Lakes Close to Champaign
When the weather is right you should gather your family and friends and make time to be on the water. A lake getaway is amazing for people that enjoy getting outside too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking to paddleboard, buzz around doing water skiing, swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Champaign provide you with plentiful beautiful locations for aquatic activities. So what are you waiting for? Pack up the car with your beach goodies and a picnic basket then make the trip this weekend and discover your own number one location on a lake!
Nearby Lakes for Champaign
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
A day trip, or a longer getaway offers a nearly endless list of activities for families, couples, or even those seeking some quality alone time.
Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you make your way to a lake near Champaign:
Have a picnic. The lakes near Champaign provide a wealth of excellent picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite foods, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage while enjoying the scenery. Should you be with someone you want to impress, this plan is hard to beat.
Grab a board. If you want a little physical activity, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake near Champaign with a public launch and start paddling around to soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.
Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Champaign will offer all kinds of fun and excitement for the big kids and little ones, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t offer as much to do as a glorious public beach!
Checklist for a Day at the Lake
A day at the lake can vary quite a bit when you take into consideration which lake you choose, the season, and what you want to do while you’re there. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of our favorite lake necessities that you can use as a checklist for your getaway.
Common lake items
For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take some of the things in our list below so that you’ll be feeling good, healthy, and getting the most out of your getaway.
- Cords and a charger for portable devices
- Bottle opener
- Sunblock
- A cooler and drinks
- Travel dinnerware and cups
- Something to dry off with
- Bug spray
- Bluetooth speaker
- A beach blanket and umbrella
- Swimsuits
Additional lake gear
The following items might prove useful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check for some of these before heading out.
- Baby gear (if necessary)
- Rafts and floaties
- Goggles or masks
- Kindle
- Legal flotation devices
- Corkscrew
- Worms or other bait
- Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
- Fishing poles, nets, etc.
- Toys for the beach
Lake Safety Checklist
While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Champaign, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. These safety tips can ensure that you and your family remains safe while around the lake.
- 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
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
- Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
- Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
- Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
- Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
More Champaign Lake Tips
When you make a trip to the one of a kind lakes near Champaign, there are a few things that can make your itinerary much more rewarding. As an example, every lake is going to have their own environment which makes it important to consider what you need to make a memorable getaway when planning yours.
- Maximize unique local resources. When there’s time for a lengthier getaway, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the ability to stay directly on the water for a reasonable price.
- Rent a boat. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a wild day of wakeboarding. Asking a local will typically allow you to find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
- Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches can get very crowded. To find more space to yourself, 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 popular sandy party scene!
