Lakes Close to Abilene
Sometimes you just need to spend some time by the water. A stay at a lake can be wonderful for those who love the outdoors too, as they are a great way to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.
There are countless brilliant arguments for making a trip to a lake in Abilene during the warmer months – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment such as boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Abilene have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Take a look at the data directly beneath this paragraph and see your nearby locations including small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you and the family to enjoy.
Lakes Near Abilene
Things to Do at the Lake
When you visit a lake near Abilene there are many things to do for families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to enjoy yourself more fully.
Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you visit a Abilene lake:
Grab a board. If paddling is your thing, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake near Abilene with a public boat launch you can use and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.
Water sports. Should you be able to get access to a ski boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports talents? Take the family out for some wakeboarding or knee boarding as the local lakes offer you all kinds of options.
Fishing. For anglers, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.
Preparing for a Day on the Lake
A day at the lake can honestly be all over the map depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and the activities on your to-do list. However, we’ve built out a short list of popular lake items for you to use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.
The basics
For a day spent on the water you will likely need to take several of the items below to make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and enjoying your time.
- A receptacle for trash
- Swimsuits
- Snacks
- A cooler and drinks
- A beach blanket and umbrella
- Sweatpants and sweatshirt
- A sunhat or glasses
- Towels and dry clothes
- Insect repellant
- Portable phone charger
Specialty lake stuff
The gear in the list below could be helpful for trips to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check some of these before heading out.
- Your tackle box
- Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
- Masks and snorkels
- Pool noodles, rafts, floats
- Life jackets
- Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
- Corkscrew
- Fishing poles
- Fishing and boating licenses
- Books
Lake Safety Tips
While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Abilene, safety should be top of mind. The following safety protocols will ensure that everyone are always safe while around the lake.
- Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
- Always wear sunblock
- Make sure no one swims alone
- Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
- Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Abilene
Some people may not get the opportunity to make their way to the amazing lakes around Abilene and might have some questions on ways to maximize their fun. Certainly, each lake near Abilene is going to have unique qualities and surroundings, but here are a few things to review when making plans which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.
- Maximize the best assets in the area. If you have time for a longer stay, find local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water for a reasonable price.
- Find a marina. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or tubing with the kids. Using a search engine will typically allow you to locate options for renting the perfect boat.
- Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Abilene might be packed with tourists. To find more space to spread out, research multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most popular beach!