Urbana Lakes

Lakes Near Urbana

The weather is warm so it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming summer adventure. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Urbana. As it turns out, when you make a trip to Urbana there are quite a few options for getting on, or in the water.

There are countless brilliant motivations for a getaway to a lake in Urbana this summer – the cool water for swimming, fun summer entertainment like boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Scan the data directly beneath this paragraph and see your options including swimming lakes to all sports lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Near Urbana

Lake Activities

A day trip, or a longer getaway offers an almost boundless list of things to do for people of all stripes.

Any stay on or in the water gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Urbana offer tons of fun for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active 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 before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach!

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a fast boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports talents? Take the family out for some wakeboarding or knee boarding as the all sports lakes give you all kinds of choices.

Picnic time. The lakes near Urbana offer many excellent picnic areas for you to pack up some tasty treats, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage by the water. If you’re with that special someone, this plan is hard to beat.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, and what you want to do for entertainment. However, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your next summer trip to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

Common lake items

When you’re out on a lake near Urbana you will likely need to take along several of the things in our list below to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and having fun.

  • Garbage bags
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Swimsuits
  • Proper footwear
  • Insect repellant
  • Snacks
  • Something to dry off with
  • Reserve clothes
  • Radio or speaker

Additional lake stuff

The list of items below could be helpful for trips to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Fishing gear
  • Something to read
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Wine key
  • Tackle box
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Swimming goggles
  • Worms or other bait

Lake Safety

While a day at your favorite body of water should be lots of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. A day on the lake means safety first so these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming

Some More Tips

Not everyone has had the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Urbana and likely have a few questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, every lake will possess unique qualities and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to look into when planning that might help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches might be very busy. If you want some more peace and quiet, do some digging on a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are 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!
  2. Find a marina. Many lakes have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or tubing with the kids. Using a search engine will usually help you locate options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Make the most of the best assets in the area. If you have time for a lengthier trip, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.