Modesto Lakes

Lakes Close to Modesto

When the weather is right you should gather your family and friends and make time to be near the water. A lake vacation is amazing for those that enjoy the outdoors too, as they are a great way to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking to float in a tube with a book, buzz around doing water skiing, swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Modesto offer you plentiful options for aquatic adventures. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Load up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a cooler then make the trip this weekend and discover your own number one spot on the water!

Lakes Close to Modesto

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip to the lake, or a more lengthy trip provides an almost boundless list of things to do for people of all stripes.

Here are some of our top picks for activities when you make your way to a lake near Modesto:

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports talents? Hit the water and go wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of choices.

Start paddling. If you like to paddle around, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake that has a boat launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Picnic time. Modesto’s lakes provide all sorts of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some portable delicacies, or you could just do some cheese and crackers as you enjoy the view. For a romantic evening, this plan should put a smile on their face.

Lake Getaway Prep

A day at the lake can honestly be all over the map depending on which lake you’re going to, the season, and what you want to do while you’re there. However, we’ve assembled a rundown of some of the most common lake necessities that you can use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

General items

If the plan is to be in the sun for the majority of the weekend, our list of provisions below should be a good place to start when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Beach blanket
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • USB charger
  • Reserve clothing
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • A cooler with water bottles
  • Sneakers

More lake items

The list of items below could be helpful for trips to the lake depending on what your plans are. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Fishing gear
  • Bait
  • Games for the beach
  • Life jackets
  • Kindle
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Wine key

Lake Safety Tips

Of course spending a weekend to the lake can provide tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some important safety tips.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices

More Modesto Lake Tips

Some people may not get the opportunity to visit the lakes near Modesto and might have a few questions about how to make the most of their time there. Of course, no matter where you go each lake is going to possess their own character and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a few things to look into while planning which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. No boat, no problem. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local can usually help you locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  2. Make the most of unique local resources. When you have time for a lengthier getaway, look for local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds that offer the ability to camp directly on the water at an affordable price.
  3. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near Modesto can get exceptionally crowded. To find a little more privacy, research a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, then look for the biggest, most popular beach!