Fayetteville Lakes

Lakes Close to Fayetteville

It’s summertime and that means it’s time to plan your next summer adventure. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Fayetteville. Fortunately, when you visit Fayetteville you have lots of options for spending time on the lake.

There are countless great motivations to visit a lake in Fayetteville during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer entertainment like boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are ideal for working on your tan. Has there ever been a better time? Load up the car with your beach goodies and a picnic basket then make the trip this weekend to find a brand new number one location on a lake!

Nearby Lakes for Fayetteville

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A quick excursion to a lake, or a more lengthy getaway gives you an almost boundless list of things to do for couples or families.

Any stay on or in the water offers you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, why not spend the day zipping around the lake showing off your water sports expertise? Take the family out for some wakeboarding or knee boarding as the local lakes give you several choices.

Start paddling. If paddling is your thing, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake near Fayetteville that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Picnic time. The lakes near Fayetteville offer a wealth of top-notch picnic areas where you can enjoy tasty treats, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage by the water. For a romantic evening, good food and a view is hard to beat.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

A day at the lake can vary quite a bit when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the time of year, the weather, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of popular lake items that you can use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

Lake basics

When you’re out on a lake near Fayetteville you’ll probably want to take along several of these items so that you’ll be feeling good, healthy, and getting the most out of your getaway.

  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Radio or speaker
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Bathing suits
  • Sunblock
  • Something to eat
  • Garbage bags

More lake items

The gear in the list below could be helpful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check some of these before heading out.

  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Wine key
  • Bait
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Fishing gear
  • Safety gear like life jackets

Lake Safety Checklist

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Fayetteville, everyone’s safety is the most important part of your getaway. Here are some general tips that should make sure that you and your family are always safe at your favorite Fayetteville lake.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Fayetteville

Not everyone has had the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Fayetteville and might have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, any body of water will possess unique qualities and surroundings, but you should keep in mind a handful of items to look into when planning that might help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Maximize unique assets in the area. When there’s time for a longer trip, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to stay right on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches can get very crowded. If you want a little more privacy, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. No boat, no problem. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local will usually help you find options for renting the perfect boat.