Oak Park Lakes

Lakes Around Oak Park

Every once in a while you should pack up and find a spot by the water. A lake getaway can be perfect for those that enjoy getting outside too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

There are countless great arguments to visit a lake in Oak Park while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment such as boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Oak Park have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. So what are you waiting for? Pack up your vehicle with sunscreen and a cooler then set out your next day off and discover your own favorite spot on the water!

Nearby Lakes for Oak Park

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

On a day trip to a lake near Oak Park you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by families, couples, or with a group of friends. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to enjoy yourself more fully.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you make your way to a lake near Oak Park:

Picnic time. Oak Park’s lakes provide many top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some portable delicacies, or you could just do some cheese and crackers by the water. For a romantic evening, this plan should be suitably romantic.

Get in the water. The swimming lakes near Oak Park provide all kinds of fun for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on before you make the trip! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach!

Start paddling. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake that has a boat launch and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different depending on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, and what you want to do for entertainment. While every trip is its own animal, we’ve created a list for some ideas for your next trip to a lake near Oak Park to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

General items

When you’re out on a lake near Oak Park you’ll probably want to bring several of the items below to make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and getting the most out of your getaway.

  • A blanket or sheet
  • Bathing suits
  • Bug spray
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • Towels
  • Sunblock
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt

Additional lake stuff

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

  • Legal flotation devices
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Kindle
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Corkscrew
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Your tackle box
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Worms or other bait

Staying Safe on a Lake

Of course spending a weekend on the lake should be lots of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. A day on the lake means safety first so these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Always wear sunblock
  • 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
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices

More Oak Park Lake Tips

Not everyone has had a chance to make their way to the lakes near Oak Park and might have a lot of questions regarding planning. Certainly, any body of water is going to have their own character and surroundings, but here are a handful of items to look into when assembling your itinerary which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally beaches can get extremely crowded. If you want a little more privacy, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!
  2. Maximize unique local resources. If you have time for a lengthier getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the ability to stay near or even on the water without breaking the bank.
  3. Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. 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. Using a search engine will typically help you find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.