Johnson City Lakes

Lakes Close to Johnson City

When the weather is right you just need to spend some time by the water. A stay at a lake is perfect for people that enjoy getting outside too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

There are countless brilliant motivations for making a trip to a lake in Johnson City during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer activities like boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Pack up the car with sunscreen and a picnic basket then hit the road on your next vacation and discover a brand new number one location on the water!

Lakes Near Johnson City

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near Johnson City 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 take a longer vacation to a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to make for a bigger, better getaway.

Any stay at the lake offers you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Johnson City 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 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!

Partake in some delicious delights outside. Johnson City’s lakes provide all sorts of excellent picnic areas for you to pack up some tasty treats, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy while enjoying the scenery. For a romantic evening, a picnic on the beach is hard to beat.

Grab a board. If you like to paddle around, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake near Johnson City with a boat launch and get out and soak up the scenery on the waterfront.

Lake Checklist

Your plan for a lake getaway can vary quite a bit depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and your plan of attack. For your convenience we’ve put together a list of our favorite go-to items for you to use as a checklist before you hit the road.

General items

If the plan is to be in the sun for most of the vacation, the following list of items should be an excellent starting point for essentials to have on hand.

  • A receptacle for trash
  • Swimsuits
  • Food and snacks
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Sunglasses
  • Dry shirt
  • Proper footwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • A blanket or sheet

Specialty lake stuff

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

  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Swimming goggles
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Wine key
  • Worms or other bait
  • Safety gear like life jackets

Staying Safe on a Lake

Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. Following a few standard safety tips that should ensure that your whole group stays safe while around the lake.

  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

More Ideas for Lake Fun

Not everyone has had the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Johnson City and might have a lot of questions on ways to maximize their fun. Certainly, any body of water will have unique qualities and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to look into when planning which could help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Maximize the best local resources. If there’s time for a longer trip, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Using a search engine can usually allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
  3. Pay attention to the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes the beaches near Johnson City may be really busy. If you want some space to yourself, research multiple lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!