Cape Girardeau Lakes

Lakes Close to Cape Girardeau

The weather is warm and that means it’s time to plan your next grand getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Cape Girardeau. A lake getaway can be wonderful for those that enjoy the outdoors too, as they are a great way to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

Whether you’re seeking to paddleboard, buzz around doing wakeboarding, swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Cape Girardeau provide you with numerous opportunities for aquatic activities. Scan the table directly beneath this paragraph and see the nearby locations from small lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you to visit.

Lakes Close to Cape Girardeau

Lake Activities

When you visit a lake near Cape Girardeau you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by groups of all types. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation to a hotel or AirBnB to enjoy yourself more fully.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you make your way to a Cape Girardeau lake:

Have a picnic. Cape Girardeau’s lakes gives you the chance to visit a wealth of top-notch picnic areas where you can enjoy foods, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy while enjoying the scenery. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view is hard to beat.

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

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. For those in search of some exercise, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake with a public launch and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on which lake you go to, when you go, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. However, we’ve created a list with some of our favorite ideas for your watery excursion so you have everything you need!

Lake basics

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the majority of the weekend, the following list of items is a good place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Swimsuits
  • Backup clothing
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Tennis shoes
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • A picnic basket
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • UV protection
  • Beach blanket

More lake stuff

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing at the lake and who will be in your entourage, the list of gear could make your day more enjoyable and worth a quick spot check before you get on the road.

  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Fishing poles
  • Kindle
  • Bait
  • Tackle box
  • Wine key
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)

Lake Safety

Of course spending a weekend at your favorite body of water should be lots of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. A day on the lake means safety first so here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

Some More Tips

If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes around Cape Girardeau, there are a few things that can make your weekend gameplan far more successful. Case in point, each individual lake near Cape Girardeau has unique environment so it is important to think about what will make for an enjoyable adventure when planning yours.

  1. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Cape Girardeau may be packed with beachgoers. To find a little more privacy, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the busiest, most happening sandy party scene!
  2. Maximize unique assets in the area. If there’s time for a longer getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
  3. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas where you can rent a boat. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can usually help you find options for renting the perfect boat.