Wilkes-Barre Lakes

Lakes Close to Wilkes-Barre

When the weather is right you should pack up and find a spot on the water. As it turns out, when you visit Wilkes-Barre you have quite a few great spots for getting on, or in the water.

There are countless great motivations for a getaway to a lake in Wilkes-Barre this summer – the cool water for swimming, fun summer activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Browse through the table below and have a look the options including small lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you to visit.

Lakes Near Wilkes-Barre

Things to Do at the Lake

A day trip, or a more lengthy getaway provides a nearly limitless list of things to do for couples or families.

A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water offers you everything from fun to relaxation.

Go fishing. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Pack a picnic basket. The lakes near Wilkes-Barre gives you the chance to visit a wealth of top-notch picnic areas where you can enjoy portable delicacies, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy while enjoying the scenery. For a romantic evening, this plan should be suitably romantic.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If paddling is your thing, load up your preferred vessel and find yourself a lake with a boat launch and get out and enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on which lake you go to, what the weather is going to be, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. However, we’ve created a list for some ideas for your next trip to a lake near Wilkes-Barre so there’s nothing to stress over!

Lake basics

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take many of the things in our list below to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and enjoying your time.

  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Something to dry off with
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Bug spray
  • Bathing suits
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Portable phone charger

More lake stuff

The following items could be helpful for trips to the lake depending on what your plans are. It’s also worth checking prior to hitting the road.

  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Wine key
  • Worms or other bait
  • Your tackle box
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Fishing gear
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)

Lake Safety Checklist

Of course your getaway on your favorite body of water can be lots of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding

More Wilkes-Barre Lake Tips

Few people get the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Wilkes-Barre and likely have a lot of questions regarding planning. Obviously, any body of water is going to have their own character and trappings, but here are a couple key points to look into while making plans which could help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Maximize the best local resources. If there’s time for a lengthier trip, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to stay directly on the water without breaking the bank.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes beaches can get exceptionally crowded. If you want some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most popular beach!
  3. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search will typically help you locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.