Highly valued for their recreational, aesthetic, and scenic qualities, lakes are one of the most treasured of our natural resources. Since the summer weather has started to arrive, we can't wait to get ourselves to some water so we can enjoy the long summer days lakeside. With that in mind, make sure to explore these 5 Upper Valley Lakes this summer. 

Silver Lake in Barnard, VT, stands out for its fishing, large swimming areas, playground areas, picnic grounds, as well as, camping which is located at 20 State Park Beach Road. Visitors can hike, boat, and bike. Its proximity to Woodstock and other central Vermont tourist destinations makes it ideal for family vacations. For more information, visit www.vtstateparks.com.

Mascoma Lake in Lebanon, NH, is a 1,158-acre, 4-mile lake in western NH, most of which is within the town of Enfield, while a small area is in Lebanon where it drains into the Mascoma River, a tributary of the Connecticut River. Takoma Town Beach on the Lake is a public beach offering swimming, boating, sailing, fishing (over 12 different species), and camping. There are a couple of restaurants on the waterfront and four bed and breakfasts in town, although none immediately on the lake. For further information, visit www.upstatenh.com/MascomeLake.html.

Storrs Pond Recreation Area in Hanover, NH, features scenic woodlands, a man-made 13-acre pond offering a wide variety of outdoor activities including swimming, splash pad, watercraft rentals, camping, tennis, picnic pavilions, summer camps, disc golf, mountain biking, hiking, and fishing. Since 1935, families have enjoyed its beautiful surroundings while embracing all the area has to offer. Owned and operated by the Hanover Improvement Society, Storrs is a local non-profit dedicated to providing good works to the people of the Upper Valley. For further information, visit www.storrspond.org/about.

The North Hartland Lake and Recreation Area is close to the towns of Lebanon, NH, and Hartford. VT provides a sandy swimming beach and boat access to the Ottauquechee River. The lake is 215 acres and offers picnicking, a playfield, horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, a nature trail, and a wooded picnic area. There are three picnic shelters that can be reserved for a group event for a nominal fee. Camping, boating, water sports, wildlife viewing, hiking, and even winter sports are available. For further information, visit www.recreation.gov.

Lake Fairlee is a 2-mile long, 462-acre natural lake located in three towns: Thetford, Fairlee, and West Fairlee. All kinds of water sports are enjoyed, including sailing, wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, pontooning, canoeing, and kayaking. Although there are a number of summer cottages and year-round residences along the lake, much of the shoreline is still wooded as summer camps own large areas of the lake. Lake Fairlee is an excellent fishery, and the town of Thetford along the southeast shore provides a boat launch for local residents. There is also a public launch on the northeast shore. For further information, visit www.lakelubbers.com/lake/lake-Fairlee-Vermont-USA.