Packing for a lake stay is different from packing for a city break, and different again from packing for the beach. After several years of hosting on Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, here is what guests actually need, and what they consistently forget. Here’s what to pack for a Lake Norman Getaway.
Leave it at home
Towels, linens and toiletries. Every home comes with premium linens and towels, and the bathrooms are stocked before you arrive. Kitchen basics too, since the essentials are ready and waiting rather than something you buy on day one and abandon on day seven. And kayaks or paddleboards, which are already at our lakefront homes along with the fishing gear.
Bring more than you think
- Sunscreen. There is no shade on open water and the reflection doubles everything. Guests underestimate this every single summer.
- Water shoes. The shoreline is not sand everywhere. A cheap pair makes getting in and out of the water far more pleasant, particularly for children.
- A dry bag. Phones and paddleboards are a bad combination, and a small dry bag solves it.
- Layers. Mornings and evenings on the water are cooler than the forecast suggests, in every season.
- Insect repellent. Piedmont evenings near water in summer, particularly at dusk.
Season by season
Summer means swimwear, hats, sunglasses and something long-sleeved for the evening. Spring and autumn mean layers, walking shoes and a light waterproof, because both seasons can swing a long way in a single day. Winter means proper coats, and swimwear anyway if your home has a hot tub, which several do.
If you are bringing the dog
Many of our homes are pet-friendly. Bring a towel for the dog specifically, a bed they already know, and a lead for the parks. Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius has a large fenced dog run if they need to burn off a day in the car.
The genuinely forgotten
Phone chargers, a phone mount for the drive, reusable water bottles, and a decent cool bag for taking lunch out on the water. None of them ruin a trip, all of them mean an unplanned shop on the first afternoon.
Travel light, because most of what you would normally pack is already in the house. Browse our homes to see exactly what is included, or check availability for your dates.
