Queens Lakes

Lakes Near Queens

Sometimes you just need to spend some time on the water. Fortunately, when you visit Queens you have lots of options for getting on, or in the water.

There are many brilliant arguments for making a trip to a lake in Queens this summer – the water is refreshing on hot days, fun summer entertainment like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Load up the car with your beach goodies and snacks then hit the road your next day off to find a brand new number one spot on a lake!

Nearby Lakes for Queens

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Queens there are many things to do for families, couples, or with a group of friends. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel on the beach to enjoy yourself more fully.

Any stay at the lake offers you everything from fun to relaxation.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you want a little physical activity, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake near Queens with a public boat launch you can use and start paddling around to soak up nature’s beauty in all it’s glory.

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, why not spend the day flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Hit the water and go wakeboarding or knee boarding as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of choices.

Picnic time. Queens’s lakes offer all sorts of great picnic areas where you can enjoy foods, or a quick snack as you enjoy the view. If you’re with that special someone, good food and a view is hard to beat.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different based on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, what your goals are for the getaway. While every trip is its own animal, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your next summer trip so everything goes smoothly!

Common lake items

If the plan is to be in the sun for the vast majority of the day, our list of provisions below should be a good place to start when it comes to the necessities that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Beach blanket
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Snacks
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • Insect repellant
  • Towels
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • Sunscreen

More lake gear

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing for the day and who will be joining you, the following items will likely be helpful and worth packing prior to departure.

  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Toys for the beach
  • Wine key
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Your tackle box
  • Worms or other bait
  • Fishing and boating licenses

Lake Safety

While spending a weekend on the lake can provide lots of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Always wear sunblock
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes around Queens, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your weekend gameplan far more successful. Case in point, each lake near Queens is going to have their own qualities and surroundings so it is important to consider what will make for an enjoyable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. Make the most of the best local resources. If you have time for a lengthier getaway, find local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to camp right on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Rent a boat. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search will typically help you find options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Do homework on the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches may be swarmed with beachgoers. To find more space to yourself, do some digging on multiple lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most popular beach!