Highland Park Lakes

Lakes Near Highland Park

When the weather is right you just need to pack up and find a spot by the water. Fortunately, when you visit Highland Park there are lots of options for getting on, or in the water.

It doesn’t matter if you’re itching to go kayaking, get active with watersports, swim, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Highland Park offer you numerous opportunities for aquatic activities. Scan the table below to see your options from swimming lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Lakes Near Highland Park

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

On a day trip to a lake near Highland Park 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 to a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to enjoy yourself more fully.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you arrive at a lake near Highland Park:

Get a little crazy with the water sports. Should you be able to get access to a fast boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Take the family out for some wakeboarding or knee boarding as the all sports lakes give you all kinds of options.

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 out on a boat or fishing from shore.

Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Highland Park will provide tons of laughs and games for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area before you make the trip! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t offer as much to do as a glorious public beach on a lake near Highland Park!

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Everyone’s beach getaway will be unique depending on the lake you’re heading to, what the weather is going to be, what your goals are for the getaway. While every trip is its own animal, we put together a list with some of our favorite ideas for your watery excursion so everything goes smoothly!

General items

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the majority of the day, the following list of items should be an excellent starting point when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Portable phone charger
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Backup clothing
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Radio or speaker
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunscreen

More lake gear

Take into consideration your planned activities at the lake and your guests, the list of gear could make your day more enjoyable and worth a quick spot check before you make the trip.

  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Games for the beach
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Kindle
  • Your tackle box
  • Wine key
  • Goggles or masks
  • Worms or other bait

Lake Safety Checklist

Of course spending a weekend to your favorite body of water can provide lots of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. A day on the lake means safety first so here are some important safety tips.

  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Don’t swim alone

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Highland Park

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes around Highland Park, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that can make your trip plan substantially more successful. For example, each individual lake near Highland Park has their own qualities which makes it important to take into account what you need to make an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Maximize unique assets in the area. If you have time for a longer stay, look for local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to stay directly on the water without breaking the bank.
  2. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Highland Park can get extremely crowded. If you want some more peace and quiet, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the busiest, most happening sandy party scene!
  3. Find a marina. Many lakes have local marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search can typically allow you to locate a marina that has what you need.