Lakes Near Florence
It’s summertime and that means it’s time to plan your next family vacation. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Florence. A lake getaway is wonderful for those that enjoy the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.
There are numerous brilliant reasons for making a trip to a lake in Florence while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer activities like boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Pack up your vehicle with your fishing gear and snacks then set out your next day off and discover a brand new number one location on a lake!
Lakes Close to Florence
A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary
On a day trip to a lake near Florence there are many things to do for families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight to a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to make for a bigger, better getaway.
A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water gives you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.
Get a little crazy with the water sports. Should you be able to get access to a fast boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports skills? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of choices.
Grab a board. If you want a little physical activity, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake that has a public launch and get out and soak up the scenery on the waterfront.
Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Florence will offer tons of fun for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active 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! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach!
Preparing for a Day on the Lake
A day at the lake can be very different based on the lake you’re heading to, what time of year it is, and what you want to do for entertainment. For your benefit, we put together a list with some of our favorite ideas for your next summer trip to ensure nothing gets forgotten!
General items
When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the vacation, the following list of items is a good starting point when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.
- Bathing suits
- Sunscreen
- Flip flops or water shoes
- Food and snacks
- Bug spray
- Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
- Radio or speaker
- Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
- Travel dinnerware and cups
- Something to dry off with
Specialty lake gear
The list of items below might prove useful for getaways to the lake depending on what your plans are. It’s also worth checking prior to hitting the road.
- Masks and snorkels
- Fishing poles
- Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
- Tackle box and lures
- Baby gear (if necessary)
- Toys for the beach
- Books
- Bait
- Fishing and boating licenses
- Corkscrew
Lake Safety
While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Florence, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Here are some general tips that should ensure that you and your family are always safe at your favorite Florence lake.
- Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
- Keep your distance from wildlife
- Always wear sunblock
- Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
- Make sure no one swims alone
- Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Florence
Not everyone has had the opportunity to make their way to the amazing lakes around Florence and might have a lot of questions on ways to maximize their fun. Certainly, each lake near Florence will have their own character and trappings, but you should keep in mind a few things to look into while assembling your itinerary which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.
- Find a marina. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search will typically help you locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
- Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches can get extremely crowded. If you want some more space to spread out, do some digging on multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
- Maximize unique local resources. If there’s time for a lengthier stay, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.