Bellevue Lakes

Lakes Around Bellevue

The weather is warm so it’s time to plan your next summer adventure. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Bellevue. A lake vacation can be wonderful for people that enjoy wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are countless brilliant reasons for making a trip to a lake in Bellevue while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, enjoyable summer activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are ideal for working on your tan. Browse through the table directly beneath this paragraph and see the options including swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Nearby Lakes for Bellevue

Things to Do at the Lake

On a day trip to a lake near Bellevue there are many activities that can be enjoyed by families, couples, or with a group of friends. You could go for an exciting day trip or make it a long weekend at a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to make the most of your time unwinding.

Here are some of our top picks for activities when you make your way to a Bellevue lake:

Get a little crazy with the 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 skills? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the local lakes provide you with all kinds of choices.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or fishing from shore.

Start paddling. If you like to paddle around, 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 get out and soak up the scenery on the waterfront.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different based on the lake you’re heading to, what the weather is going to be, or if there are any activities planned. For your benefit, we put together a list with some of our favorite ideas for your lake getaway so you have everything you need!

Lake basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for the majority of the weekend, the following list of items should be an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • A receptacle for trash
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Dry shirt
  • Swimsuits
  • A cooler with water bottles
  • Bottle opener
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Something to eat

Additional lake items

Consider the itinerary when at the water and who will be in your entourage, the list of gear will likely be helpful and adding to your checklist before you make the trip.

  • Life jackets
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Something to read
  • Your tackle box
  • Worms or other bait
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes

Lake Safety

Of course your getaway to the lake can be lots of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some important safety tips.

  • 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
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over

Some More Tips

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes near Bellevue, there are a few things that can make your trip plan substantially more rewarding. Case in point, every individual lake has unique environment which makes it important to take into account what you need to make a memorable getaway when planning yours.

  1. Maximize unique local resources. When you have time for a longer getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Asking a local will usually help you find options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally beaches could be extremely busy. If you want more space to yourself, research 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, then look for the busiest, most happening beach!