Grand Island Lakes

Lakes Near Grand Island

The weather is warm so it’s time to start planning your upcoming big getaway. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Grand Island. A lake getaway is wonderful for those that enjoy getting outside too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to go kayaking, partake in some water skiing, go swimming, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Grand Island provide you with numerous beautiful locations for aquatic adventures. Browse through the local listings directly beneath this paragraph to have a look the options from swimming lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Grand Island

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near Grand Island there are many activities that can be enjoyed by families, couples, or with a group of friends. You could go for an exciting day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to enjoy yourself more fully.

Any stay at the lake offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Get in the water. Finding a swimming lake near Grand Island will provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want 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 beautiful public beach on a lake near Grand Island!

Grab a board. If you like to paddle around, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake near Grand Island that has a public launch and get out and soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes offer you several choices.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on which lake you go to, what the weather is going to be, or if there are any activities planned. While every trip is its own animal, we put together a list for some ideas for your lake getaway so you have everything you need!

General items

If the plan is to be in the sun for the vast majority of the weekend, our list of provisions below is a good place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Snacks
  • A cooler with water
  • Bug spray
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Portable stereo
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Sunglasses
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Swimsuits
  • Tennis shoes

Additional lake stuff

The gear in the list below could be helpful for getaways to the lake based on your plans. It’s also worth checking prior to hitting the road.

  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Wine key
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Your tackle box
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Bait
  • Kindle
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing

Lake Safety

Of course spending a weekend at your favorite body of water can be tons of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. 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 wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft

More Grand Island Lake Tips

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes around Grand Island, there are a few things that might make your trip plan substantially more successful. For example, every individual lake near Grand Island is going to have their own features so it is important to consider what will make for an enjoyable getaway when planning yours.

  1. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Using a search engine will usually help you locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally beaches can get exceptionally crowded. If you want more space to spread out, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. Maximize the best assets in the area. When you have time for a lengthier trip, look for local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to stay near or even on the water at an affordable price.