Overland Park Lakes

Lakes Close to Overland Park

When the weather is right you should gather your family and friends and make time to be on the water. Fortunately, when you visit Overland Park there are quite a few great spots when it comes to spending time on the lake.

There are many great motivations for making a trip to a lake in Overland Park while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. Some of the lakes in Overland Park have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. So what are you waiting for? Load up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a picnic basket then set out this weekend to find a brand new number one location on the water!

Lakes Close to Overland Park

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Overland Park you’ll find all kinds of things to do for groups of all types. You could go for an exciting day trip or take a longer vacation to a hotel or AirBnB to make for a bigger, better getaway.

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

Go fishing. For anglers, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re out on a boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Picnic time. Overland Park’s lakes offer a wealth of great 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. Should you be with someone you want to impress, a picnic on the beach should be suitably romantic.

Grab a board. For those in search of some exercise, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake that has a boat launch and start paddling around to soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the season, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of some of the most common lake and beach-related necessities for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

General items

If the plan is to be in the sun for the vast majority of the vacation, the following list of items should be an excellent starting point when it comes to the necessities you are likely to need.

  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Bug spray
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Portable phone charger
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Backup clothes
  • Portable stereo
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Food

Specialty lake gear

Take into consideration the itinerary for the day and who will be in your entourage, the items below might also prove useful and worth packing before you get on the road.

  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Goggles or masks
  • Fishing poles
  • Bait
  • Toys for the beach
  • Your tackle box
  • Corkscrew
  • Books
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes

Lake Safety Checklist

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. Here are some general tips that will ensure that you and your family remains safe while around the lake.

  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Overland Park

Some people may not get a chance to make their way to the amazing lakes around Overland Park and likely have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, each lake near Overland Park is going to possess unique qualities and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a handful of items to look into when making plans which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Maximize the best assets in the area. When you have time for a lengthier stay, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to camp right on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search can usually allow you to locate options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Overland Park might be packed with beachgoers. If you want a little more privacy, 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. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!