Lakes Close to Coachella
Every once in a while you just need to spend some time on the water. A stay at a lake is perfect for those that enjoy wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.
There are numerous brilliant arguments to visit a lake in Coachella during the warmer months – the water is refreshing on hot days, enjoyable summer activities like boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Coachella have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Browse through the table directly beneath this paragraph and see the nearby locations from small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you to visit.
Lakes Close to Coachella
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
A day trip to the lake, or a longer getaway gives you an almost limitless list of activities for families, couples, or even those seeking some quality alone time.
Here are some of our top picks for activities when you make your way to a Coachella lake:
Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you want a little physical activity, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.
Have a picnic. The lakes near Coachella offer a wealth of great picnic areas for you to pack up some tasty treats, or you could just do some cheese and crackers by the water. If you’re with that special someone, good food and a view should be suitably romantic.
Catch some fish. For anglers, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or tossing a line in from the dock.
How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake
A lake day itinerary can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve assembled a rundown of our favorite lake items for you to use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.
Lake basics
If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the majority of the day, the list below should be a good place to start for essentials that you’ll be happy to have on hand.
- A cooler and drinks
- Bluetooth speaker
- Portable phone charger
- Plates, cups and utensils
- Beach blanket
- Something to dry off with
- Bathing suits
- Eye protection, a hat, or both
- A picnic basket
- Insect repellant
More lake stuff
The following items can make your life easier for trips to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check some of these so you’re not missing something critical.
- Pool noodles, rafts, floats
- Baby gear (if necessary)
- Life jackets
- Bait
- Wine key
- Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
- Your favorite magazine or book
- Fishing poles
- Paper towels and sanitizer
- Fishing and boating licenses
Lake Safety Tips
While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. The following safety protocols can make sure that everyone remains safe while around the lake.
- Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
- Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
- Make sure no one swims alone
- 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
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
More Coachella Lake Tips
Few people get a chance to make their way to the lakes near Coachella and might have a lot of questions regarding planning. Certainly, any body of water is going to have their own character and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a handful of items to review while planning that might help you end up with a winning itinerary.
- No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will usually help you locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
- Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally the beaches near Coachella can get very crowded. To find more space to spread out, research multiple lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the busiest, most happening beach!
- Maximize the best assets in the area. When you have time for a longer getaway, find local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water for a reasonable price.