Longview Lakes

Lakes Around Longview

Sometimes you just need to pack up and find a spot on the water. As it turns out, when you come to Longview you have quite a few options for getting on, or in the water.

There are countless brilliant reasons to visit a lake in Longview this summer – the cool water for swimming, relaxing 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 local listings below to see your options including swimming lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Nearby Lakes for Longview

Lake Activities

A quick excursion to a lake, or a longer getaway gives you an almost limitless amount of stuff for people of all stripes.

A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of flying around the water showing off your water sports talents? Enjoy a day of tubing or skiing as the local lakes provide you with several options.

Picnic time. The lakes near Longview offer many great picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite foods, or you could just do some cheese and crackers as you enjoy the view. Should you be with someone you want to impress, a picnic on the beach should be suitably romantic.

Start paddling. If you like to paddle around, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake near Longview with a public launch and start paddling around to soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the season, and the activities on your to-do list. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of some of the most common lake and beach-related items that you can use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

General items

If the plan is to be in the sun for most of the weekend, our list of provisions below is an excellent starting point when it comes to the necessities you are likely to need.

  • Proper footwear
  • Reserve clothes
  • Portable phone charger
  • Insect repellant
  • Something to eat
  • Beach blanket
  • Towels
  • UV protection
  • Radio or speaker
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)

Additional lake stuff

The list of items below can make your life easier for trips to the lake depending on what your plans are. It’s also worth checking so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Wine key
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Life jackets
  • Toys for the beach
  • Goggles or masks
  • Bait
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Fishing gear
  • Books
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats

Lake Safety Tips

While spending a weekend on a lake in Longview can provide tons of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. A day on the lake means safety first so these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Don’t swim alone
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Keep your distance from wildlife

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Longview

Few people get the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Longview and likely have some questions regarding planning. Certainly, each lake near Longview will have their own character and surroundings, but you should keep in mind a few things to review while assembling your itinerary which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally beaches may be really busy. To find a little more privacy, do some digging on a variety of lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most happening sandy party scene!
  2. Maximize unique local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the ability to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
  3. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will usually allow you to locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.