18 Etiquette Rules For Lake House Guests That Will Help You Earn Another Invite

Summer rolls around and with it, the sticky humidity that accompanies the Southern heat. The only way to beat it? A body of water. If you aren't lucky enough to have access to a pool or waterfront yourself, the question quickly becomes: ”Whose lake or beach house can I snag an invite to?” So if you're invited to someone’s lake house, it’s important to be an impeccable guest.

While many of the known house guest etiquette rules still apply, there are a few more specific to lake living and shared homes to keep in mind. A weekend at the lake always feels a bit like adult summer camp and with that a few rules always help keep everything in line and more fun for everyone at the end of the day. Stay on top of these lake house guest guidelines and you’re sure to earn an invite on the next weekend lake getaway.

Keep Screen Doors Closed

Don’t let any uninvited pests or critters inside. Make sure to always close the screen doors behind you to keep those pesky mosquitoes outside. Screened windows, doors, and porches are a great way to get a little fresh air minus the bugs, so be sure to help keep it that way.

Hang Up Wet Towels!

Wet towel and swimsuit etiquette always seems to be a topic of conversation and applies when around any body of water. At the end of the day take care to hang damp items in appropriate and designated spaces, whether it’s a porch railing or bathroom hook. And certainly don’t leave anything wet on wooden floors or furniture. 

Offer To Stop At The Store On The Way 

Lake houses are often in more remote locations which might mean it’s a haul to the nearest convenience store. Always check in with your host before arriving to ensure all the essentials are stocked and they don’t need a last minute grocery run.

Put The Hide-A-Key Back 

Oftentimes lake homes are used by multiple family members and different generations, which means a key might live tucked away somewhere outside. Always be sure to put the key right back in its secret spot after unlocking the door. No one wants to show up only to find they’re locked out because a previous visitor forgot to put the hidden key back.

Bring Your Own Sunscreen

Not only is it always a good idea to have a few extra bottles floating around, but you also don’t want to rely on the home’s supply for multiple reasons. First, to avoid diminishing your host’s supply. Second, bottles often accumulate and expire without you realizing it which could lead to an unwanted sunburn. And lastly, bringing your own ensures you don’t end up without your own protection.

Help Pack The Cooler 

Whether your crew is just heading down to the dock (not a wharf or pier) for the afternoon or out on the boat, a cooler full of drinks and snacks is a necessity. So be helpful! “I feel like it always takes longer than we'd like to get out for a day on the water, so definitely offer to help pack the cooler and then carry things to the boat,” says Associate Social Media Director Brennan Long.

Offer To Pay For Boat Fuel 

If your host graciously takes you out on the water, always offer to pay for fuel for the boat. Even if they’ve already filled up ahead of time, let them know you’d be happy to reimburse them.

Adhere To All Boat Rules

Just because there’s a boat in the slip, doesn’t guarantee an outing. “Don't ask your host to take you on the boat, wait until they offer. Otherwise, don't mention it,” says Sims. From capacity and life jackets to weather conditions and docking the boat, do what your host asks of you and help remind others as well—especially children. “When someone is docking the boat, help if you know what to do or if they ask you. If not, get out of the way,” says Long. “The same thing goes for leaving the dock.”

Enjoy The Sunset! 

Whether from the dock or on the boat for an end-of-day cruise—enjoying the sunset is an unspoken lake rule. There’s just something about the sun setting on the water that can’t be missed.

Always Help Cook 

Dividing and conquering always makes a long weekend more relaxing for everyone. Offer to handle cooking dinner or prepping lunch one day to allow your host to put their feet up and relax. “If you're staying the weekend, offer to take care of at least one meal,” says Senior Digital Editor Jenna Sims.

Don't Sit On Any Furniture In A Wet Swimsuit

Wet towels come with their own set of rules, but you should also beware of sitting on any furniture in a damp swimsuit or clothing. Though the rule mostly applies to indoor furniture, take note of any porch cushions that one might not be happy to find wet later when trying to enjoy cocktail hour. If kids are in tow, it’s your responsibility to help remind them of this—not your host.

Be Prepared For Not-So-Sunny Weather

Unfortunately your host can’t control the weather any better than you can. “This should go without saying, but if you're not having good weather at the lake, don't be a mope,” says Senior Homes and Features Editor Betsy Cribb Watson. “Be a team player and keep morale high!”

Lean Into Lake Life 

From appliances that might be outdated and creaking doors to wonky showerheads and top bunks—embrace the lake house for its quirks. And definitely don’t question if the wifi or tv doesn’t work. Relax and enjoy the outdoors and slower pace of lake life.

Watch Your Kids

Remember your host is not your lifeguard. While you’re likely right to assume everyone is on high-alert when kids are around any body of water, that doesn’t make them anyone else's responsibility unless you explicitly say “Hey! Can you watch Johnny for a minute while I run inside?” Otherwise keep close watch and follow your host’s lifejacket requirements.

Be Creative With Host Gifts

A bottle of wine or new candle is always appreciated, but it’s nice to take the location and occasion into consideration. Bring a new puzzle or game that can make for a fun rainy afternoon activity.

Don't Track Dirt Into The House 

While this is nothing new, wet feet can be an unforeseen culprit for tracking grass, dirt, and even sand into the house at the lake. Even if just running in to grab a forgotten item, always be sure to wipe your feet outside to keep things tidy.

Follow Your Captain’s Orders 

If you do get nice weather and are able to take part in activities on the water, follow whatever safety standards the host is comfortable with. If they request that someone needs to put a life jacket on or that there are too many people to come on the boat all at once, don’t question it.

Help Close Up At the End of the Weekend

Always leave the house ready for the next person by embracing any check-in-and-out instructions. From turning on and off the ice maker to taking out the trash, every homeowner will have their own set of rules for opening and closing down the house. Lend a hand according to their instructions (even if it might not be the way you’d do something) in order to leave everything in shipshape for the next person. When it’s time to leave after the fun, always find a way to be helpful whether it’s doing loads of towels or putting away outdoor cushions. “Closing up a lake house at the end of the weekend is a bit more labor intensive, with putting water toys away and everything, so make sure to chip in accordingly,” says Cribb.