Tri-Cities Lakes

Lakes Around Tri-Cities

When the weather is right you should spend some time near the water. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to Tri-Cities you have quite a few great spots for getting on, or in the water.

There are many great reasons for making a trip to a lake in Tri-Cities while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment 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 data directly beneath this paragraph and see the options including small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Near Tri-Cities

Things to Do at the Lake

When you visit a lake near Tri-Cities you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by families and couples. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.

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

Water sports. If you’ve got access to a fast boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the lakes near Tri-Cities provide you with a number of options.

Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Tri-Cities will offer tons of laughs and games for the big kids and little ones, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their 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 doesn’t hold a candle to a beautiful public beach on a lake near Tri-Cities!

Start paddling. If paddling is your thing, load up your preferred vessel and chart your course to a lake that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Lake Getaway Prep

A lake day itinerary can vary quite a bit depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the time of year, the weather, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve put together a list of popular go-to items for you to use as a checklist for your getaway.

The basics

For a day spent on the water you will likely need to bring along many of the things in our list below to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and having fun.

  • A picnic basket
  • Bottle opener
  • UV protection
  • Portable stereo
  • USB charger
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Bathing suits
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)

More lake stuff

The following items might prove useful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check some of these so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Rafts for the kids
  • Corkscrew
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Swimming goggles
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Something to read
  • Worms or other bait
  • Fishing gear
  • Games for the beach

Lake Safety Checklist

Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. These safety protocols can ensure that everyone are always safe at your favorite Tri-Cities lake.

  • Don’t swim alone
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside

More Tri-Cities Lake Tips

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes near Tri-Cities, there are a few things that might make your weekend gameplan far more successful. Case in point, each lake near Tri-Cities has their own features which makes it important to think about what will make for an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Maximize the best assets in the area. When you have time for a longer trip, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the ability to camp directly on the water without breaking the bank.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Tri-Cities can get extremely crowded. To find some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search can typically allow you to locate a marina that has what you need.