Ideal Lakes is a pristine destination that offers world-class dining locales, gorgeous hiking trails, and more. It also has a number of Mammoth Lake activities to keep you busy, such as whitewater rafting and boat cruises.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Kayaking is an excellent outdoor activity for both beginners and experienced paddlers. It can be a quiet recreational activity on calm waters or a high-energy sport on rushing rivers. It requires a kayak, a double-bladed paddle, water-resistant clothes, life jacket, and durable shoes.

While canoeing is a great family-friendly activity, kayaks are more maneuverable and offer a better chance to get up close to the water. They also allow you to zig-zag and travel faster than canoes. Kayaking is a fun activity for friends and families to enjoy with a variety of games or add an element of competition to the game by racing each other.

Boating

The water soothes the soul, clears the mind and alleviates stress. This is especially true of boating. The soothing sound of the motor cruising across the lake, coupled with the stunning nature all around, encourages relaxation and promotes overall wellness. In addition, the physical activity of maneuvering a vessel and working with your hands helps to increase your blood flow to your brain, encouraging focus and clarity. The ability to socialize with family and friends also helps with your mental health and provides a sense of playfulness that releases the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

The social aspect of boating is one of the main reasons people enjoy this activity. Whether it’s spending time with friends or enjoying a day with the family, being on the water is a great way to bond and create lasting memories. Additionally, the teamwork involved in boating can foster positive communication skills and encourage empathy. It can even help to alleviate the effects of loneliness, which are known to have a negative impact on our mental and emotional health.

Swimming

Swimming is a non-contact sport that uses the body’s natural flotation and propulsion to move through water. It can be done for recreation and fitness as well as competition. There are several different swimming strokes, including crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.

The crystal clear waters of Lake George are some of the most picturesque in the country. Tucked between two Adirondack mountain peaks, this pristine lake is ideal for sunbathing, boating and fishing. If you prefer to explore from above, take in the scenery on a scenic cruise or a hot air balloon ride.

Another beautiful Adirondack lake to visit is Lake Placid Public Beach, a relaxing retreat that sits right off of downtown. Here, you can wander the sandy beaches or get out on the water with a kayak or canoe from Experience Outdoors for a view of the mountains and lakes.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a water-based activity that is fun for people of all ages and fitness levels. The buoyancy of the water reduces impact forces on joints and facilitates workouts that improve flexibility, endurance and strength. Snorkeling also promotes lung capacity and helps those with breathing difficulties. It also connects you with marine life in their natural habitat.

You can explore a variety of different lakes for your snorkeling adventures. Some are known for their shipwrecks while others are renowned for their crystal clear water. For example, Fathom Five National Marine Park in Lake Huron is a great place to explore many historic shipwrecks as well as sheer cliffs and caves underwater.

Fishing

The beauty of a lake and the variety of its activities provide a great place to unwind. Whether it's a relaxing boat ride, exploring local shops, or sampling some locally sourced wine with amazing lakeside views, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy your favorite lake activities.

Known as the third largest freshwater lake in North America, Lake Champlain offers a picturesque backdrop with vistas of Vermont's Green Mountains and New York's Adirondack Mountains. Explore the area's historic sites at Fort Ticonderoga that offer tours, reenactments and a museum. During your stay, sail on the Glimmerglass Queen tour boat for a scenic view of the lake and surrounding greenery.

Parasailing

Floating up high is an unforgettable experience for those who take the plunge with parasailing. Typically, you'll be strapped into a harness or gondola seat that's connected to the parachute. The whole thing is powered by a winch system on the back of a boat, and once your ride is over, the same winch will gently pull you right down to the deck. 

Before you go up in the air, your tour guide will likely have you put on a life jacket and connect the harness or gondola to your parachute. They'll also put a tow line on you and tether it to the vehicle, which will be responsible for pulling you up and down and forwards and backward.