Arkansas Lake Escape

WHAT TO PACK FOR A HOUSEBOAT TRIP.

Lake Ouachita
Lake Hamilton
(501) 760-2659

What to Pack for a Houseboat Trip.

Everything you need to have the best time on your trip. From kitchen essentials, games, clothes and more!

Houseboating is one of our favorite holidays of all time.  You just can’t beat the sunshine, heat and water!  Not to mention campfires on the beach every night.  It’s the best.

FRIENDS. HOUSEBOAT. BEACH. WATER. CAMPFIRE!

Houseboat Trips are THE BEST!

Houseboat trips are the best on Lake Ouachita.  Our boats are stocked with almost everything you will need, so to help you we have created a checklist for your houseboating trip. You will need to pack along things like groceries, axes, rope & buoys for your own boats and jet skis, and more. To see our full list of all the items we do carry on board, down to the casserole dishes…click on the menu bar tips or click the link What We Carry On Board! to print.

Lake Ouachita Houseboat Rental

But before we get to the list, here are some tips that we think you’ll find useful on your houseboat trip!  Biggest tip, have the BEST TIME EVER!

Best Tips for Houseboating:

  • Don’t overpack!  Trust us, you will pretty much live in the same outfit the whole time!
  • Kitchen:  The kitchen is stocked with basic dishes, cookware, and cutlery. You will also have an electric stove and oven, microwave, refrigerator, and propane BBQ.  You will need to bring extra kitchen supplies…refer to the checklist.
  • LINENS:  We do provide you with linens. Enough for total person capacity for the boat rented.  All of our boats except the 54’ have washers and dryers.   So please keep that in mind.  If you do not think the totals that we provide will be enough, you are welcome to bring your more linens.  We only have enough linens for all the boats.  Exchanging linens may not be an option if we are completely booked.
  • Meal Planning:  If you’re going with a group, share the meal planning!  Assign each couple/person meals to look after for everyone.  Decide everything before you go so you don’t end up with duplicate meals and ingredients.
  • Packing Food:  Freeze your meat before you go (pack it frozen solid).  This is really helpful to prevent food waste.
  • Fridges:  All Refrigerators are not oversized, so make sure you have extra coolers and lots of ice for your food & drinks.
  • Drinks:  It’s always better to buy more, than not have enough.  To keep space in your fridge for food, keep a separate cooler just for drinks.
  • Music:  Bring your own Bluetooth speakers.  Download some playlists in case you have no cell service.
  • WI-FI:  We are a Wi-Fi Free zone.  Use this time to reconnect with your family and friends.  You can bring a Roku and use your phone or tablet as a hot spot.
  • TV:  We do provide Dish Network for each boat.
Houseboat on Lake

Now for the fun stuff!  This looks like A LOT of stuff, and it is, but you’ll need most of it.  And remember, if you’re going with other people, you can split the list up between you all.

What to Pack for a Houseboat Trip:

Food

      • You will need everything. Make a menu.
      • Ice  – Safe Harbor Marina sells 20 lb. bags. They are located right next to us.
      • Coffee (we have drip coffee pots, we use reusable filters)
      • Spices (cinnamon, seasoning salt, steak spice…)
      • Butter
      • Cooking oil/Olive oil
      • Snacks
      • Drinks
      • S’more supplies!

Kitchen Essentials

      • Dish soap
      • Extra Dishwasher Pods (We provide 4 pods)
      • Extra Paper Towels (we provide 3 rolls)
      • Saran Wrap
      • Tin Foil
      • Ziploc bags
      • Disposable Plates forks/Spoons and cups (cut down on washing and conserve water, if you wish)
      • Plastic containers for leftover food

Essentials

      • Ax
      • Matches and Paper
      • Rope
      • Binoculars
      • Camera & Charger
      • Beach Chairs
      • Flashlights & extra batteries
      • Phone Chargers
      • Bathroom Hand Soap
      • Insect Repellent & Termacell
      • First Aid Kit (Band-Aids, polysporin, peroxide)
      • Duct Tape (you never know when you’ll need it!)
      • Cleaning wipes
      • Ice Chests
      • If you like to fish, bring fishing gear.  You must have an Arkansas Fishing License.  You can get a temporary on Arkansas Game & Fish website.
      • Children’s Life Jackets – Arkansas law requires children 12 and under to wear a life jacket at all times boating or swimming.

    Linens

        • Beach Towels
        • Laundry pods (We provide 4 pods)

    Clothing

        • Bathing Suit
        • Shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, UV Protectant long sleeved shirt.
        • Sweaters & warm pants for cool evenings and campfire time. (depending on time of year)
        • Rain jacket
        • Pajamas
        • Hiking or Walking Shoes
        • Sandals or Flip Flops
        • Hat
        • Sunglasses

    Toiletries

        • Your personal toiletries
        • Shampoo, conditioner and soap
        • Sunscreen
        • After Sun lotion
        • Moisturizing Lotion
        • 1 Ply Toilet Paper ONLY (We provide 4 rolls per bathroom, 5 rolls for longer stays.)

    Sporting Gear & Games

        • Playing Cards
        • Games for kids and adults
        • Books/Pen & Paper
        • Music
        • Kayak or small boat for exploring the shoreline
        • Floaties, noodles and tubes
        • Firewood

    If you like, feel free to download the Checklist and print it off to use!  

    If you see anything we may have missed, please shoot us email and let us know.

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    (501) 760-2659
    Lake Ouachita | Lake Hamilton