Flagstaff Lakes

Lakes Close to Flagstaff

It’s summertime and that means it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming grand getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Flagstaff. Fortunately, when you visit Flagstaff there are lots of options when it comes to spending time on the lake.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to go kayaking, buzz around doing water skiing, go swimming, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Flagstaff provide you with plentiful opportunities for aquatic adventures. Take a look at the table below to have a look the options from small lakes to all sports lakes for you to enjoy.

Nearby Lakes for Flagstaff

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip to the lake, or a more lengthy getaway offers a nearly boundless list of things to do for families or couples.

A day, weekend, or a week at the lake offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Start paddling. For those in search of some exercise, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake with a boat launch and start paddling around to soak up nature’s beauty in all it’s glory.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’ve got 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? Take the family out for some wakeboarding or knee boarding as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of choices.

Go fishing. For anglers, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water 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.

Lake Checklist

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on the lake you’re heading to, what time of year it is, and what you want to do for entertainment. However, we’ve created a list that will give some ideas for your next summer trip so you have everything you need!

The basics

For a day spent on the water you will likely need to bring several of these things to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and having fun.

  • Sunblock
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Food
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Garbage bags
  • Something to dry off with
  • Beach blanket
  • Bathing suits
  • Dry shirt
  • Portable stereo

Specialty lake stuff

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing when at the water and your guests, the items below will likely be helpful and worth packing prior to departure.

  • Legal flotation devices
  • Books
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Corkscrew
  • Your tackle box
  • Worms or other bait
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Toys for the beach
  • Paper towels and sanitizer

Lake Safety Tips

Of course spending a weekend at the lake can provide ample amounts of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Always wear sunblock
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes near Flagstaff, there are a few things that will make your trip plan far more successful. For example, every individual lake is going to have unique features which makes it important to think about what will make for a memorable trip when planning yours.

  1. Make the most of unique local resources. If you have time for a longer getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Flagstaff might be really busy. To find a little more privacy, research a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. No boat, no problem. 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 a relaxing day of fishing or a day of watersports. Doing a quick Google search can usually allow you to locate a marina that has what you need.