Sumter Lakes

Lakes Near Sumter

The weather is warm so it’s time to start planning your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Sumter. As it turns out, when you visit Sumter there are lots of great spots for spending time on the lake.

It doesn’t matter if you’re itching to float in a tube with a book, get active with watersports, swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Sumter offer you lots of options for outdoor activities. Browse through the table below and see your options including small lakes to all sports lakes for you to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Sumter

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Sumter you’ll find all kinds of things to do for people of all persuasions. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or decide to stay overnight to a hotel on the beach to enjoy yourself more fully.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you make your way to a Sumter lake:

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. For those in search of some exercise, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake near Sumter that has a public boat launch you can use and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Sumter offer tons of laughs and games for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a magnificent public beach on a lake near Sumter!

Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a fast boat, why not spend the day flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the all sports lakes offer you all kinds of options.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

A lake day itinerary can honestly be all over the map when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the season, and the activities on your to-do list. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of popular go-to necessities that you can use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

Lake basics

If the plan is to be in the sun for most of the vacation, the list below is an excellent place to start for essentials that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • Something to dry off with
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • A picnic basket
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Bathing suits

Specialty lake gear

Consider the itinerary when at the water and who will be in your entourage, the items below could make your day more enjoyable and worth a quick spot check before hitting the road.

  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Tackle box
  • Bait
  • Corkscrew
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Something to read
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Games for the beach

Lake Safety

Of course spending a weekend on your favorite body of water should be tons of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some important safety tips.

  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Sumter

When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes near Sumter, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that will make your trip plan substantially more successful. For example, each individual lake near Sumter is going to have their own qualities and surroundings which makes it important to think about what will make for an unforgettable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Make the most of the best local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local state parks and recreation areas that offer the ability to stay near or even on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches may be very busy. If you want some more peace and quiet, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most happening sandy party scene!
  3. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a day of watersports. Asking a local can usually help you locate a marina that has what you need.