Lakes Around Athens
It’s summertime so it’s time to start planning your upcoming summer adventure. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Athens. As it turns out, when you visit Athens there are some options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.
Whether you’re itching to float in a tube with a book, get active with wakeboarding, swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Athens offer you plentiful options for outdoor activities. Take a look at the table directly beneath this paragraph to have a look the options including small lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you to enjoy.
Lakes Close to Athens
Things to Do at the Lake
On a day trip to a lake near Athens you’ll find all kinds of activities that can be enjoyed by families, couples, or with a group of friends. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight to a hotel or AirBnB to make for a bigger, better getaway.
Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you visit a Athens lake:
Swimming. Finding a swimming lake near Athens will offer all kinds of fun for the big kids and little ones, 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! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach!
Grab a board. If you like to paddle around, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and enjoy nature’s beauty in all it’s glory.
Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, why not spend the day flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports skills? Hit the water and go wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the all sports lakes offer you a number of options.
How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake
Your plan for a lake getaway can honestly be all over the map depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the season, and what you want to do while you’re there. For your convenience we’ve assembled a rundown of popular lake items that you can use as a checklist for your getaway.
Lake basics
If the plan is to be in the sun for most of the day, the list below should be an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.
- Sunglasses
- USB charger
- Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
- Towels
- A beach blanket and umbrella
- Garbage bags
- Portable stereo
- Bottle opener
- Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
- Sweatpants and sweatshirt
Additional lake stuff
The gear in the list below might prove useful for getaways to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check for some of these before heading out.
- Fishing gear
- Games for the beach
- Safety gear like life jackets
- Wine key
- Bait
- Fishing and boating licenses
- Rafts and floaties
- Diapers and baby gear
- Swimming goggles
- Books
Lake Safety
Of course spending a weekend at your favorite body of water can be ample amounts of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.
- 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
- Always wear sunblock
- Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
- Don’t swim alone
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
Some More Tips
Few people get the opportunity to make their way to the amazing lakes around Athens and likely have a few questions on ways to maximize their fun. Certainly, each lake near Athens will have unique qualities and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a handful of items to review when planning which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.
- Rent a boat. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local can usually allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
- Maximize unique local resources. When you have time for a lengthier trip, find local state campgrounds and parks that offer the ability to stay near or even on the water at an affordable price.
- Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near Athens could be really busy. If you want some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!