Napa Lakes

Lakes Around Napa

It’s summertime and that means it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Napa. A lake vacation is amazing for those who love getting outside too, as they are a great way to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are countless great reasons for making a trip to a lake in Napa this summer – the water is refreshing on hot days, enjoyable summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Browse through the data below and have a look your nearby locations from swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Lakes Near Napa

Things to Do at the Lake

A day trip, or a longer getaway provides an almost limitless list of things to do for families or couples.

Any stay at the lake gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Fishing. For anglers, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or fishing from shore.

Grab a board. If paddling is your thing, load up your preferred vessel and find yourself a lake near Napa that has a public boat launch you can use and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty in all it’s glory.

Picnic time. Napa’s lakes offer a wealth of great picnic areas where you can enjoy culinary delights, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage by the water. Should you be with someone you want to impress, a picnic on the beach should put a smile on their face.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can vary quite a bit when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the time of year, the weather, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve put together a list of popular lake and beach-related necessities that you can use as a checklist for your getaway.

Common lake items

If the plan is to be in the sun for the majority of the day, the following list of items is a good place to start for essentials that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Sunblock
  • Food
  • Proper footwear
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)

More lake items

Consider your planned activities at the lake and who will be joining you, the items below might also prove useful and worth packing before hitting the road.

  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Corkscrew
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Goggles or masks
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Tackle box

Lake Safety Tips

Of course your getaway on the lake should be ample amounts of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some important safety tips.

  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions

More Napa Lake Tips

When you make a trip to the one of a kind lakes near Napa, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that will make your trip plan far more successful. As an example, every individual lake near Napa is going to have their own qualities which makes it important to take into account what will make for an enjoyable adventure when planning yours.

  1. Do homework on the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally the beaches near Napa can get extremely crowded. If you want some more peace and quiet, do some digging on a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most happening beach!
  2. Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or tubing with the kids. Using a search engine can typically allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
  3. Make the most of unique local resources. If there’s time for a lengthier getaway, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.