The United States contains approximately 102,500 lakes, which means you have plenty of options for where to take your next lake vacation!
This also means you have plenty of options when it comes to packing your bag for your outdoor getaway. It can be tough to draw up a lake trip packing list, especially if you’ve never been on such a vacation before.
We’re here to help. Here’s our list of lake trip essentials — toss them into your bag and hit the road for an unforgettable time by the water.
1. Sunscreen
You can’t be in the sun without protecting your skin. Err on the side of caution and bring a few bottles of sunscreen for you and the family. If you need help choosing the right kind, check out these best options, as chosen by Good Housekeeping magazine.
2. An Insulated Cooler
Who’s in charge of drinks and snacks once you get out on the water? If it’s you, you don’t want to leave home without your insulated cooler!
This accessory will come in handy throughout your vacation. You can fill it for the road trip to the lake, and then bring it down to the water or onto the boat once at your destination.
3. Bug Spray
We’ve already touched on sun protection. Keep your skin safe from bug bites, too, by packing a full supply of bug spray. Spritz it on to keep mosquitoes and their itchy bites at bay.
4. Board Games and Cards
You have an endless number of activities in which to partake when you’re vacationing lakeside. But if the weather doesn’t cooperate, what will you do?
Your board games and deck of cards can be your backup plan! Pop your favorites into a bag and bring them with you to your lakeside rental. That way, gray skies won’t have to ruin your getaway.
5. Dry Bag
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. One of these accidents is dropping your phone into the lake.
This won’t affect your phone at all if you pack a dry bag though! These handy accessories can hold multiple devices, and they float when dropped into the water. Plus, as the name implies, they will keep their contents dry, which means you won’t have to replace your phone when your holiday is over.
6. Water Toys
Finally, you want to make sure you and your family can enjoy the lake. Sure, you can go for swims or maybe rent boats to get out onto the water. But bringing along your favorite water toys will make the getaway that much more fun.
So, gather up your big-ticket items, such as your kayak and stand-up paddleboards. Or, just throw your favorite pool toys into the car: noodles, tubes, water guns, snorkels, goggles… everything is fair game!
Make Your Lake Trip Packing List
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what the essentials are when you put together your lake trip packing list. But these are a few of our must-haves!
If you need help with planning any aspect of your next lake trip or are looking for a place to stay, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also check out our various lodging options here. We welcome all to Grand Lake, Colorado year-round – so, pack well and get ready for the time of your life!