Best Lakes for Boating Near Cedar Rapids
Iowa
9 boating lakes within driving distance of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ranked by water quality and boating-specific filters. Filtered for at least 100 acres and public access. The largest lakes with boat-worthy water are listed first.
A moderate cluster of 9 measured lakes lies within reach of Cedar Rapids. Pleasant Creek Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings of the set.
The boating-specific ranking layered on top of the readings is what produces the list below: a lake with clean readings that does not also support the boating use case is less useful than a decent one that does.
| # | Lake | County | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pleasant Creek Lake | Linn | 12.6 mi | 3.6 ft | - |
| 2 | Lake Macbride | Johnson | 13.6 mi | 2.9 ft | - |
| 3 | Cedar Lake | Linn | 0.9 mi | 0.9 ft | - |
| 4 | Lake Belva Deer | Keokuk | 47.7 mi | 2.1 ft | - |
| 5 | Lily Pond | Iowa | 16.8 mi | - | - |
| 6 | Hartwick Lake | Delaware | 34.2 mi | - | - |
| 7 | Quaker Mill Pond | Delaware | 38.4 mi | - | - |
| 8 | Wiese Slough | Muscatine | 39.9 mi | - | - |
| 9 | Backbone Lake | Delaware | 44 mi | - | - |
Other activities near Cedar Rapids
Where to stay near Cedar Rapids
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Cedar Rapids — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Cedar Rapids
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Cedar Rapids?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Cedar Rapids — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.