Lakes Close to Springfield
The weather is warm and that means it’s time to start planning your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Springfield. A stay at a lake is perfect for people 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 itching to paddleboard, buzz around doing watersports, go swimming, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Springfield offer you lots of beautiful locations for aquatic adventures. The time is now! Load up your vehicle with your beach goodies and a cooler then set out on your next vacation and discover a brand new favorite location on the water!
Nearby Lakes for Springfield
Things to Do at the Lake
When you visit a lake near Springfield you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all persuasions. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or make it a long weekend to a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to make for a bigger, better getaway.
Every getaway at the lake gives you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.
Grab a board. If you want a little physical activity, load up your preferred vessel and chart your course to a lake with a public launch and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.
Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Springfield offer tons of fun and excitement for the big kids and little ones, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that 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 just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach!
Have a picnic. The lakes near Springfield gives you the chance to visit all sorts of excellent picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite culinary delights, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage while enjoying the scenery. For a romantic evening, a picnic on the beach should be suitably romantic.
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 the activities on your to-do list. However, we’ve assembled a rundown of some of the most common lake items for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.
The basics
If the plan is to be in the sun for most of the day, the list below should be a good starting point for essentials to have on hand.
- Garbage bags
- Insect repellant
- Sunblock
- A beach blanket and umbrella
- A sunhat or glasses
- Snacks
- Portable phone charger
- Dry shirt
- Travel dinnerware and cups
- Something to dry off with
Additional lake stuff
The gear in the list below can make your life easier for excursions to the lake depending on what your plans are. You may want to double check for some of these before heading out.
- Masks and snorkels
- Corkscrew
- Diapers and baby gear
- Legal flotation devices
- Inflatable pool toys
- Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
- Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
- Tackle box and lures
- Fishing poles, nets, etc.
- Fishing and boating licenses
Staying Safe on a Lake
While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Springfield, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. Following a few standard safety tips that can ensure that everyone remains safe on the water.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
- Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
- Always swim with a buddy
- Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
- Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
More Springfield Lake Tips
If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes near Springfield, there are a few things that will make your itinerary substantially more rewarding. For example, each lake has unique features which makes it important to take into account what will make for an enjoyable adventure when planning yours.
- Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally the beaches near Springfield might be very busy. 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 to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most happening beach!
- Rent a boat. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local 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 tubing with the kids. Using a search engine can usually help you find a marina that has what you need.
- Maximize unique assets in the area. When you have time for a longer stay, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.