Lauwersmeer is a large freshwater lake of approximately 2,000 hectares located in the northern Netherlands, straddling the provinces of Friesland and Groningen. It was created on 25 May 1969 when the former Lauwers Sea was enclosed and separated from the Wadden Sea, transforming a saltwater body into a freshwater lake that now forms the centerpiece of a 6,000-hectare national park established in 2003. The lake sits at the edge of the Wadden Sea and is characterized by open water, shallow waterways, wide reed beds, rugged grasslands, and small islands.

Canoeing and kayaking are well-supported activities on the lake. Rental equipment is available from outfitters near the area, including De Lauwer Sail and Surf School located adjacent to the campground at Lauwersoog. Four marinas serve the lake: Lunegat in Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen, Jachthaven Lauwersmeer in Oostmahorn, Hunzegat in Zoutkamp, and Noordergat at Lauwersoog. Free slipways are available on Strandweg along the Zoutkamperril. Access to the Wadden Sea is possible through the Robbengatsluis lock at Lauwersoog.

Paddlers can connect to broader waterway networks via the Lits-Lauwersmeer route, which links Dokkum with Drachten and passes through the Noardlike Fryske Walden national landscape. The route has a maximum air draft of 2.95 metres due to fixed bridges. The Staande Mastroute also passes through the area, offering connections toward Leeuwarden via Dokkum or toward Delfzijl via Groningen.

The lake supports exceptional birdlife, with over 100 recorded species including marsh harriers and bitterns. Hundreds of thousands of migratory waders pass through each year, and large numbers of geese winter in the area. White-tailed eagles are regular visitors. The surrounding landscape is kept open through grazing, maintaining wide sightlines across the water.

Lauwersmeer National Park holds official Dark Sky Park status, making it one of the darker locations in the Netherlands. Artificial lighting is minimal throughout the park, and the Milky Way is visible on clear nights. Access conditions within the park, excluding the military training area Marnewaard, are the same at night as during the day.