McAllen Lakes

Lakes Around McAllen

It’s summertime so it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming grand getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near McAllen. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to McAllen there are lots of options for getting on, or in the water.

There are countless brilliant arguments to visit a lake in McAllen during the warmer months – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment such as wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in McAllen have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Has there ever been a better time? Load up your vehicle with your beach goodies and snacks then hit the road this weekend to find a brand new favorite location on a lake!

Lakes Close to McAllen

Things to Do at the Lake

A day trip to the lake, or a more lengthy getaway provides a nearly endless list of things to do for families, couples, or even those seeking some quiet time.

A day, weekend, or a week at the lake offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or fishing from shore.

Swimming. Finding a swimming lake near McAllen will offer tons of fun for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach!

Get a little crazy with the 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 showing off your water sports expertise? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the lakes near McAllen offer you a number of options.

Lake Checklist

A day at the lake can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration which lake you choose, the time of year, the weather, and what you want to do while you’re there. For your convenience we’ve built out a short list of some of the most common lake items that you can use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

The basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the day, the following list of items should be an excellent place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • USB charger
  • Portable stereo
  • Insect repellant
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Reserve clothing
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Bottle opener
  • A cooler with water bottles
  • Beach blanket

Specialty lake stuff

The list of items below could be helpful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check for some of these so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Tackle box
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Life jackets
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Corkscrew
  • Kindle
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)

Lake Safety Checklist

While a day at your favorite body of water should be ample amounts 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.

  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • 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
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • 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

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes around McAllen, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your itinerary much more successful. Case in point, each lake near McAllen is going to have their own qualities which makes it important to consider what will make for a memorable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. Rent a boat. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a day of watersports. Using a search engine will typically help you locate a marina that has what you need.
  2. Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally beaches might be swarmed with beachgoers. If you want a little more privacy, do some digging on a variety of lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the busiest, most happening beach!
  3. Maximize the best local resources. When you have time for a lengthier stay, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to stay right on the water without breaking the bank.