Bettendorf Lakes

Lakes Around Bettendorf

Sometimes you should gather your family and friends and make time to be on the water. As it turns out, when you come to Bettendorf you have some options when it comes to spending time on the lake.

There are numerous brilliant reasons to visit a lake in Bettendorf during the warmer months – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Scan the local listings below to see your nearby locations including small lakes to all sports lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Near Bettendorf

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip, or a longer trip provides a nearly boundless list of things to do for couples or families.

A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Bettendorf provide all kinds of fun for the youngsters, 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 just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach!

Start paddling. If you want a little physical activity, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake that has a boat launch and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a ski boat, why not spend the day zipping around the lake showing off your water sports skills? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes give you all kinds of options.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can vary quite a bit depending on which lake you choose, when you decide to go, and your plan of attack. For your convenience we’ve built out a short list of popular lake and beach-related necessities for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

Lake basics

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the vast majority of the vacation, the list below is a good starting point when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • UV protection
  • Beach blanket
  • Something to eat
  • Reserve clothes
  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Swimsuits
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Portable phone charger
  • Portable stereo

Specialty lake gear

The list of items below could be helpful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. It’s also worth checking so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Books
  • Worms or other bait
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Toys for the beach
  • Tackle box
  • Fishing and boating licenses

Lake Safety

Of course spending a weekend on a lake in Bettendorf should be tons of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming

More Bettendorf Lake Tips

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes near Bettendorf, there are a few things that will make your trip plan far more rewarding. As an example, every lake is going to have unique qualities so it is important to think about what will make for an enjoyable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. Maximize unique assets in the area. If you have time for a lengthier getaway, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches can get extremely crowded. To find more space to spread out, 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 happening sandy party scene!
  3. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can usually allow you to find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.