Columbia Lakes

Lakes Around Columbia

When the weather is right you should gather your family and friends and make time to be near the water. Fortunately, when you make a trip to Columbia there are some great spots for getting on, or in the water.

It doesn’t matter if you’re itching to paddleboard, partake in some watersports, swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Columbia offer you plentiful opportunities for aquatic activities. Take a look at the table directly beneath this paragraph and have a look the nearby locations including swimming lakes to larger lakes for you and the family to visit.

Nearby Lakes for Columbia

Lake Activities

When you visit a lake near Columbia there are many activities that can be enjoyed by groups of all types. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel on the beach to enjoy yourself more fully.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you visit a Columbia lake:

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Columbia provide tons of laughs and games for the big kids and little ones, 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 sandy beach and a designated swimming area before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a glorious public beach!

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski 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 tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes offer you several choices.

Go fishing. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re out on a boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Lake Checklist

Your plan for a lake getaway 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. For your convenience we’ve assembled a rundown of our favorite lake items that you can use as a checklist for your getaway.

General items

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the vacation, the list below is an excellent starting point when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Backup clothing
  • USB charger
  • Bug spray
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • Towels
  • Food
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Bathing suits
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Radio or speaker

Specialty lake gear

The following items could be helpful for getaways to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check for some of these before heading out.

  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Bait
  • Corkscrew
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Masks and snorkels

Lake Safety Tips

Of course spending a weekend at the lake should be lots of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. A day on the lake means safety first so here are some important safety tips.

  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • 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 Columbia Lake Tips

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes around Columbia, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that can make your trip plan substantially more successful. Case in point, each individual lake near Columbia is going to have unique features which makes it important to think about what will make for a memorable getaway when planning yours.

  1. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas where you can rent a boat. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local will usually allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches can get extremely crowded. To find some space to yourself, research a variety of lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the busiest, most happening beach!
  3. Make the most of unique assets in the area. If there’s time for a lengthier getaway, look for local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.