South Chicago Lakes

Lakes Around South Chicago

When the weather is right you should gather your family and friends and make time to be by the water. Lucky for you, when you come to South Chicago you have lots of options for spending time on the lake.

There are numerous great arguments for making a trip to a lake in South Chicago while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in South Chicago have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. So what are you waiting for? Pack up the car with your beach goodies and a cooler then hit the road on your next vacation to find a brand new favorite spot on a lake!

Lakes Near South Chicago

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near South Chicago there are many activities that can be enjoyed by people of all persuasions. You could go for an exciting day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel or AirBnB to make the most of your time unwinding.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you visit a lake near South Chicago:

Picnic time. South Chicago’s lakes gives you the chance to visit many top-notch picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite tasty treats, or you could just do some cheese and crackers while enjoying the scenery. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view should be suitably romantic.

Start paddling. If you like to paddle around, load up your preferred vessel and chart your course to a lake that has a public launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a fast boat, why not get out on the water and start zipping around the lake showing off your water sports expertise? Hit the water and go tubing or skiing as the lakes near South Chicago provide you with a number of options.

Checklist 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, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. While every trip is its own animal, we took the time to make a list with some of our favorite ideas for your lake getaway to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

General items

When you’re out on a lake near South Chicago you’ll probably want to bring some of the items below so that you’ll be safe, comfortable, and getting the most out of your getaway.

  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Sunblock
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Food and snacks
  • Towels
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Insect repellant
  • Dry shirt
  • Beach blanket
  • A cooler with water bottles

More lake gear

The following items can make your life easier for excursions to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check for some of these before heading out.

  • Rafts and floaties
  • Wine key
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Books
  • Games for the beach
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Goggles or masks
  • Bait
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Paper towels and sanitizer

Lake Safety

Of course spending a weekend on your favorite body of water can provide ample amounts of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of 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
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes around South Chicago, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that can make your itinerary much more rewarding. Case in point, every lake is going to have unique environment so it’s important to consider what will make for an unforgettable getaway when planning yours.

  1. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches might be swarmed with beachgoers. To find some more peace and quiet, do some digging on a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are 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. Make the most of unique assets in the area. If you have time for a lengthier trip, look for local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the option to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.
  3. Find a marina. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a day of watersports. Asking a local can typically allow you to locate options for renting the perfect boat.