Dover Lakes

Lakes Around Dover

When the weather is right you should gather your family and friends and make time to be near the water. Fortunately, when you make a trip to Dover you have quite a few options for getting on, or in the water.

There are numerous brilliant reasons for a getaway to a lake in Dover during the warmer months – the water is refreshing on hot days, fun summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Dover have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Scan the local listings below to see your options from small lakes to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Dover

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Dover there are many things to do for groups of all types. You could go for an exciting day trip or make it a long weekend at a hotel on the beach to make for a bigger, better getaway.

Every getaway on or in the water gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or fishing from shore.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the lakes near Dover provide you with all kinds of options.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Dover offer all kinds of laughs and games for the kids, 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! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach on a lake near Dover!

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and what you want to do while you’re there. However, we’ve built out a short list of popular go-to items that you can use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

The basics

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the majority of the day, the list below is a good starting point when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Reserve clothes
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • A picnic basket
  • Portable stereo
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Tennis shoes
  • Beach blanket
  • Swimsuits
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups

Additional lake stuff

Take into consideration the itinerary for the day and who will be in your entourage, the list of gear could make your day more enjoyable and adding to your checklist before you make the trip.

  • Goggles or masks
  • Life jackets
  • Your tackle box
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Corkscrew
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Games for the beach
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Bait

Lake Safety Checklist

While your getaway on a lake in Dover can be lots of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. When you decide to spend a day at the lake these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • 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
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes near Dover, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that will make your itinerary far more successful. As an example, every lake near Dover is going to have unique environment which makes it important to take into account what you need to make an enjoyable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. No boat, no problem. Many lakes have local marinas where you can rent a boat. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a day of watersports. Using a search engine will usually help you find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near Dover can get extremely crowded. If you want some more peace and quiet, 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 happening sandy party scene!
  3. Maximize unique assets in the area. If there’s time for a longer stay, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds that offer the ability to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.