Bloomington Lakes

Lakes Close to Bloomington

The weather is warm so it’s time to start planning your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Bloomington. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to Bloomington there are quite a few options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

There are many brilliant reasons for a getaway to a lake in Bloomington while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer entertainment such as paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. Some of the lakes in Bloomington have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. So what are you waiting for? Pack up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a cooler then set out on your next vacation and discover your own favorite spot on the water!

Nearby Lakes for Bloomington

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip, or a longer getaway gives you an almost limitless list of activities for people of all stripes.

Any stay on or in the water offers you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Have a picnic. Bloomington’s lakes gives you the chance to visit a wealth of excellent picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite tasty treats, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage as you enjoy the view. Should you be with someone you want to impress, this plan is hard to beat.

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 near Bloomington that has a public launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Water sports. If you’ve got access to a ski boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports talents? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the lakes near Bloomington give you all kinds of choices.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

A lake day itinerary can honestly be all over the map depending on which lake you choose, the season, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of popular go-to items for you to use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

Common lake items

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the vast majority of the vacation, our list of provisions below should be a good place to start when it comes to the necessities you are likely to need.

  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • USB charger
  • Towels
  • Bug spray
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Sunglasses
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Bathing suits
  • Travel dinnerware and cups

Additional lake stuff

The list of items below might prove useful for trips to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Legal flotation devices
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Fishing gear
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Corkscrew
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Books
  • Goggles or masks
  • Rafts for the kids
  • Tackle box

Lake Safety

While your getaway to your favorite body of water should be tons of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. A day on the lake means safety first so these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves

More Bloomington Lake Tips

Not everyone has had the opportunity to make their way to the amazing lakes around Bloomington and might have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, no matter where you go each lake will possess their own character and trappings, but here are a handful of items to look into when making plans that might help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Maximize unique local resources. If you have time for a lengthier trip, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to stay right on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Rent a boat. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or tubing with the kids. Using a search engine will typically allow you to find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  3. Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Bloomington can get very crowded. If you want some space to yourself, do some digging on a variety of lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!