Tallahassee Lakes

Lakes Near Tallahassee

Every once in a while you just need to pack up and find a spot on the water. A lake getaway is amazing for those who love getting outside too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are numerous brilliant arguments for making a trip to a lake in Tallahassee while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, fun summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. The time is now! Pack up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a cooler then hit the road your next day off to find your own favorite spot on the water!

Lakes Close to Tallahassee

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A quick excursion to a lake, or a longer trip offers an almost limitless list of things to do for people of all stripes.

A day, weekend, or a week on or in the water offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Fishing. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Partake in some delicious delights outside. Tallahassee’s lakes offer a wealth of great picnic areas for you to pack up some foods, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage as you enjoy the view. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view is hard to beat.

Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a fast boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water showing off your water sports talents? Take the family out for some tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes offer you several choices.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

A day at the lake can vary quite a bit when you take into consideration which lake you’re going to, the weather forecast, and the activities on your to-do list. However, 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.

General items

For a day spent on the water you will likely need to bring along some of these items so that you’ll be safe, healthy, and enjoying your time.

  • A cooler and drinks
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Reserve clothing
  • Food
  • Radio or speaker
  • Sunglasses
  • Proper footwear
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Something to dry off with
  • Sunblock

More lake stuff

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing when at the water and your guests, the items below will likely be helpful and worth packing before you make the trip.

  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Corkscrew
  • Something to read
  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Fishing poles
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Rafts and floaties

Staying Safe on a Lake

Of course a day at the lake should be tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some important safety tips.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves

Some More Tips

Not everyone has had a chance to make their way to the lakes near Tallahassee and might have a few questions regarding planning. Of course, no matter where you go each lake is going to have unique qualities and trappings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to review when planning that might help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Make the most of unique local resources. When you have time for a lengthier getaway, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the ability to stay right on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Find a marina. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a day of watersports. Doing a quick Google search can typically help you find a marina that has what you need.
  3. Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally beaches can get extremely crowded. To find more space to spread out, research a variety of nearby beaches and lakes 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!