Lakes Near West Lafayette
The weather is warm so it’s time to start planning your upcoming summer adventure. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near West Lafayette. A lake vacation can be perfect for those that enjoy wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.
There are numerous brilliant reasons for making a trip to a lake in West Lafayette while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment such as boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are ideal for working on your tan. Take a look at the table directly beneath this paragraph and have a look your options including swimming lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.
Lakes Close to West Lafayette
Lake Activities
On a day trip to a lake near West Lafayette you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by groups of all types. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel or AirBnB to make for a bigger, better getaway.
Here are some of our top picks for activities when you visit a West Lafayette lake:
Swimming. The swimming lakes near West Lafayette provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the big kids and little ones, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area prior to packing the car and the family! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach!
Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you want a little physical activity, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake with a public launch and start paddling around to soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.
Picnic time. The lakes near West Lafayette provide a wealth of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some portable delicacies, or you could just do some cheese and crackers by the water. For a romantic evening, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.
Preparing for a Day on the Lake
Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. However, we put together a list for some ideas for your watery excursion so you have everything you need!
Common lake items
When the plan is to be outdoors for the majority of the day, the following list of items is an excellent place to start for essentials to have on hand.
- Flip flops or water shoes
- A blanket or sheet
- Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
- Sunblock
- Travel dinnerware and cups
- Something to eat
- Portable phone charger
- Eye protection, a hat, or both
- Towels and dry clothes
- Bug spray
More lake gear
Take into consideration the itinerary for the day and what your party looks like, the following items will likely be helpful and worth a quick spot check before you get on the road.
- Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
- Fishing and boating licenses
- Corkscrew
- Something to read
- Life jackets
- Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
- Worms or other bait
- Baby gear (if necessary)
- Fishing gear
- Pool noodles, rafts, floats
Lake Safety
While spending a weekend to your favorite body of water can be lots of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some important safety tips.
- Always wear sunblock
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
- Make sure no one swims alone
- Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
- Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
- Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
Some More Tips
Few people get the opportunity to make their way to the lakes near West Lafayette and likely have a lot of questions on ways to maximize their fun. Certainly, each lake near West Lafayette will have their own character and trappings, but it’s worth noting a handful of items to review while making plans that might help you end up with a winning itinerary.
- Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near West Lafayette can get exceptionally crowded. To find some more space to spread out, research multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most happening beach!
- Maximize the best local resources. When there’s time for a lengthier trip, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
- Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can typically help you locate options for renting the perfect boat.