Walla Walla Lakes

Lakes Near Walla Walla

Every once in a while you should gather your family and friends and make time to be on the water. Lucky for you, when you visit Walla Walla there are lots of great spots when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

Whether you’re looking to float in a tube with a book, partake in some wakeboarding, go swimming, or work on your tan, the lakes near Walla Walla provide you with lots of beautiful locations for aquatic activities. The time is now! Load up the car with your fishing gear and snacks then make the trip your next day off and discover your own favorite location on the water!

Nearby Lakes for Walla Walla

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip to the lake, or a longer trip offers a nearly boundless amount of stuff for people of all stripes.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you arrive at a Walla Walla lake:

Partake in some 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 talents? Take the family out for some wakeboarding or knee boarding as the lakes near Walla Walla offer you all kinds of options.

Start paddling. If you want a little physical activity, load up your preferred vessel and find yourself a lake with a public launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.

Go fishing. For those that love to fish, 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 drifting behind a trolling motor or tossing a line in from the dock.

Lake Checklist

Everyone’s beach getaway will be unique based on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. However, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your lake getaway so there’s nothing to stress over!

General items

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the day, the following list of items is an excellent starting point when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Proper footwear
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Swimsuits
  • USB charger
  • Bug spray
  • Backup clothes
  • Garbage bags
  • A blanket or sheet
  • A sunhat or glasses

Additional lake gear

The gear in the list below might prove useful for trips to the lake based on your plans. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Bait
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Goggles or masks
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Corkscrew
  • Tackle box and lures

Lake Safety Tips

Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, safety should be top of mind. Here are some general tips that will ensure that you and your family remains safe at your favorite Walla Walla lake.

  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • 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
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating

More Ideas for Lake Fun

If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes around Walla Walla, there are a few things that will make your trip plan much more rewarding. As an example, each individual lake near Walla Walla has their own qualities and surroundings which makes it important to consider what will make for an enjoyable trip when planning yours.

  1. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches may be swarmed with tourists. If you want some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area 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 biggest, most happening sandy party scene!
  2. Maximize unique local resources. If there’s time for a lengthier stay, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the ability to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.
  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 day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will typically help you find a marina that has what you need.