Northbrook Lakes

Lakes Close to Northbrook

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 Northbrook. As it turns out, when you come to Northbrook there are some great spots when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

It doesn’t matter if you’re itching to paddleboard, get active with wakeboarding, go swimming, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Northbrook provide you with lots of beautiful locations for aquatic adventures. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Pack up your vehicle with sunscreen and a cooler then set out on your next vacation to find a brand new number one spot on the water!

Lakes Near Northbrook

Things to Do at the Lake

When you visit a lake near Northbrook there are many activities that can be enjoyed by families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.

Every getaway at the lake gives you everything from fun to relaxation.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If paddling is your thing, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake with a public launch and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Fishing. For those that love to fish, 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 roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Pack a picnic basket. Northbrook’s lakes provide all sorts of excellent picnic areas where you can enjoy tasty treats, or you could just do some cheese and crackers as you enjoy the view. For a romantic evening, a picnic on the beach should be suitably romantic.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different based on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, or if there are any activities planned. However, we put together a list with some of our favorite ideas for your watery excursion so you have everything you need!

The basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the vacation, the following list of items should be an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • UV protection
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Bug spray
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Tennis shoes
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • Swimsuits

More lake items

Take into consideration your planned activities for the day and your guests, the list of gear will likely be helpful and adding to your checklist prior to leaving.

  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Something to read
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Goggles or masks
  • Corkscrew
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Toys for the beach
  • Bait

Lake Safety Tips

While spending a weekend at a lake in Northbrook can provide tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water

Some More Tips

Few people get a chance to visit the amazing lakes around Northbrook and likely have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Of course, each lake near Northbrook will possess their own character and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to look into when making plans which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Find a marina. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local will typically allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches might be swarmed with tourists. To find some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the biggest, most popular beach!
  3. Make the most of unique local resources. If there’s time for a longer getaway, look for local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to camp directly on the water without breaking the bank.