Lakes Near Buffalo
Every once in a while you should spend some time on the water. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to Buffalo you have some great spots when it comes to getting on, or in the water.
There are countless great reasons to visit a lake in Buffalo while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer activities like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Buffalo have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. The time is now! Pack up your vehicle with your beach goodies and a picnic basket then hit the road your next day off and discover your own favorite spot on the water!
Lakes Close to Buffalo
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
A quick excursion to a lake, or a longer trip provides a nearly limitless list of things to do for couples or families.
Every getaway at the lake gives you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.
Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a speed boat, why not get out on the water and start zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes offer you several options.
Picnic time. Buffalo’s lakes provide many excellent picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite culinary delights, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy by the water. For a romantic evening, this plan should be suitably romantic.
Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or tossing a line in from the dock.
Preparing for a Day on 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. For your convenience we’ve built out a short list of our favorite lake and beach-related necessities for you to use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.
Lake basics
When you’re out on a lake near Buffalo you will likely need to bring along many of the things in our list below to make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and relaxed.
- Reserve clothing
- Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
- Snacks
- Beach blanket
- Insect repellant
- Bluetooth speaker
- Eye protection, a hat, or both
- Towels and dry clothes
- A fully stocked cooler
- Sunblock
More lake stuff
The list of items below can make your life easier for getaways to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.
- Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
- Fishing poles
- Fishing and boating licenses
- Books
- Life jackets
- Games for the beach
- Corkscrew
- Pool noodles, rafts, floats
- Goggles or masks
- Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
Lake Safety Tips
Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Following a few standard safety tips that can make sure that you and your family remains safe on the water.
- Make sure no one swims alone
- Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
- Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
- Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
- Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Buffalo
When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes near Buffalo, there are a few things that can make your weekend gameplan much more rewarding. For example, each individual lake near Buffalo has their own features which makes it important to consider what will make for an unforgettable adventure when planning yours.
- Make the most of the best local resources. If you have time for a lengthier trip, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
- Rent a boat. Many lakes have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search can usually allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
- Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes beaches can get exceptionally crowded. To find some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, then look for the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
