Nashville Lakes

Lakes Around Nashville

The weather is warm so it’s time to plan your next grand getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Nashville. Lucky for you, when you visit Nashville there are lots of options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

Whether you’re looking to go kayaking, partake in some watersports, go swimming, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Nashville provide you with lots of options for aquatic activities. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Pack up your vehicle with your fishing gear and snacks then make the trip your next day off and discover your own number one location on the water!

Lakes Close to Nashville

Lake Activities

A day trip, or a more lengthy getaway offers an almost limitless list of things to do for couples or families.

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

Have a picnic. The lakes near Nashville offer all sorts of top-notch picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite foods, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy while enjoying the scenery. If you’re with that special someone, good food and a view should be suitably romantic.

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 drifting behind a trolling motor or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If paddling is your thing, load up your preferred vessel and find yourself a lake with a public launch and start paddling around to soak up nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

A lake day itinerary can vary quite a bit depending on which lake you’re going to, the season, and the activities on your to-do list. To make things easier we’ve assembled a rundown of our favorite go-to items for you to use as a checklist for your getaway.

The basics

If the plan is to be in the sun for the majority of the day, the list below is a good starting point when it comes to the necessities you are likely to need.

  • Towels
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Sunscreen
  • A receptacle for trash
  • USB charger
  • Sunglasses
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Something to eat
  • Radio or speaker

More lake stuff

Take into consideration your planned activities when at the water and your guests, the list of gear might also prove useful and worth a quick spot check before you get on the road.

  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Something to read
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Wine key
  • Goggles or masks
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Bait
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Safety gear like life jackets

Lake Safety Checklist

While spending a weekend on your favorite body of water can be ample amounts of fun, you always have to keep safety in mind. A day on the lake means safety first so these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • 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
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

More Nashville Lake Tips

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes around Nashville, there are a few things that will make your trip plan much more successful. As an example, every lake near Nashville has unique environment so it’s important to take into account what you need to make an enjoyable adventure when planning yours.

  1. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will typically allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches may be swarmed with beachgoers. If you want a little more privacy, do some digging on a variety of lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. Make the most of unique assets in the area. If there’s time for a longer stay, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to camp near or even on the water at an affordable price.