Prep for your next lake day with these essentials.
Thomas Barwick via Getty ImagesI grew up in Northern Ohio near Lake Erie. Going to the lake for the day was a regular occurrence when my brothers and I were young, predominantly because it was an inexpensive outing and my parents loved to water ski. We’d fill a cooler with drinks and snacks, grab our swimsuits, and pile into my mom’s old yellow Mercury, our small motorboat in tow. To this day, one of my favorite things to do in the summer is spend time at the lake, ideally out on the water.
In the lower 48 states, the estimated number of lakes is around 110,000. (The state of California has around 3,000 of those with 73 being in the Bay Area – which means there’s bound to be one near you if you're in the area). Some even offer sightings of rare and unique wildlife like a bald eagle or a prehistoric snapping turtle.
These days, there’s a lot of varied and fancy gear available to make your lake adventure that much more enjoyable. Here are some ideas on what to pack for a day at the lake.
For a full day at the lake, don’t forget the beverages and food. The 32-quart size is perfect for a day adventure. This lightweight yet sturdy cooler from RTIC holds 30 pounds of ice and provides ample space to keep up to 48 cans of your drink(s) of choice nice and cold.
Plus. it comes in a variety of cool looking color combinations. We especially like the Trailblazer and the Deep Harbor.
For any outdoor adventure, hydration is key. The Lifestraw water bottle has replaceable filters (carbon and membrane) that remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics while also reducing chlorine, bad odor, and pesticide presence in your water. This means you can fill your bottle and drink straight from the lake itself. How’s that for sustainable?
The membrane microfilter lasts through 1,000 gallons and the carbon filter lasts for 26 gallons.
I experience motion sickness on planes and boats and in the back seats of vehicles (especially when traveling through the mountains). Anti-nausea acupuncture bands can provide some relief in all of these instances.
These motion sickness bands contain a plastic knob that presses against the P6, or nei-kuan pressure point in your wrist which aims to help relieve nausea and vomiting.
A day at the lake means the potential of water spray and an array of ways that your fancy, expensive phone could get wet. Enclose it safely in this screen-touch friendly, waterproof pouch. This model fits iPhones 11, 12, 13, 14 and Galaxy Pros and comes with a detachable lanyard.
Buy a second one for your cash and ID. Even if you drop the whole dang thing into the lake, the contents will remain dry as you dive in after it.
This dry bag from Earth Pak comes with a waterproof phone case that fits phones up to 6.5 inches (diagonal measurement). The bag itself, made from commercial grade 500D PVC, is available in 5, 10, 20, and 30 liter sizes. There’s a front zippered pocket to stash your keys and anything else you might need to grab quickly.
If kayaking, paddle boarding or canoeing, the dry bag will float happily along next to you – just don’t forget to secure the strap to yourself or your chosen form of water floatation transport.
This extra-large, 39-inch by 71-inch, Turkish bath towel is perfect for laying out on the boat deck (or the sand) or wrapping up in after a swim. Turkish towels are super absorbent, quick drying, and lightweight. These come in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Bring two or three if you want, as they pack down small.
Bug Soother Spray: Deet Free Bug Spray
Bugs like mosquitos, gnats, sand flies, and other pests can easily ruin a day at the lake. During a months-long cycling trip across Central Asia, we camped near many different bodies of water including lakes and rivers, a couple of which were so overrun with pests that they earned the names of ‘mosquito camp’ and ‘sand fly camp’ (we were sorely lacking in the bug spray department).
Bug Soother Spray, made with all natural ingredients, repels mosquitos, sand flies, and more. Don’t let your day at the lake end up being forever known as ‘sand fly lake day.’
You know how, when you take off your wet bathing suit and shove it into your bag, everything else in there gets damp also? Well, you won’t if you use one of these Bumkins wet bags to stash your swimsuit after a water ski or swim.
Each bag is waterproof with heat-sealed seams to keep the damp stuff inside the zippered enclosure contained. Machine wash and hang dry if possible to extend the life of the fabric.
I never go anywhere without some kind of hat for sun protection. This packable and foldable version from Zooron has a ponytail hole in the back for a secure fit while keeping your hair up and out of your way (useful when motoring or sailing across the water in the wind.)
And, at only about $10 a hat, you won’t be super crushed if it accidentally goes flying (though it does have a neck strap to prevent unscheduled liftoffs).
If you happen to be a small motor boat owner, this telescopic boat shade will keep you out of direct sunlight while traversing (up to 20 knots) or drifting on the lake. Comes with aluminum poles, pole mounts, and a 12,000D polyester, waterproof, UV blocking tarp.
If your day at the lake includes time lounging on the shore, bring along this Wondershade portable sunshade to protect you from prolonged UV exposure. Blocking 98% of harmful rays, the 5-foot diameter umbrella extends from 3 to 8 feet from an easy to set up tripod base. There’s a tilt feature for maximum shade as well as cup holders and S-hooks to keep your accessories organized and off of the sand.
The Solstice Inflatable Floating Dock can be tied to anything, anywhere for added hangout space. Rigid when completely inflated, they’re suitable for chairs, coolers, and even a tent. Two center D-rings allow you to secure your lounging accouterments. While I feel like if we had had one of these when I was a kid, my brothers and I would have taken turns trying to shove each other off of it, perhaps your siblings or offspring won’t be quite as mischievous.
The 30-square-foot size is recommended for three to five people (room enough for both Jack and Rose and one of their friends without capsizing).
While all of these products will certainly enhance your lake day, don’t be afraid to go old school – with just a swimsuit, a well-stocked cooler, and your wonderful, rambunctious siblings (or friends).