If you’ve heard of houseboating, but thought there weren’t opportunities near you, think again. We offer houseboats all across North America, so chances are, there’s one near you. And if you thought New England was too crowded to fit some spectacular houseboat destinations, here are a few we have there for you to enjoy:
Erie Canal, New York
One of our most unique houseboating locations, the Erie Canal is so full of historic landmarks and monuments it can feel like a trip through time. From the marina in Macedon, boaters can head east towards the Finger Lakes or west towards Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Along your way stop at various historical locations—among them, the famous Flight of 5 locks; the birthplace of the Woman’s Suffrage Movement; a plethora of architectural wonders – homes, bridges, churches, etc; museums that document the changes it brought to the lives of New Yorkers, and much more.
While there is no swimming in the Erie Canal you will benefit from the nature all around you as you cruise along. Bicycles supplied on board the houseboat will give you the opportunity to ride on the Canalway Trail, the Genesee Valley Greenway, the Cayuga-Seneca Canalway Trail and other municipal trail systems. Visit the local parks found canal-side and near town centers. You can also find waterfalls, caves, and wildlife refuges to immerse yourself in nature.
The Erie Canal is a bustling waterway and during the summer months you may find yourself jumping from local festival to local festival, city celebration days, art fests, a pirate run, German heritage festivals, Italian heritage festivals, barbecue and music festivals, wine festivals, races, regattas, and even a rubber alligator race known as the "Canaligator."
Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania
Built by the Army Corps of Engineers, Raystown Lake is Pennsylvania’s largest lake wholly inside of the state. In a wooded area, it’s shoreline is great for taking a hike or bike ride. There are a number of designated trails as well as open areas for exploration, you may find waterfalls, interesting rock formations, or a variety of forest wildlife. There are also a number of caves in the surrounding area for those interested in seeing more before or after your stay on the lake.
On the water you can enjoy activities at whatever intensity you prefer. Thrill-seekers enjoy scuba diving and cliff jumping on the lake. Some may do water sports such as tubing, skiing, and wakeboarding while others kayak and paddleboard through calmer areas. Fishing is popular all season with different species throughout—catfish, carp, bass varieties, and trout in the cooler months of spring and fall are all found in Raystown Lake.
The biggest event of the year at Raystown Lake is the DirtFest Mountain Bike Festival in May. Attendees may participate in races on various courses, take classes on bike maintenance, and also learn and apply practices for sustainable trail building.
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Sutton Lake, West Virginia
Surrounded by public land, Sutton Lake is a serene getaway. You will find no houses or stores on the lake so this is your opportunity to fully recharge in nature. It has a wooded shoreline lending a green hue to its still waters.
Sutton Lake provides a natural playground for all sorts of water sports. Lake enthusiasts can take part in tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and jet-skiing all over the lake. Fishing is so popular that over 60 bass tournaments are held there each year, and that isn’t all, there is also a large amount of crappie.
Picnic areas with beach areas and playgrounds can be found at some of the designated recreation areas, but there are hundreds of coves you may wish to park your houseboat in and make them your own private playground during your houseboat stay.
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
We recently featured this lake and there’s plenty of reasons why! Sometimes referred to as "the jewel of the Blue Ridge," Smith Mountain Lake is as scenic as that sounds. With mountains around the lush forest environment, it can’t help but stand out.
During your houseboat stay you may choose a variety of activities. Some may take their houseboat vacation like a retreat and watch sailboats and birds from the top deck of the houseboat. Or you may take a paddleboard out and explore the cove you’ve parked in or any of the other hundreds of coves along the shoreline. Skiers, wake-boarders, swimmers, and kids on tubes can be seen grinning with delight all over the lake.
Smith Mountain Lake provides the opportunity for you to catch "the big one" during your houseboat stay too. It is stocked with trophy-sized bass and also holds crappie, catfish, trout, sunfish and muskie.
The Smith Mountain Lake State Park can be accessed by water too and offers miles of hiking and biking trails, some reaching overlooks with fantastic views of the lake and the mountains around it.
So whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature or experience a mixture of nature and city samplings in the east, we have a houseboat destination for you. Book your trip with family or close friends and enjoy the chance to cruise towards your heart’s desires.