on Crescent Lake. The perfect spot for boating and seeing wildlife.

The price: $225 per night