Lakes Around Waterloo
When the weather is right you should pack up and find a spot by the water. Fortunately, when you visit Waterloo there are quite a few options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to go kayaking, buzz around doing watersports, go swimming, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Waterloo provide you with plentiful options for outdoor adventures. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Pack up the car with your fishing gear and a picnic basket then set out this weekend to find your own favorite spot on the water!
Lakes Close to Waterloo
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
When you visit a lake near Waterloo there are many activities that can be enjoyed by families, couples, or with a group of friends. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or make it a long weekend to a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.
Any stay on or in the water offers you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.
Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’re able to get access to a fast boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of options.
Have a picnic. The lakes near Waterloo offer all sorts of excellent picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite foods, or a quick snack as you enjoy the view. If you’re with that special someone, a picnic on the beach is hard to beat.
Start paddling. If you want a little physical activity, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake near Waterloo with a public boat launch you can use and get out and soak up the scenery on the waterfront.
Lake Checklist
A lake day itinerary can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration which lake you choose, the time of year, the weather, and what you want to do while you’re there. For your convenience we’ve put together a list of popular lake and beach-related items that you can use as a checklist for your getaway.
Lake basics
For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take along many of these things so that you’ll be feeling good, healthy, and having fun.
- Bottle opener
- Food
- Travel dinnerware and cups
- Sunblock
- Bathing suits
- Dry shirt
- Beach blanket
- Garbage bags
- Eye protection, a hat, or both
- Insect repellant
More lake stuff
The gear in the list below could be helpful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. It’s also worth checking so you’re not missing something critical.
- Baby gear (if necessary)
- Swimming goggles
- Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
- Worms or other bait
- Corkscrew
- Fishing gear
- Games for the beach
- Life jackets
- Your favorite magazine or book
- Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
Lake Safety Checklist
While your getaway at the lake can provide 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 general safety tips to keep in mind.
- Always swim with a buddy
- Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
- Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
- Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
- Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
- Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
Some More Tips
When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes around Waterloo, there are a few things that will make your itinerary substantially more successful. Case in point, each individual lake has unique qualities which makes it important to take into account what will make for an enjoyable getaway when planning yours.
- Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search will usually allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
- Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Waterloo can get extremely crowded. If you want more space to spread out, research a variety of lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!
- Maximize unique local resources. When there’s time for a lengthier getaway, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to stay near or even on the water at an affordable price.
