West Raleigh Lakes

Lakes Close to West Raleigh

The weather is warm and that means it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near West Raleigh. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to West Raleigh there are lots of great spots for spending time on the lake.

There are many brilliant reasons to visit a lake in West Raleigh during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, fun summer activities like boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in West Raleigh have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Take a look at the table below to have a look your options including swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Lakes Near West Raleigh

Lake Activities

When you visit a lake near West Raleigh you’ll find all kinds of 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 make for a bigger, better getaway.

Any stay on or in the water gives you everything from fun to relaxation.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you want a little physical activity, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake that has a boat launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Get in the water. Finding a swimming lake near West Raleigh will provide tons of laughs and games for the youngsters, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that 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!

Have a picnic. The lakes near West Raleigh offer a wealth of excellent picnic areas where you can enjoy portable delicacies, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage by the water. For a romantic evening, this plan should be suitably romantic.

How to Prepare for a Day at 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 trip to a lake near West Raleigh to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

The basics

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take along several of these things so that you’ll be safe, healthy, and relaxed.

  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Radio or speaker
  • Something to dry off with
  • UV protection
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Proper footwear
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Snacks
  • Swimsuits

Specialty lake stuff

The gear in the list below could be helpful for trips to the lake depending on what your plans are. It’s also worth checking so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Kindle
  • Swimming goggles
  • Worms or other bait
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Fishing poles
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Toys for the beach
  • Corkscrew
  • Life jackets

Staying Safe on a Lake

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Following a few standard safety tips that will make sure that your whole group remains safe while around the lake.

  • Don’t swim alone
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating

Some More Tips

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes near West Raleigh, there are a few things that can make your weekend gameplan much more successful. For example, each lake near West Raleigh is going to have unique qualities so it’s important to consider what you need to make an unforgettable adventure when planning yours.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally the beaches near West Raleigh may be very busy. To find some space to yourself, research multiple nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most happening beach!
  2. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When you have time for a longer getaway, find local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
  3. Rent a boat. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local 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 a day of watersports. Using a search engine will usually help you find options for renting the perfect boat.