Lakes Close to Jacksonville
Sometimes you just need to gather your family and friends and make time to be by the water. A stay at a lake can be wonderful for those that enjoy the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.
There are numerous brilliant motivations for making a trip to a lake in Jacksonville while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment like wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Jacksonville have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Scan the data directly beneath this paragraph and have a look the options from swimming lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.
Lakes Close to Jacksonville
Things to Do at the Lake
A day trip to the lake, or a longer getaway gives you a nearly limitless list of activities for people of all stripes.
Every getaway at the lake offers you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.
Water sports. If you’ve got access to a ski boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake showing off your water sports talents? Hit the water and go tubing or skiing as the lakes near Jacksonville provide you with all kinds of choices.
Go fishing. For anglers, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water 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.
Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Jacksonville will offer all kinds of laughs and games for the youngsters, 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 nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach on a lake near Jacksonville!
Lake Getaway Prep
Everyone’s beach getaway will be unique depending on which lake you go to, when you go, and what you want to do for entertainment. However, we put together a list with some of our favorite ideas for your next summer trip so you have everything you need!
Common lake items
For a day spent on the water you’ll probably want to take some of the things in our list below so that you’ll be safe, comfortable, and getting the most out of your getaway.
- Bluetooth speaker
- Bathing suits
- Towels and dry clothes
- Proper footwear
- Insect repellant
- Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
- Portable phone charger
- A blanket or sheet
- Sunscreen
- Dry shirt
Additional lake items
The gear in the list below could be helpful for getaways to the lake based on your plans. You may want to double check for some of these prior to hitting the road.
- Your tackle box
- Fishing poles
- Rafts for the kids
- Corkscrew
- Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
- Swimming goggles
- Games for the beach
- Paper towels and sanitizer
- Safety gear like life jackets
- Your favorite magazine or book
Staying Safe on a Lake
Of course spending a weekend to the lake can provide lots of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. A day on the lake means safety first so here are some important safety tips.
- Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
- Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
- Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
- Always swim with a buddy
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
- Always wear sunblock
More Ideas for Lake Fun
When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes around Jacksonville, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that can make your weekend gameplan far more successful. As an example, each individual lake is going to have their own qualities and surroundings which makes it important to take into account what you need to make an enjoyable adventure as you plan yours.
- Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will 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 a day of watersports. Using a search engine will usually help you locate options for renting the perfect boat.
- Maximize the best local resources. If you have time for a longer trip, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the ability to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
- Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes beaches can get exceptionally crowded. If you want some more peace and quiet, research a variety of lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!