Gary Lakes

Lakes Close to Gary

It’s summertime so it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming family vacation. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Gary. A stay at a lake is wonderful for those that enjoy the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

There are numerous great motivations for making a trip to a lake in Gary this summer – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment such as wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Gary have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Take a look at the data below to have a look your options including swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Gary

Things to Do at the Lake

A day trip, or a more lengthy trip provides an almost endless amount of stuff for couples or families.

A day, weekend, or a week at the lake gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Gary will provide tons of fun for the kids, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area 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 beautiful public beach on a lake near Gary!

Partake in some water sports. Should you be able to get access to a ski boat, why not spend the day kicking up a wake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Take the family out for some tubing or skiing as the local lakes provide you with several options.

Fishing. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Everyone’s beach getaway will be unique based on which lake you go to, what the weather is going to be, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. For your benefit, we took the time to make a list with some of our favorite ideas for your next trip to a lake near Gary to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

General items

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take along several of these things so that you’ll be safe, comfortable, and enjoying your time.

  • Bathing suits
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Food
  • Proper footwear
  • Bug spray
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Portable stereo
  • Reserve clothes
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Beach blanket

More lake items

The gear in the list below could be helpful for excursions to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check for some of these so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Books
  • Fishing poles
  • Wine key
  • Fishing and boating licenses

Staying Safe on a Lake

While a day at your favorite body of water should be tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes around Gary, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your itinerary substantially more rewarding. Case in point, each lake has unique environment which makes it important to take into account what you need to make an unforgettable adventure as you plan yours.

  1. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When there’s time for a lengthier getaway, look for local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds that offer the option to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally the beaches near Gary can get extremely crowded. To find more space to yourself, research multiple nearby beaches and lakes 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!
  3. Rent a boat. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or tubing with the kids. Doing a quick Google search can usually help you find a marina that has what you need.