Peoria Lakes

Lakes Around Peoria

The weather is warm and that means it’s time to start planning your upcoming summer adventure. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Peoria. Lucky for you, when you visit Peoria you have some options for spending time on the lake.

There are countless brilliant motivations for a getaway to a lake in Peoria this summer – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Peoria have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Load up the car with your fishing gear and a cooler then hit the road your next day off and discover your own number one spot on the water!

Lakes Close to Peoria

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Peoria you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all persuasions. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or make it a long weekend to a hotel or AirBnB to make for a bigger, better getaway.

Any stay at the lake gives you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Have a picnic. The lakes near Peoria offer all sorts of great picnic areas for you to pack up some foods, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy while enjoying the scenery. For a romantic evening, this plan should put a smile on their face.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Water sports. If you’ve got access to a speed boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports skills? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the all sports lakes offer you a number of options.

Lake Checklist

A day at the lake can be very different depending on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. However, we’ve created a list that will give some ideas for your next summer trip so everything goes smoothly!

The basics

When you’re out on a lake near Peoria you will likely need to bring some of the items below to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and having fun.

  • Bug spray
  • Portable phone charger
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Swimsuits
  • Backup clothing
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Something to dry off with
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Travel dinnerware and cups

More lake gear

The following items might prove useful for excursions to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Books
  • Toys for the beach
  • Swimming goggles
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Corkscrew
  • Your tackle box

Lake Safety

Of course a day at a lake in Peoria can be ample amounts of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some important safety tips.

  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating

More Peoria Lake Tips

Some people may not get a chance to make their way to the amazing lakes around Peoria and likely have a few questions on ways to maximize their fun. Obviously, every lake will have their own character and trappings, but here are a few things to look into while making plans that might help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Do homework on the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally the beaches near Peoria might be packed with tourists. To find more space to spread out, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
  2. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy fishing with family and friends or tubing with the kids. Doing a quick Google search can typically allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
  3. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When you have time for a longer getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp right on the water at an affordable price.