Asheville Lakes

Lakes Near Asheville

Sometimes you just need to spend some time by the water. A lake getaway is amazing for people who love wildlife too, as they are a great way to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking to go kayaking, get active with water skiing, go for a swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Asheville provide you with numerous opportunities for outdoor fun. Has there ever been a better time? Load up the car with your fishing gear and a cooler then hit the road your next day off and discover your own number one spot on a lake!

Lakes Close to Asheville

Things to Do at the Lake

A quick excursion to a lake, or a more lengthy trip offers an almost endless list of activities for people of all stripes.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you make your way to a lake near Asheville:

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you want a little physical activity, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake near Asheville that has a public launch and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, why not get out on the water and start zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Hit the water and go tubing or skiing as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of choices.

Get in the water. Finding a swimming lake near Asheville will offer all kinds of fun for the youngsters, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a beautiful public beach on a lake near Asheville!

Lake Getaway Prep

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, and what you want to do for entertainment. While every trip is its own animal, we put together a list that will give some ideas for your next summer trip so you have everything you need!

The basics

If the plan is to be in the sun for the vast majority of the day, the following list of items should be an excellent place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Bathing suits
  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Bottle opener
  • Bug spray
  • Towels
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Food
  • Sunblock
  • Portable phone charger

Additional lake gear

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

  • Kindle
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Wine key
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Fishing gear
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Rafts for the kids
  • Worms or other bait

Lake Safety

Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. These safety tips should make sure that you and your family remains safe on the water.

  • 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
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • 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

More Asheville Lake Tips

If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes around Asheville, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that will make your weekend gameplan far more rewarding. For example, each lake has their own environment which makes it important to think about what you need to make an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Do homework on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally beaches may be extremely busy. To find more space to spread out, do some digging on multiple lakes and beaches 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 biggest, most popular beach!
  2. Make the most of the best local resources. When you have time for a lengthier trip, find local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
  3. Find a marina. 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 a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will usually help you locate options for renting the perfect boat.