Scenic Lakes of the American West

• Lake Tahoe, scenic and in the American West lake tahoe image by Mariusz Blach from Fotolia.com

  The five largest lakes in the United States are in the Midwest but the western United States also serves as home to some notable lakes. These bodies of water are known not only for their size, but also for their scenic appeal. Visitors flock to the scenic lakes of the American West for recreation, photography and simply to enjoy the surroundings.

Great Salt Lake

• The Great Salt Lake in Utah covers 2,117 square miles, making it the sixth largest lake in the United States, according to the National Atlas of the United States. The lake is in a desert area at an elevation of around 4,215 feet,contains salt rather than freshwater and is 75 miles long and 35 miles wide.

  Great Salt Lake is known for its scenic sunsets, explains the Utah website and visitors flock to the area from nearby Salt Lake City to view the western sky at night. The lake serves as home to Antelope Island State Park, which offers beaches for sunbathing and swimming. Boating is also permitted on the Great Salt Lake.

Lake Iliamna

• Situated in southwestern Alaska, Lake Iliamna is 1,014 square miles in size, ranking it as the eighth largest lake in the United States. The lake is 100 miles long, 30 miles wide and around 225 miles from Anchorage, the largest metropolitan area in Alaska.

  The Aleutian Range of mountains rise in the background of Lake Iliamna, adding to the scenic quality of the area. Well known for its wildlife, the lake draws visitors who come to observe its freshwater seals. The lake is also a destination for anglers. Among the species of fish found in Iliamna are wild rainbow trout and Alaska northern pike. Boating is permitted at the lake.

Lake Tahoe

• Located at an elevation of 6,225 feet, Lake Tahoe spans between California and Nevada with approximately two-thirds and one-third of the lake found in each state, respectively. The lake measures 22 miles in length and 12 miles in width and has 72 miles of shoreline. At a maximum depth of 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest lake in the United States, reports the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau.

  Lake Tahoe is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing a picturesque landscape year round. Many beaches are located along the lake including the Kings Beach Recreation Area in the town of King's Beach and U.S. Coast Guard Beach & Campground in Tahoe City. Kayaking, canoeing, para-sailing and sailing are all common activities on the lake. For anglers, rainbow and brown trout populate the lake.