Lakes Close to Niagara Falls
The weather is warm so it’s time to plan your next summer adventure. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Niagara Falls. A stay at a lake can be perfect for those who love wildlife too, as they are a great way to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.
There are countless great motivations for a getaway to a lake in Niagara Falls this summer – the cool water for swimming, fun summer activities like boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Niagara Falls have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Load up the car with your fishing gear and snacks then set out on your next vacation to find a brand new favorite spot on a lake!
Lakes Close to Niagara Falls
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
When you visit a lake near Niagara Falls you’ll find all kinds of things to do for families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or make it a long weekend to a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to make the most of your time unwinding.
Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you make your way to a lake near Niagara Falls:
Pack a picnic basket. Niagara Falls’s lakes provide a wealth of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some culinary delights, or a quick snack as you enjoy the view. If you’re with that special someone, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.
Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a ski 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 Niagara Falls give you all kinds of choices.
Swimming. The swimming lakes near Niagara Falls provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the big kids and little ones, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a glorious public beach!
How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake
Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the season, and the activities on your to-do list. For your convenience we’ve assembled a rundown of popular go-to necessities for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.
Lake basics
When the plan is to be outdoors for the majority of the weekend, our list of provisions below is an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.
- Towels and dry clothes
- Radio or speaker
- Bug spray
- Garbage bags
- Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
- A fully stocked cooler
- UV protection
- Beach blanket
- Portable phone charger
- Proper footwear
Additional lake gear
Take into consideration what you’ll be doing for the day and who will be in your entourage, the items below will likely be helpful and worth a quick spot check prior to leaving.
- Diapers and baby gear
- Worms or other bait
- Corkscrew
- Games for the beach
- Your tackle box
- Kindle
- Fishing poles
- Safety gear like life jackets
- Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
- Masks and snorkels
Staying Safe on a Lake
While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Niagara Falls, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. These safety tips will make sure that you and your family are always safe on the water.
- Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
- Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
- Make sure no one swims alone
- Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
- Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
- 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
More Ideas for Lake Fun
If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes around Niagara Falls, there are a few things that might make your trip plan far more rewarding. As an example, each individual lake is going to have their own qualities which makes it important to think about what you need to make an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.
- Make the most of unique local resources. If you have time for a lengthier trip, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the ability to camp right on the water for a reasonable price.
- Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near Niagara Falls may be swarmed with tourists. To find more space to yourself, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, then look for the biggest, most popular beach!
- No boat, no problem. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search will typically allow you to find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.