A trip to the lake is a fun adventure to partake in, but who wants to bring fifty different items to such a grand outdoor adventure? No, that’s far too many, so we’ll opt to do forty-nine, a perfectly rational and usable amount of items instead!
All jokes aside, going out for a lakefront adventure can have all the fun and chaos of any aquatic adventure, with some of the more subtle differences boiling down to the specific experience you can craft by the items you bring. Granted, a large portion of it also entails which lake you go to, how large it is, and what you intend to do there.
The most valuable items you can bring to the lake, in general, typically include those that make the entire outing either more enjoyable by default or make difficult or annoying portions of it slightly better. Still, you can’t simply saunter around with rose-tinted sunglasses either (though you should definitely bring some), because preparing for safety and health needs is essential for any real outing!
What Are Some Things to Pack for the Lake?
When traveling to the lake, you’ll want to have items that fall into one of three categories: practical items with a notable use, non-negotiable essentials like sunscreen, protective gear, and first aid kits.
Suppose you or your family will be going into the water. In that case, this includes wearing flotation devices, having enough water, and possibly bringing a change of clothes to swap into, rather than soaking the car. Consider bringing extra towels for the seats, bug repellent, and cases to house your valuables and electronics, assuming you plan to get any.
Next, you have ideal items, which could be specific utensils, things you frequently use, or items tailored to your particular experience, such as a good book if you don’t intend on getting wet, or perhaps even a portable charger for your e-reader.
Finally, you have items that are purely for fun. These can be inflatable rafts, fishing poles, anything that would make an already enjoyable outing more exciting, given you enjoy them in the first place, of course.
1. Cooler With Ice
The most common item to bring to the lake, especially if you plan to stay for more than an hour, is a nice cooler with ice. Ideally, filled to the brim with delightful snacks, beverages, and other frosty treats to make the entirety of your visit enjoyable.
You don’t need to go overboard with the things you bring, but taking stock and asking your family and friends about their favorite snacks and drinks can make the entire experience different, depending on how you shop for them (or how they shop for themselves). Your favorite flavored drink after a nice dip in the lake can make for a sensational memory.
2. Sunscreen
A few things are almost undeniably true; for instance, the sun is hot and potentially very bright. Unless, of course, you are impervious to both heat and illumination, in which case you are a mutant, cave dweller, or some other very unique form of existential oddity.
The rest of us, however, have to respect the sun. Exposure to it for long periods can cause damage. To prevent this, packing some sunscreen will make all the difference between having a nice tan and a very flaky, peeling, leathery look when returning to school or the workplace.
3. Sunglasses
If protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential to you, then shielding your eyes would definitely rank highly with that same level of understanding. Sunglasses will prevent you from doing your best Clint Eastwood impression to everyone you meet and allow you to have a full range of vision on both your surroundings and, for parents, where your children are throughout the entirety of your visit.
Coupled with sunglasses, it’s worth noting having a water safe case, or a case in general for these bad boys will allow you to not only keep track of them, but prevent them from being damaged when you do finally want to jump in the lake yourself, as nothing is worse than picking up your favorite sunglasses to see giant scratches or a nice coating of dirt and sand.
4. Bug Spray
Enjoying a meal lakeside doesn’t necessarily mean you should become a meal yourself (becoming a snack is entirely different, but that is a level of slang understanding that almost escapes me). Puns aside, getting bitten by mosquitoes or having ants and other pests pester the vicinity where you are placing your goodies isn’t ideal. Thankfully, bug spray still exists and is quite effective in most circumstances.
While you could hypothetically use any bug spray that advertises keeping insects at bay, you’ll also want to be knowledgeable about what is inside the bottle itself, how it repels bugs, and, more importantly, whether this substance can be toxic if accidentally ingested or dangerous to the environment. Read before you spray, quite literally.
5. Swimsuit
Being flexible and living in the moment is an admirable quality that some people seem to possess unnaturally, either because they are naturally talented or do not care.
Regardless, bringing a swimsuit or pair of swimming trunks will let you thoroughly enjoy the water, work on your tan, and, most importantly, have a change of regular clothes when you are finally done, which is very important if you need to stop at a gas station on the way home too!
6. Hand Sanitizer
In certain groups, cleanliness isn’t truly respected, and while they may be coated in grime, germs, and questionable choices. For those of us who value keeping filth at bay, bringing a small bottle of hand sanitizer can make all the difference between going to the lake happy and healthy and coming home with the common cold.
Obviously, there are myriad ways and reasons hand sanitizer could be helpful aside from preventing a cold. Still, the general idea is the same: you don’t want to be coated with germs and gunk if you don’t have to be, especially if you intend to handle or distribute food for a large number of people.
7. Toilet Paper
A luxury most of us take for granted, until we need it, when its presence is often missed and lamented to a great extent. To avoid this, bringing a few rolls of toilet paper can be imperative for enjoying the lake, especially if there are local bathrooms (which almost always seem to be out of their own rolls, again, when you need them most).
8. Water
Life’s gift in liquid form, you’ll want to double down on having several bottles of water or even gallons considering how hot you can get with just a few minutes of playing outside on a hot day, if you intend on covering for others, this same amount can quantify into several if you are hosting an entire family or two, so investing in a water cooler, or beverage dispenser might prove invaluable for meeting your family or gathering’s needs.
Aside from being refreshing, a lack of water can prove outright dangerous given a lengthy enough time, with things like heat exhaustion or dehydration striking quickly, if you couple this with certain lakes being far away from civilization, or at least being a length car ride, having enough water to keep everyone hydrated is an easy problem to solve when compared to astronomical hospital bills.
9. Electrolytes Drink
In much the same way water will keep you on your toes and going around the lake for hours, a fine electrolyte drink will not only hydrate you, but also provide the essential electrolytes that are fuel when you are playing hard with the best of them.
Just be sure you are getting a drink that actually replenishes electrolytes, and not an energy drink that claims these benefits. One will leave you healthy, while the other will leave your heart feeling like it’s about to explode, especially if you are fatiguing yourself in the heat.
10. Additional Drinks
ALL THE BEVERAGES, yes, drinking water is essential to being healthy, not passing out, and generally enjoying yourself, but giving yourself a nice treat isn’t the worst thing either, at the very least, when done in moderation.
An ice-cold Coke, some delicious chilled lemonade, and maybe even a frosty can all make a hot day magical, really sticking it to the heat that seems to be assaulting you from all sides. As noted above, it is recommended to alternate between your favorite drink and water to prevent illness.
11. Snacks
Nobody wants to stop what they are doing when you are enjoying all the lake has to offer, sometimes your body, or perhaps your families, can make do with just a little pit stop as far as food is required, a bag of chips, a nice energy bar, there are a several alternatives you can choose to scratch that proverbial itch, but keep in mind, the healthier the snack is, the less you have to regret having it later!
12. Food
Refueling the ol’ energy tank isn’t something to be taken lightly. Sometimes you aren’t feeling peckish, but are generally savagely hungry. Playing hard burns a lot of calories. You’ll need to eat something to replenish them, especially if you intend to go the distance after a little break.
Everything from finger sandwiches to a fantastic burger, ribs, or whatever your favorite choice of food is can rank highly here, the most significant difference here obviously boils down to the portion you are having, and the food itself, bear in mind at a certain point, eating enough chips can qualify as an entire meal, from a caloric standpoint anyway, so feed your body things it needs, or be respectful of what you want later.
13. Serving Utensils
Keeping in step with food, more often than not someone is going to end up distributing it, especially if you showed up to the lake with a large group of people, to that end you’ll want some utensils to keep the production line of plate making going smoothly, and even more importantly, keeping people’s hands off other people’s food (Yes, I dislike germs, how could you tell?)
Organizing an area for serving utensils can bring a certain level of order to the chaos of feeding large amounts of people, and with people designated to the entire process, everyone can get fed in a short amount of time, with very little chance of someone potentially cross contaminating things, or getting careless, just be sure to cover the food itself between serving out portions, lest flies get to eat their fill when no one is watching!
14. Eating Utensils
If you have serving utensils, you can make do with eating utensils. Since most people aren’t skilled at eating with tongs, it’s easy to see why a knife, fork, and spoon can make a lovely appearance, especially when you’re not just having hot dogs and hamburgers.
Combating messes is also done quite nicely with the introduction of extra eating utensils, be it keeping children from throwing food everywhere, or better smearing it on tables or whatever barrier between the table itself and their play is, to having a way for people to feed themselves without dousing their hands in grease, eating utensils can be essential.
15. Dry Change of Clothes
Being soaked to the bone might be enjoyable if you are a pirate, a child, or cosplaying Aquaman or a mermaid, but for everyone else, knowing when you are done swimming and feeling the discernible difference of not dripping when sitting down can be pretty refreshing.
A dry change of clothes allows you to make plans afterwards, rather than soaking your mode of transportation on the way home. More importantly, it prevents rashes and other undesirable skin irritations if left unchecked.
16. Hat
While often overlooked, the humble hat is useful for activities you might take to the lake, as it can block the sun, showcase your impeccable fashion sense, or even veil your interest in what’s happening around you while you catch some much-needed rest.
17. Towels
If the concept of changing dry clothes piqued your interest, imagine a world where the transition from wet to dry wasn’t something that happened over a long period, but something you could do quickly and efficiently.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the towel, that’s right, capable of wicking away wetness, drying you out faster than a poorly baked piece of chicken, and doubles as a place to rest, assuming you’ve brought enough of them – talk about utility.
18. Diapers or Swimming Diapers
If you have children, you’ll understand that bringing diapers isn’t even a question for most families. Instead, the question often becomes, Did we bring enough? Even if you did get enough, the other question, did we bring the right type, can inevitably enter the conversation.
As a parent, you’ll either know intimately or come to understand that not all diapers are created equally. Some are better at retaining liquid than others. Some will dissolve into what can only be described as an angry life form when water touches the outside, with no in-between.
Thankfully, swimming diapers do exist and are water-retardant enough to keep your little one in the water without contributing to the water’s toxicity levels, even if Dad is wonderful with making as many “Warm spots” as he pleases.
19. Waterproof Phone Case
Going to the lake doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be enjoying the water at all times. It most definitely doesn’t mean your water will need to enjoy it as briefly as it can, or that you need to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that your new phone can indeed be submerged in water and be perfectly fine.
Investing in a waterproof phone case can prevent you from needing to shell out for a new phone and some aspirin for the inevitable headache it causes, and can also be a nice way to show your sense of artistic design and expression, unless you are someone who goes with solid colors, in which case, that blue really suits you.
20. Cash, ID & Phone
Ah, yes, valuables, important things, and for some people, their lifeline and social needs —all wrapped up in one: the phone. If you are bringing these things with you, you must get an equally safe place to keep them, often separately, or at the very least, in a water-safe location.
21. Dry Bag
These topics are designed to sync up with one another. Weirdly, the dry bag does precisely what its name implies: it keeps things dry inside.
Inside it, you can store your valuables, like money, ID, or even a (gasp!) phone, incredible, right? I know, but hold your applause, because the dry bag can also store items that don’t have extreme intrinsic value but help with expensive things, like your car keys. The metal isn’t worth much, but having access to your car is, however, priceless.
22. Life Jackets
Life jackets might not protect things with monetary value, but truthfully, they protect the only thing that truly matters in the grand scheme of things: life, specifically yours or someone else’s.
A life jacket lets people safely enjoy all the lake has to offer, without the fear that disaster can happen if you aren’t an expert swimmer, or need a break, should you find yourself playing a little too hard.
It’s worth noting that even if you are an Olympic swimmer, it is impossible to argue that life jackets are useless, because their value only becomes apparent when you need them most, which is typically when it’s too late to don one in the first place.
23. Water Bottle
We’ve already made a special note of how important it is to drink water regularly. Still, not everyone is keen on constantly making the trip to the water cooler for a fresh water bottle, and some don’t like the idea of using so much plastic and harming the environment just for convenience.
Regardless of the scenario, having a personal water bottle will keep you hydrated, show you which water is explicitly yours, and allow you to display a little individualism again if you’ve invested in a truly unique one. Just be sure not to forget it at the lake after a long day of play.
24. Water Shoes
No, you cannot have shoes made of water or shoes that will let you walk on water. That isn’t what water shoes are, and you need to stop being so incredibly silly.
Jokes aside, water shoes offer foot protection whilst wading in water (chains of rhymes are impressive, I know). These unique forms of footwear will allow you to traverse shallow water without worrying too much about stepping on sharp stones or even hooks wedged in rocks, sand, or other obstacles.
25. Paper Goods
Somewhat of a significant umbrella topic to cover, but paper goods can be anything ranging from those flimsy, collapsible paper cups to large rolls of paper towels that can be strategically placed around where you are serving your food.
All of these have value because they are easy to dispose of and relatively easy to handle. However, it’s important to remind everyone to be mindful of their surroundings and not litter, despite how easily these products blow away.
26. Plastic Cups
Paper cups, the older, more resilient brother, and plastic cups will be usable for the whole day, assuming you don’t lose them, step on them, or experience that awkward moment when everyone is using the same design of cup, and no one put their name on theirs. You don’t want to put your lip in someone else’s drink, or vice versa.
Don’t let this incident happen to you. If you are bringing the cups or know some will be there, provide a nice marker at the cup location for people to easily write their name on, and be the thankless hero of the lake in your group.
27. Sandals
Water shoes are fantastic, but they don’t hold their own when transitioning between wading in water and coming on land. To that end, you’ll want something more stable, and perhaps capable of really bringing out that beach-goer look, so sandals are the go-to choice here.
You could look towards normalized footwear, but getting sand, dirt, or other particles in your day shoes is annoying. Unless you are unique, you probably aren’t going directly from water to socks and shoes, so sandals make the perfect choice for a hybrid aquatic environment.
28. Disinfectant Wipes
Just like hand sanitizer is valuable at public outings, disinfectant wipes are too. The difference is that, instead of just sanitizing your hands or someone else’s, you can take the fight to bacteria and germs on all surfaces with these bad boys.
29. Waterproof Phone Case
Relatively self-explanatory, a waterproof phone case will protect your phone from, wait for it, water, crazy? Very. Surprising? Let’s hope not.
Some phone cases allow you to interact with the phone inside, providing functionality and protection. However, this usually comes at a significant cost, so keeping it safe from water for future use is your best bet.
30. Waterproof Speaker
Now here’s a unique concept: not only being the DJ of the lake, but also keeping the event lively even when everyone is splashing about, or if your speaker somehow manages to become submerged, whether on purpose or accidentally.
Regardless of how it happens, having a waterproof speaker could potentially save you hundreds of dollars, depending on the brand, and these speakers can serve you regardless of whether you are at the beach or not, so they make for a fantastic investment if you are someone who enjoys ambient music or detests headphones and earbuds!
31. Ziplock Bags
Dry bags, waterproof cases, and everything in between aren’t for everyone, be it the style or the price point. Sometimes these things are simply outside the budget. To that end, ziplock bags have proved their worth for countless years, and thankfully, they offer more than just pseudo-protection from water.
Ziplock bags can also be used to store sandwiches, snacks, and even small games if you truly want, making their utility incredibly flexible. Given they usually come in packs of twenty or more, you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth if you are creative enough.
32. Inflatables
Inflatable toys, rafts, hats, and even safety devices can fall into this category, so it’s relatively challenging to narrow down to any specific usage. Still, note that all of these things can serve a purpose and find a use depending on how much you intend to spend and what you plan on doing.
33. Beach Toys
The only thing better than normal toys is beach toys, unless you are completely obsessed with technology and think you cannot have fun unless it’s screen-related or powered by electricity.
Beach toys can be literally anything under the sun, water torpedoes, floaties, inflatables, beach balls, volleyballs, there are a myriad of different toys that can be used at the beach, take the time to ensure they won’t be damaged by things like water, sand, dirt, or anything else, and you are sure to have a good time.
34. Beach Chairs
It is definitely possible to have a fantastic time lounging on the lake with a nice towel, and being at one with nature, you could elevate yourself literally and mentally with beach chairs, and despite them being marketed for the beach, much like beach toys, these can find a use lakeside, to a very similar effect.
35. Swim Masks
Swim masks, not to be confused with a simple pair of goggles, cover both your eyes and nose, allowing you to have a relatively clear view of what is going on under the water whilst navigating around the lake.
These masks can be game changers if you are tossing a ball around, searching for unique rocks or shells, or observing fish and plant life in the lake.
36. Beach Towel
Beach towels are unique in that they are usually huge in comparison to a regular towel, and typically a little thicker too, making them have some extra cushion if you lie on them, or providing ample room to prevent your entire body from touching the ground, as opposed to needing several layered towels for the same level of coverage.
In most cases, these towels don’t dry you off any faster, but that isn’t always the case, as you can purchase ones of heightened quality, or made of specialized materials that specifically boast this trait. If this is something you desire, you will need to shop for it.
37. Quick-Dry Towels
Assuming normal towel drying rates are simply beneath you, or you are someone who needs to optimize every moment of your life, quick-dry towels do exist, and can definitely find a use whilst you are at the lake, for clarity, these towels typically differ from normal ones both in drying efficiency on a person or thing, and the time spent drying out themselves before reusing.
38. Bottle Opener / Wine Key
In a safe and considerate setting, there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a little wine by the lakeside, especially when you keep your beverage out of the reach of children and chilled to prevent it from tasting off.
Assuming these criteria are met, having a bottle opener or wine key will let you enjoy beverages, wines, or beer without damaging your hands, making a mess, or exerting too much effort.
39. Brush & Hair Ties
Water has a very unique effect on different people’s hair. Even if you aren’t planning on going for a dip, sprinting around, being active, and sweating can quickly become tiresome for even the most patient individuals. To that end, a brush and a few hair ties will not only grant you visual clarity, but prevent you from looking like cousin Itt on the lake.
40. Fishing Poles
Fishing is a pastime that can be enjoyed by almost any age group, and to that end, you can find a place to fish in virtually any setting that has both water. Aptly enough, fish, however, even if you have the proper gear, you may find yourself lacking in another pivotal piece of equipment that can make even the most avid angler jealous, assuming they are missing one.
41. Fishing License
Picking up from the above cliffhanger, we are leaning towards the ever popular, and often despised, fishing license, yes, occasionally you will indeed need documentation to prove you are allowed to fish in certain areas, and failure to do so can cause you to get the pretty expensive ticket, and if you get verbal enough in defending your right to do as you please, perhaps even a nice stint in a jail cell.
42. Boat Registration
Just like you cannot fish without a fishing license, you might also need a boat registration to use your boat. This depends entirely on where you are and may require additional documentation, but it’s something you should look into if you plan to use one.
There are few things quite as disappointing as pulling up with either your favorite rod, or coupled with rod and boat, only to find out you legally cannot utilize either for the entirety of your visit at the lake.
43. Book, E-Book, or E-Reader
Reading is indeed fundamental, and if playing in the sun or going for a swim isn’t your forte, you could read about other people doing it, or mentally escape from your family and friends doing it via any of these fantastic methods of storytelling.
Unfortunately, your preferred medium of book reading is often susceptible to water damage, so you’ll want to have some preventative measures in place to keep your book or electronic device safe from water. A healthy distance or a good cover is definitely worth investing in.
44. Portable Charger
Finding yourself in a situation where you need to use your phone, but it’s dead, can be disastrous, to say the least. Thankfully, technology has evolved to the point where you can use additional electronic devices to keep your favorite ones functional. Modern problems do indeed require modern solutions, as it were.
Investing in a portable charger can be the difference between getting back home quickly and getting lost, potentially leading to the need for a hotel. Prepare accordingly, or suffer later!
45. Shorts
Let’s be honest, unless you are going to the lake in winter, which is definitely a choice someone could make, you’ll likely find yourself hot. For that end, you’ll want modest coverage—not walking around in a bikini, but also not baking alive in regular pants.
If that is a scenario you cannot abide, then thankfully enough, shorts do exist. You can wear them to escape heat and make a compelling statement about how stylish you genuinely are.
46. First Aid Kit
Accidents do happen, and sometimes they can be pretty serious, regardless of whether you are facing a minor scrape or a very deep gash. Bringing a first aid kit is something almost no one would regret doing under nearly any circumstance. The added weight will always be worthwhile when needed most, or the peace of mind it provides when it isn’t.
On this list, several things could very realistically be said that are optional; please, do not allow a first aid kit to fall among them, as treating injuries, wounds, and more immediately can stave off infections, and keep nasty wounds from getting worse, or, granting ease until more severe treatments can be administered, bring a first aid kit.
47. Boat Bag
A boat bag is a water-resistant duffel bag, for lack of a better explanation. As such, it can hold almost everything necessary from this list that you deemed worth bringing, and keep it from being soaked, destroyed, or lost among the clutter of other things you get.
If you get the right boat bag, it allows you to organize everything you bring into neat little areas, granting you the peace of mind to add things and know precisely where they are located at all times.
48. Trash Bags
Suppose you are bringing a wide array of different things with you. In that case, there will inevitably be junk, clutter, and excess refuse that is left behind. Don’t be a slob and clean up after yourself with some trash bags, especially if your lake doesn’t have readily available disposal bins. Just because it isn’t convenient doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile.
49. Games
Finally, games, sometimes the normalized events at the lake can grow tiresome, or you need some downtime to dry off and unwind without expending a lot of effort, if you find yourself in those water shoes (nice one, right?), then you’ll deeply appreciate a few calming alternatives like Uno, Scrabble, or any different card, board, or easily transported game you can imagine.
Just don’t be the person who brings monopoly to the lake, either to remind people of what kind of housing they can’t afford or to frustrate them to no end by buying everything in sight. That’s not nice and is definitely a good way to end up getting thrown in the lake.
Are There Any Tips to Know While Being on the Lake?
Yes, there are definitely some tips to consider while visiting a lake. Some are common sense, but others might not occur to everyone. Regardless of which side of the fence you fall on, we’ll briefly gloss over them to keep your lakeside adventure both fun, safe, and understanding of the nature that lives there year-round.
1. Never Approach Wildlife or Feed Them
If you happen to see any animals at the lake, your presence is tolerated at best. You are a guest in their home. Don’t litter and make the place less enjoyable for them, or attempt to give them “treats” that can make them sick or ruin their diet. Those acts might seem considerate to you, but they can actually be very destructive in the long run.
2. Always Wear a Lifejacket
If you are in the water, you should be wearing a life jacket. At the same time, some might argue that you look “lame”; being safe isn’t dull, or uncool, ending up stranded or in a dangerous situation because you didn’t want to have a particular kind of appearance is the only kind of dumb you should be afraid of being.
3. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is a serious matter, and the hotter it is outside, the more relevant your hydration becomes, as the adverse effects of constant heat exposure can become more deadly given more time to fester, heat exhaustion is not something that happens instantly for example, and isn’t something you will recover from in just a day, be mindful, and avoid consequences that might cost you dearly.
4. Supervise Children
Just because the lake is supposed to be a fun time, that does not mean you are allowed to shirk off your duties as a parent, or even that of a responsible older sibling, or distant friend/family member. Children are the future. They are prone to making mistakes and poor choices. To that end, someone should be watching them at all times —no excuses.
5. Bring a Friend
Humans are meant to experience life together. The only thing that can make a wondrous adventure like a trip to the lake more enjoyable than going alone is going with a close friend and creating memories that can last a lifetime.
6. Bring a Trash Bag
While it was briefly noted above, note that every lake has custom accommodation for trash or recycling. To that end, it’s better to be prepared than assume. Bring a few trash bags: one for regular trash and another for recycling.
If you want to really double down on your trash acquisition and disposal, bring a few plastic bins to place the bags themselves into so they can be stored in your car, without leaking or causing a mess, allowing you to properly dispose of them when you get home, being a real champion of cleanliness!
Final Thoughts
Although there is a multitude of things you can bring to the lake, it is essential to note that no matter what you get, always have fun! If this article was helpful, we recommend checking out our other articles to ensure you have a good sense of outdoor adventures. Until next time!