Knoxville Lakes

Lakes Close to Knoxville

The weather is warm and that means it’s time to plan your next family vacation. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Knoxville. A lake getaway can be amazing for people who love wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

Whether you’re itching to paddleboard, partake in some watersports, go for a swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Knoxville offer you lots of opportunities for aquatic fun. Take a look at the local listings below to see the options including small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Lakes Close to Knoxville

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

On a day trip to a lake near Knoxville you’ll find all kinds of things to do for 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 lake near Knoxville:

Picnic time. Knoxville’s lakes gives you the chance to visit many excellent picnic areas for you to pack up some portable delicacies, or you could just do some cheese and crackers while enjoying the scenery. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.

Catch some fish. For anglers, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Knoxville offer tons of fun and excitement for the kids, 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 prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach on a lake near Knoxville!

Lake Checklist

Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different depending on which lake you choose, the time of year, the weather, and the activities on your to-do list. For your convenience we’ve built out a short list of popular go-to items for you to use as a checklist before you hit the road.

The basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the weekend, our list of provisions below is a good starting point for essentials to have on hand.

  • Towels
  • Insect repellant
  • Portable stereo
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Bathing suits
  • UV protection
  • Beach blanket
  • Something to eat
  • A sunhat or glasses

More lake gear

Depending on what you’ll be doing when at the water and who will be joining you, the items below might also prove useful and adding to your checklist prior to departure.

  • Wine key
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Games for the beach
  • Goggles or masks
  • Bait
  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Fishing poles
  • Tackle box and lures

Lake Safety Checklist

Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, everyone’s safety is the most important part of your getaway. Following a few standard safety tips that should ensure that your whole group stays safe on the water.

  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Knoxville

Few people get a chance to make their way to the amazing lakes around Knoxville and might have a lot of questions regarding planning. Certainly, any body of water is going to have their own character and trappings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to look into while planning which could help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When you have time for a lengthier trip, find local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water at an affordable price.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches may be swarmed with tourists. If you want some more space to spread out, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or tubing with the kids. Doing a quick Google search can typically help you locate options for renting the perfect boat.