Maplewood Lakes

Lakes Close to Maplewood

Sometimes you should spend some time on the water. A lake vacation is wonderful for those who love wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are numerous great reasons to visit a lake in Maplewood while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. Some of the lakes in Maplewood have beaches that are ideal for working on your tan. Scan the table directly beneath this paragraph to see the options from small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you to visit.

Lakes Near Maplewood

Lake Activities

A day trip, or a longer trip gives you an almost limitless list of things to do for people of all stripes.

Here are some of our top picks for activities when you arrive at a lake near Maplewood:

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 fishing from shore.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you like to paddle around, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake with a public launch and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Maplewood provide all kinds of fun for the big kids and little ones, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active 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 nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on 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 magnificent public beach!

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different based on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, what your goals are for the getaway. However, we’ve created a list with some of our favorite ideas for your watery excursion so everything goes smoothly!

Common lake items

When you’re out on a lake near Maplewood it makes a lot of sense to take along some of these things so that you’ll be safe, comfortable, and getting the most out of your getaway.

  • USB charger
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Portable stereo
  • Sunscreen
  • Food
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Proper footwear
  • Bathing suits

Additional lake gear

The gear in the list below could be helpful for getaways to the lake based on your plans. It’s also worth checking so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Fishing gear
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Corkscrew
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Books
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Worms or other bait
  • Life jackets

Lake Safety Checklist

While your getaway on the lake can be ample amounts of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some important safety tips.

  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over

Some More Tips

If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes around Maplewood, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your weekend gameplan substantially more rewarding. As an example, each lake has their own environment which makes it important to consider what you need to make an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Find a marina. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or tubing with the kids. Doing a quick Google search will typically allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Make the most of unique local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to camp right on the water without breaking the bank.
  3. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches might be swarmed with beachgoers. If you want a little more privacy, do some digging on multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most happening beach!