Plymouth Lakes

Lakes Near Plymouth

The weather is warm and that means it’s time to plan your next family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Plymouth. A lake getaway can be wonderful for people who love the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are countless great reasons to visit a lake in Plymouth while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Plymouth have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. The time is now! Load up the car with your fishing gear and a picnic basket then hit the road this weekend to find a brand new favorite location on a lake!

Nearby Lakes for Plymouth

Things to Do at the Lake

On a day trip to a lake near Plymouth you’ll find all kinds of things to do for people of all persuasions. You could go for an exciting day trip or make it a long weekend at a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to enjoy yourself more fully.

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

Grab a board. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake near Plymouth that has a public boat launch you can use and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Plymouth offer tons of fun and excitement for the big kids and little ones, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want 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 sandy beach and a designated swimming area before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a beautiful public beach!

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the all sports lakes give you several choices.

Lake Checklist

A day at the lake can be drastically different when you take into consideration which lake you’re going to, the time of year, the weather, and what you want to do while you’re there. For your convenience we’ve put together a list of some of the most common lake and beach-related items for you to use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

Lake basics

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take several of the things in our list below so that you’ll be safe, comfortable, and having fun.

  • Dry shirt
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Swimsuits
  • Towels
  • Portable phone charger
  • UV protection
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Plates, cups and utensils

Specialty lake stuff

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing when at the water and your guests, the following items will likely be helpful and worth a quick spot check before you make the trip.

  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Something to read
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Corkscrew
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Bait
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Fishing poles
  • Diapers and baby gear

Lake Safety Checklist

While your getaway on a lake in Plymouth should be lots of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some important safety tips.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming

More Plymouth Lake Tips

Some people may not get the opportunity to make their way to the amazing lakes around Plymouth and might have some questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, no matter where you go each lake is going to possess their own character and trappings, but you should keep in mind a couple key points to look into while planning which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Make the most of the best assets in the area. When you have time for a longer stay, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to camp right on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Plymouth might be packed with beachgoers. To find a little more privacy, research multiple nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!
  3. No boat, no problem. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can typically help you locate a marina that has what you need.