Lakes Around Amherst
It’s summertime so it’s time to plan your next family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Amherst. As it turns out, when you make a trip to Amherst there are lots of options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.
There are countless brilliant reasons to visit a lake in Amherst while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer activities like boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Scan the data directly beneath this paragraph to see your nearby locations from small lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.
Lakes Close to Amherst
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
A day trip, or a more lengthy getaway provides an almost limitless list of activities for people of all stripes.
Here are some of our top picks for activities when you arrive at a lake near Amherst:
Partake in some 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? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the lakes near Amherst give you several choices.
Go fishing. For anglers, 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.
Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Amherst provide tons of laughs and games for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach on a lake near Amherst!
Lake Getaway Prep
A day at the lake can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and what you want to do while you’re there. However, we’ve built out a short list of our favorite lake and beach-related necessities for you to use as a checklist for your getaway.
Common lake items
When you’re out on a lake near Amherst you will likely need to take along several of these things to make sure you’re feeling good, healthy, and relaxed.
- A sunhat or glasses
- Dry shirt
- Towels and dry clothes
- A receptacle for trash
- Beach blanket
- Cords and a charger for portable devices
- Proper footwear
- Swimsuits
- Bluetooth speaker
- A cooler and drinks
Additional lake stuff
Take into consideration your planned activities for the day and who will be joining you, the items below might also prove useful and worth a quick spot check before you get on the road.
- Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
- Fishing gear
- Something to read
- Wine key
- Toys for the beach
- Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
- Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
- Bait
- Rafts for the kids
- Life jackets
Lake Safety Checklist
Of course a day at your favorite body of water should be lots of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. When you decide to spend a day at the lake these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
- Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
- Always wear sunblock
- Keep your distance from wildlife
- Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
- Don’t swim alone
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
More Ideas for Lake Fun
Some people may not get the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Amherst and might have a few questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, any body of water will possess their own character and trappings, but here are a few things to review while assembling your itinerary that might help start your trip on the right foot.
- Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes the beaches near Amherst could be very busy. To find some space to yourself, 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, search out the biggest, most happening beach!
- Maximize the best local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, 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.
- No boat, no problem. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search will typically allow you to find a marina that has what you need.