The United States is home to some of the most breathtaking and unusual lakes in the world. While oceans may seem like the ultimate mysterious bodies of water with their unfathomable depths and strange creatures, America’s lakes hold secrets and oddities that rival or even surpass their saltwater counterparts. From bizarre chemical compositions to mysterious legends and unexpected natural phenomena, these 14 lakes across the United States demonstrate that sometimes the strangest waters are found inland, far from the crashing waves of the sea.
Great Salt Lake, Utah – Saltier Than the Ocean
Utah’s Great Salt Lake stands as one of America’s most peculiar bodies of water, boasting a salinity level that exceeds that of most oceans. While typical seawater contains about 3.5% salt, the Great Salt Lake’s concentration ranges between 5% and 27%, depending on water levels and the specific area of the lake. This hypersaline environment creates a natural buoyancy that makes swimmers float effortlessly on the surface, similar to the experience in the Dead Sea. The lake’s high salt content has also led to striking pink-hued waters in certain areas, caused by salt-loving microorganisms called halophilic bacteria that produce carotenoid pigments. Perhaps most surreal is the lake’s division by a railroad causeway, creating distinct ecosystems with different colors and salinity levels on either side, visible even from space.
Crater Lake, Oregon – The Deepest and Clearest
Formed approximately 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama collapsed following a violent eruption, Crater Lake is an anomaly of natural perfection. At 1,943 feet deep, it reigns as the deepest lake in the United States and the ninth deepest in the world. What makes Crater Lake truly extraordinary is its unprecedented clarity, with visibility extending up to 100 feet below the surface. This remarkable transparency results from the lake having no inlets or outlets, meaning it’s fed exclusively by rain and snowfall, preventing the introduction of sediments and pollutants common in other lakes. The water’s striking sapphire-blue appearance is caused by its depth and purity, absorbing all colors of the light spectrum except blue, which reflects to our eyes. Adding to its mystique is Wizard Island, a cinder cone that rises 763 feet from the lake surface, creating an island within a volcanic caldera—a rare geological feature found in few places on Earth.
Morning Glory Pool, Wyoming – A Disappearing Rainbow
Technically a hot spring rather than a lake, Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park deserves mention for its otherworldly appearance and tragic transformation. Once renowned for its brilliant blue center ringed by vibrant rainbow colors, this thermal pool has undergone a dramatic change due to human interference. Decades of coins, trash, and other objects thrown in by visitors have clogged thermal vents and lowered the water temperature from about 170°F to around 150°F. This temperature change has allowed different thermophilic bacteria to thrive, transforming the pool’s famous blue waters to yellow, orange, and green rings that expand toward the center year by year. Scientists fear the pool may eventually lose its blue center entirely, preserving only the memory of what was once called “Yellowstone’s most beautiful spring.” The pool’s current appearance, while still striking, serves as a stark reminder of human impact on natural wonders—a cautionary spectacle that draws thousands of visitors annually to witness its remaining, but diminishing, beauty.
Lake Hillier, Michigan – The Bubblegum Pink Mystery
Nestled in the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan lies Lake Hillier, one of the most visually startling lakes in America. What makes this modest-sized lake extraordinary is its persistent bubblegum-pink color that doesn’t fade even when collected in containers. Unlike temporary color changes seen in some bodies of water, Lake Hillier’s pink hue remains constant throughout the year. Scientists attribute this unusual coloration to a complex interaction between high salinity, extreme alkalinity, and the presence of Dunaliella salina algae, along with several species of halophilic bacteria. These microorganisms produce carotenoid pigments, particularly beta-carotene, as part of their photosynthetic processes and response to the harsh conditions. Despite its alien appearance, the lake is not toxic to humans, though swimming is generally discouraged to preserve this natural phenomenon. Aerial views of Lake Hillier present a surreal landscape, with the vibrant pink water contrasting dramatically against the surrounding green forest and nearby blue waters, creating a natural color palette that seems more like an artist’s imagination than reality.
Mono Lake, California – Where Tufa Towers Rise
Mono Lake presents one of the most alien landscapes in North America, famous for its otherworldly tufa towers that rise from the water like ancient ruins from a forgotten civilization. These limestone columns form underwater when calcium-rich freshwater springs bubble up through the alkaline lake water, creating a chemical reaction that precipitates calcium carbonate. Over the decades, these deposits grow into towering spires that become visible when lake levels drop. At approximately 760,000 years old, Mono Lake is among the oldest continuously existing lakes in North America, creating an ecosystem so unusual it’s often compared to early Earth or even Mars. The lake’s water is three times saltier than the ocean and highly alkaline (pH 10), supporting a unique ecosystem dominated by brine shrimp, alkali flies, and over 80 species of migratory birds that feast on these creatures. What makes Mono Lake particularly strange is that despite its hostile chemical composition, it teems with life adapted to conditions that would kill most freshwater organisms, demonstrating nature’s extraordinary adaptability in extreme environments.
Berkeley Pit Lake, Montana – The Lake That Kills Birds
Perhaps the most ominous body of water in America, Berkeley Pit Lake in Butte, Montana, represents the dark side of human industrialization. This artificial lake formed when groundwater filled an abandoned open-pit copper mine, creating a toxic brew of heavy metals and acidic water (pH 2.5, similar to vinegar). What makes Berkeley Pit particularly notorious is its deadly effect on migratory birds that mistake its 1-mile-long surface for a safe resting spot. In 1995, a flock of 342 snow geese landed on the lake and died within days from internal hemorrhaging and severe burns to their esophagus, mouth, and digestive systems. Another incident in 2016 saw thousands of snow geese perish after landing during a snowstorm. The lake contains such high concentrations of copper, cadmium, arsenic, and zinc that it qualifies as one of America’s largest Superfund sites. Strangely, despite its extreme toxicity, scientists have discovered 142 types of microorganisms living in the pit, including newly identified extremophiles that may hold potential for bioremediation and even pharmaceutical applications. Today, sophisticated hazing systems using spotlights, electronic noise, and other deterrents work continuously to prevent birds from landing on what might be America’s most dangerous lake.
Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana – The Lake That Isn’t a Lake
Despite its name, Lake Pontchartrain isn’t a lake at all, but an estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of America’s most misnamed bodies of water. Covering approximately 630 square miles with an average depth of just 12-14 feet, this massive but shallow “lake” was formed 2,600 to 4,000 years ago when the Mississippi River changed course. What makes Lake Pontchartrain particularly unusual is its brackish nature—neither fully freshwater nor saltwater—creating a unique ecosystem that shifts in salinity depending on wind, tides, and rainfall. The lake is crossed by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which at 23.83 miles holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous bridge over water. Perhaps most intriguing is the lake’s mysterious underwater phenomenon called “jubilees,” rare events where blue crabs, shrimp, fish, and other marine life suddenly crowd into shallow waters, making them easy to harvest. These events occur when oxygen levels drop in deeper parts of the lake, forcing marine life to seek oxygen-rich shallows—a phenomenon observed in only a few places worldwide. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the lake became the subject of intense scientific study as it received 80% of the floodwaters from New Orleans, yet it managed to recover ecologically faster than expected, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Horseshoe Lake, California – The Lake That Kills Trees
In the scenic eastern Sierra Nevada mountains lies Horseshoe Lake, surrounded by an eerie grove of dead trees that create a ghostly landscape unlike anything else in America. This natural phenomenon began in 1989 when trees around the lake mysteriously began dying off, creating a 100-acre “ghost forest” that scientists initially struggled to explain. Researchers eventually discovered that the lake sits atop a dormant volcanic system, and unusually high levels of carbon dioxide were seeping up through the soil from magma chambers below, suffocating the trees’ root systems. CO₂ levels in the soil around Horseshoe Lake measure between 20-and 90%, compared to normal atmospheric levels of 0.04%, creating invisible “gas death zones” that can potentially harm humans who linger too long in low-lying areas. Despite the dead zone, the lake itself remains beautiful and safe for swimming on most days. What makes Horseshoe Lake particularly strange is that it serves as a visible barometer for volcanic activity deep beneath the surface, with tree kill zones expanding or contracting based on subterranean gas emissions, giving scientists valuable data about the Long Valley Caldera’s activity patterns. Warning signs now alert visitors to avoid sitting in depressions around the lake during times of low wind, as invisible CO₂ can pool in these areas and cause dizziness or even asphyxiation.
Lost Lake, Oregon – The Lake That Disappears
Lost Lake in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest performs a disappearing act that seems to defy logical explanation. Every spring, the lake fills with water from rainfall and snowmelt, creating a picturesque 85-acre lake that reaches depths of about 45 feet. But as summer approaches, the lake begins a mysterious vanishing process, draining like a bathtub until it completely disappears by fall, transforming into a meadow. This annual phenomenon occurs because the lake sits atop a highly porous volcanic landscape full of lava tubes. The most visible drain is a 6-foot-wide hole on the north side of the lake that functions like a bathtub drain, funneling water into an underground lava tube system that scientists believe eventually feeds into springs that emerge miles away. What makes Lost Lake particularly fascinating is that despite numerous attempts to plug these natural drains (local folklore mentions early settlers trying to fill the holes with car parts and other debris), the lake continues its annual disappearing act undeterred. During its filled phase, the lake hosts a thriving ecosystem of fish, amphibians, and aquatic plants that have adapted to this unusual cycle—the organisms either migrate or enter dormant states when the water recedes. This natural phenomenon demonstrates how volcanic landscapes continue to shape environments long after eruptions have ceased, creating hydrological systems that seem to operate by magic rather than science.
Lake Nyos, Nevada – The Exploding Lake
Lake Nyos in remote northeastern Nevada stands as one of the most scientifically intriguing and potentially dangerous lakes in America. Formed in a volcanic crater, this deep lake has a unique property that earned it classification as a “limnic eruption-prone” water body—one of only three known in the world. The lake accumulates large amounts of carbon dioxide in its depths, released from volcanic activity beneath the lakebed. This gas remains dissolved in the water due to the intense pressure at depth, but under certain conditions, the lake can experience what scientists call a limnic eruption or “lake overturn.” During such an event, dissolved CO₂ suddenly releases in a massive degassing process, similar to what happens when shaking a carbonated beverage. What makes Lake Nyos particularly strange is the invisible threat it represents—the colorless, odorless CO₂ cloud it could potentially release would be heavier than air and could suffocate wildlife and people in surrounding areas. To prevent such a catastrophe, scientists installed a degassing system consisting of pipes that safely release accumulated carbon dioxide in controlled amounts. The lake is now constantly monitored with sophisticated equipment as part of one of America’s most unusual hazard mitigation programs. Despite this ominous property, Lake Nyos features strikingly clear blue waters and is surrounded by scenic desert landscape, creating a deceptively peaceful appearance for a body of water sometimes called “the lake that could explode.”
Onondaga Lake, New York – From America’s Most Polluted to Ecological Recovery
Onondaga Lake near Syracuse, New York, tells one of the most dramatic environmental turnaround stories in American history. Once considered among the most polluted lakes in the United States, it earned the unflattering nickname “the most polluted lake in America” during the 1970s after nearly a century of industrial waste dumping that included an estimated 165,000 pounds of mercury. What makes Onondaga Lake particularly strange is its phoenix-like recovery and the unique historical layers of contamination that created a toxic timeline visible in its sediment. Core samples from the lakebed reveal distinct layers of pollutants that correspond to different industrial eras, from early soda ash production to chlor-alkali manufacturing, creating what scientists call a “chemical stratigraphy” that reads like a dark history book of American industrialization. The lake’s recovery began with the Clean Water Act and intensified with a $1.1 billion cleanup effort that removed 2.2 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment—enough to fill 580 Olympic swimming pools. Perhaps most remarkable is the lake’s current ecological state: once so polluted that swimming was banned for 75 years (1940-2015), Onondaga now supports more than 65 fish species and has become a model for large-scale ecological restoration. The dramatic transformation from industrial wasteland to recovering ecosystem has made it a living laboratory for scientists studying how severely damaged aquatic systems can recover, providing hope for other contaminated waterways worldwide.
Spotted Lake, Washington – Sacred Healing Waters
In eastern Washington near the Canadian border lies one of America’s most visually distinctive bodies of water, Spotted Lake. During summer months, this mineral-rich lake evaporates to reveal hundreds of small, circular pools of varying colors—blue, green, yellow, and even purple—creating a natural polka-dot pattern that appears almost artificial in its geometric precision. The strange appearance results from the lake’s extraordinary mineral concentration, containing some of the highest levels of magnesium sulfate, calcium, and sodium sulfates in any natural water body in the world. The minerals become concentrated in these distinct pools as water evaporates, with different mineral compositions creating the various colors. What makes Spotted Lake particularly unusual beyond its appearance is its significant cultural importance to local Indigenous peoples, who have considered it a sacred healing site for thousands of years. The Okanagan Nation knows it as Kliluk, and its waters have been used for therapeutic treatments of various ailments. During World War I, the minerals from the lake were harvested to manufacture ammunition, with up to a ton extracted daily. Today, the lake is protected as a cultural site with limited public access. Scientists continue to study the lake’s unique microbiome, which includes organisms that thrive in extreme mineral concentrations and may have applications in biotechnology. The lake’s appearance changes dramatically with the seasons, from a normal-looking body of water in winter to its famous spotted formation in late summer, creating a natural calendar marked by visual transformation.
Hanging Lake, Colorado – Defying Gravity
Perched seemingly impossibly on the edge of Glenwood Canyon, Hanging Lake in Colorado presents one of the most visually stunning and geologically perplexing lakes in America. What makes this emerald-green lake extraordinary is its location—situated at 7,000 feet elevation and clinging to the edge of a cliff, it seems to defy the natural tendency of water to flow downhill. The lake formed through a rare geological process where travertine deposits gradually built up from mineral-rich water, creating a natural dam that allows the lake to exist in this precarious position. The water’s striking clarity and vibrant turquoise hue result from travertine deposits on the lake bed that reflect light in unusual ways, giving the appearance of an otherworldly grotto rather than a typical mountain lake. Perhaps most unusual is the lake’s fragile ecosystem centered around the “hanging garden”—moss and algae communities that grow on the edge of the lake and along the waterfalls that feed it. These delicate formations contribute to the ongoing
Conclusion:
While the ocean may hold its share of enigmas and awe-inspiring wonders, these 13 U.S. lakes prove that some of the most fascinating and bizarre natural phenomena can be found inland. From lakes that vanish each year to others that kill trees or turn bubblegum pink, these bodies of water challenge our understanding of geology, biology, and even human impact on the environment. They remind us that the Earth’s most curious secrets aren’t always hidden in the depths of the sea, but often lie just beneath the surface of the lakes in our backyard. Whether shaped by volcanic activity, industrial history, or rare ecosystems, each of these lakes tells a story as strange and compelling as any deep-sea mystery.
As a little kid, I fell in love with nature, wildlife, and animals. Living in the USA, South Africa, Italy, China and Germany gave me the opportunity to discover the world's Wildlife. My favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Siberian Tigers, and Great White Sharks.
I'm a certified PADI Open Water Diver, went to Everest Base Camp and Trekked Gorillas in Uganda. I hold a Master of Science in Economics and Finance.
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