21 Top Lakes in Virginia

Some are nestled in mountains and surrounded by wooded forest, whereas others are discovered not removed from metropolis facilities, however all of Virginia’s lakes present scenic spots for relaxation and reflection. What’s extra, many Virginia lakes provide alternatives for every kind of recreation in nature, from fishing and boating to swimming and kayaking. Solely two of Virginia’s lakes are pure. The remainder have been shaped by damming rivers to create reservoirs not just for recreation but in addition for ingesting water, flood management and hydroelectric energy. Lots of Virginia’s lakes are situated inside state, county or city parks providing services – similar to picnic tables, boat launches, boat leases, campsites and cabins – that make it handy and enjoyable to benefit from the outdoor in your Virginia trip. This is a take a look at among the high lakes in Virginia.

With 500 miles of shoreline within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake is considered one of Virginia’s largest inland our bodies of water. Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Bedford County is the place you may discover one of many lake’s two public seashores; the opposite is in Smith Mountain Lake Group Park in Franklin County. Anglers recognize the alternatives to fish for striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and catfish. If you wish to get up near the lakeshore, take into account a cabin rental, tent website or RV website in Smith Mountain State Park, which is about 35 miles southeast of Roanoke. A comfy bed-and-breakfast not too removed from the lake is Frazier 102, named for its avenue deal with on 102 Frazier Highway in Alta Vista.

Stretching 17 miles throughout Louisa and Spotsylvania counties, in addition to a small slice of Orange County within the northeastern a part of the state, Lake Anna is situated about 80 miles south of Washington, D.C. This inland reservoir boasts 200 miles of shoreline. Curiously, Lake Anna has a public and a non-public facet. The general public facet presents many boat launches, fuel pumps, marinas and eating places, whereas the personal space of the lake will be accessed solely by native property homeowners. The general public part of the lake borders Lake Anna State Park, the place guests flock for swimming, boating, fishing and mountaineering. The state park’s sandy seaside space is family-friendly, with lifeguards on obligation from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. You’ll be able to keep in a single day in a cabin, lodge or perhaps a yurt on the state park; campsites are additionally obtainable. Additional afield, Stevenson Ridge in Spotsylvania presents lodging in Nineteenth-century cabins and cottages on a rural 87-acre property.

At 108 acres, Hungry Mom Lake is not an enormous physique of water, nevertheless it’s one of many state’s standard fishing lakes for its plentiful largemouth, smallmouth and noticed bass, in addition to crappie, carp and sunfish. Channel catfish, walleyes and musky are stocked yearly. The lake is situated inside Hungry Mom State Park in Smyth County, within the western a part of the state. Out of doors fans can get pleasure from picnicking, fishing, boating, mountaineering and swimming on the state park. Cabins, lodges, yurts and campgrounds can be found for in a single day lodging within the warm-weather months.

Lake Drummond is considered one of solely two pure lakes in Virginia (the opposite is Mountain Lake close to Newport, which has dried up and refilled lately). The remainder of Virginia’s lakes have been created by damming rivers. What’s nifty about Lake Drummond is that it is wholly contained inside the Nice Dismal Swamp Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, an essential 113,000-acre habitat and various ecosystem for natural world that straddles the Virginia-North Carolina border. This makes Lake Drummond a very good spot for bird-watching. The lake itself is simply 6 toes deep, nevertheless it permits for peaceable kayaking and canoeing. Lake Drummond is about 30 miles south of Chesapeake and 15 miles south of Suffolk, the place reasonably priced lodges embrace the Hilton Backyard Inn Suffolk Riverfront.

Virginia’s largest lake is John H. Kerr Reservoir within the south-central a part of the state. Stretching throughout the border into North Carolina, it is also called Buggs Island Lake and a few name it Kerr Lake. With greater than 800 miles of shoreline, this freshwater physique of water is understood for its ample alternatives for boating, water snowboarding, swimming and fishing. In truth, it is considered one of Virginia’s finest locations to fish for crappie, and the lake hosts many statewide and nationwide fishing tournaments. North Bend Park Campground has 249 primitive websites and electrical and water hookups near the water. Right here, you may additionally discover loads of services, together with a recreation path, a fishing pier, a ship launch, swimming seashores and a children playground.

Also referred to as Chesdin Reservoir, Lake Chesdin (about 30 miles southwest of Richmond) is situated within the japanese a part of the state, forming a part of the southern border of Chesterfield County. Boating, fishing, water snowboarding, canoeing and kayaking are standard actions to get pleasure from on the lake, and largemouth bass are plentiful right here. One place to simply entry the lake is Lake Chesdin Campground within the city of Church Highway, with its on-site boat ramp and sandy seaside. Throughout from the Lake Chesdin Campground is a ship touchdown for canoes and kayaks in Chesterfield County.

Occoquan Reservoir is on the southern border of Fairfax County and serves as a serious supply of ingesting water for northern Virginia. It offers a plethora of alternatives for water recreation, as properly. One place to get pleasure from recreation services is Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station. A ship launch permits outside fans to set off in canoes, kayaks or small energy boats. There are additionally boat leases and kayaking excursions obtainable. If it’s good to refill on fishing provides, you may cease by the bait store. There are a number of trails surrounding the lake, together with mountaineering, horseback using and mountain biking trails, for much more outside exploration. Price range-friendly Hampton Inn Potomac Mills/Woodbridge is 9 miles southeast of Fountainhead Regional Park.

South Holston Lake stretches 7,580 acres throughout southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee. Situated south of Abingdon, this lake is especially scenic because it’s surrounded by forest. From the wooded shoreline, guests can launch a leisure boat, a stand-up paddleboard, a kayak or a canoe for a enjoyable day on the water. The reservoir is residence to sportfish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, crappie and walleye, and it is stocked with brown, rainbow and lake trout. Campsites on the Virginia facet of the lake are situated at Washington County Park and Wolf Lair Campground. In any other case, take into account reasonably priced lodges in close by Abingdon, similar to Nation Inns & Suites by Radisson, Abingdon, VA, with charges that embrace breakfast.

Lake Gaston is located in southern Virginia, spanning about 35 miles (a big portion of which stretches throughout the border into North Carolina). It is simply east of John H. Kerr Reservoir. Boating, wakeboarding, water snowboarding, kayaking, canoeing are all standard leisure water actions vacationers can get pleasure from at this lake. From Holly Grove Marina, you may launch your personal boat or hire a pontoon boat or kayak. The marina additionally includes a deal with retailer and a deli serving breakfast and sandwiches. Simply throughout the water (and accessible through a highway) is Lake Gaston Americamps with 120 campsites accommodating tents to 45-foot RVs. Eight cabins every have two units of bunk beds.

Lake Fairfax Park is in northern Virginia about 20 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., providing a lot of alternatives for outside recreation. On 18-acre Lake Fairfax, guests can hire a kayak or pedal boat. Whereas swimming is not allowed within the lake, you may splash across the Water Mine Household Swimmin’ Gap, a water park with slides, water sprays and a lazy river. Lake Fairfax Park additionally options an old school carousel, a 15,000-square-foot skate park and wooded mountaineering trails. Keep near all of the motion within the park’s campground with its 136 campsites. In any other case, Homewood Suites by Hilton Reston is simply exterior the park.

Bear Creek Lake sits on the middle of Bear Creek Lake State Park in central Virginia, about 55 miles west of Richmond. Surrounded by Cumberland State Forest, this scenic spot is standard in warm-weather months for swimming, fishing and boating. Guests will discover a sandy seaside (with lifeguards Memorial Day to Labor Day) and a pier with motorboat, rowboat, paddleboat, stand-up paddleboard, canoe and kayak leases at this state park. Anglers can strive their hand at catching largemouth bass, crappie, bream and channel catfish. The state park additionally has horseback using, biking and mountaineering trails, in addition to an archery vary. Spend the evening right here in a country lodge or cabin, or hire a tent or RV campsite. Exterior the state park, Tru by Hilton Farmville is a budget-friendly lodging choice a couple of 20-mile drive south.

Sherando Lake is situated within the Blue Ridge Mountains, particularly the George Washington Nationwide Forest, about 40 miles west of Charlottesville. The 25-acre spring-fed lake is a part of the developed Sherando Lake Recreation Space, with alternatives for picnicking, boating, mountaineering, swimming from a sandy seaside and fishing. A smaller higher lake that is additionally a part of the recreation space is used primarily for fishing. A campground between the 2 lakes presents websites for tents and RVs. The sprawling Wintergreen Resort is a 10-mile drive west and presents multibedroom condos and houses for hire, in addition to single-bedroom visitor rooms.

The almost 4,400-acre Claytor Lake was shaped by the damming of the New River. One handy option to get pleasure from all this reservoir has to supply is to go to Claytor Lake State Park, which is nestled into considered one of its bends. Situated about 50 miles southwest of Roanoke, the state park presents services for swimming, fishing and boating. A neighborhood clothes shop rents pontoon boats, ski boats, fishing boats, canoes, kayaks and even hydrobikes. Catfish, muskie, walleye and striped bass are the forms of fish anglers can catch from this lake. Plus, it is a good spot to take a nature stroll, because the park options 7 miles of straightforward trails. In a single day lodging embrace campsites, cabins, lodges, yurts and a bunkhouse. The city of Dublin is residence to reasonably priced lodges, together with the Vacation Inn Specific Dublin, simply 5 miles away.

Thought of by many to be one of many prettiest lakes in Virginia, Philpott Lake is nestled within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 50 miles south of Roanoke. Like different reservoirs in Virginia, Philpott Lake is used for flood management and hydroelectric energy technology. The U.S. Military Corps of Engineers operates a customer middle on the north finish of Philpott Dam Highway not removed from Philpott Marina. The lake can also be chock stuffed with alternatives for recreation with 100 miles of shoreline, eight campgrounds, six seaside areas and 9 boat launches. The Hampton Inn Martinsville is considered one of a handful of price range and reasonably priced lodges in Martinsville, a couple of 20-mile drive southeast of the customer middle.

About 100 miles west of Charlottesville, Douthat Lake is situated inside Douthat Lake State Park, a historic leisure space that households have flocked to since 1936. The 50-acre lake is stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout throughout payment season (the primary Saturday of April to June 15 and once more from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31), so it is an particularly good time for youths to toss a line with the fish biting. In the summertime, charges and trout stocking are suspended. Vacationers can traverse the greater than 40 miles of mountaineering trails within the state park or benefit from the unguarded seaside for swimming (open Might by means of October). Cabins, lodges and campsites can be found inside the state park. In any other case, the Crimson Lantern Inn, housed in a 100-year-old constructing in downtown Clifton Forge, presents informal lodging.

Fairy Stone Lake is situated inside Fairy Stone Lake State Park, about 50 miles south of Roanoke and near Philpott Lake. The 168-acre reservoir is called after the “fairy stones” or uniquely formed rocks discovered within the space. The stones have an uncommon three-dimensional cross form, although some are simply single brick kind. In keeping with legend, they’re good luck, so in the event you discover one whereas visiting, remember to choose it up and pocket it. The lake itself is standard for kayaking and canoeing, and leases can be found within the state park. Guarded seaside swimming is on the market for a payment, and there are 10 miles of mountaineering, biking and horseback using trails. You may discover sunfish, largemouth bass and crappie to fish for right here. Lodging embrace cabins, lodges, yurts, tent campsites and RV websites with electrical energy and water. Martinsville is about 15 miles southeast and price range lodging on the town consists of the Consolation Inn close to Martinsville Speedway.

Burke Lake is in Fairfax County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The 218-acre lake is standard amongst anglers for its number of fish: largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, bluegill, white perch and sunfish are only a few of the various forms of fish you may catch right here. The reservoir is the centerpiece of Burke Lake Park, which presents a lot of leisure for visiting households. Within the warm-weather months, you may journey a carousel or miniature prepare, play mini-golf, stroll the 4.7-mile path across the lake, take a ship tour or hire a fishing boat, a kayak, a rowboat or a canoe from the marina. Swimming and stand-up paddleboarding aren’t permitted within the lake. There are 100 wooded campsites right here for tents or RVs as much as 25 toes lengthy; no electrical or water hookups can be found. In any other case, Embassy Suites by Hilton Springfield, providing free cooked-to-order breakfast, is 10 miles east.

Lake Keokee is in western Virginia, not removed from the border of Tennessee. Surrounded by Nationwide Forest land, the 92-acre lake is residence to largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. A quiet spot for boating and fishing, the lake has a public boat launch. It’s also possible to stroll across the 3.7-mile lakeshore loop. It is a day-use leisure space, so there are not any campsites close by. The closest lodge and tenting lodging are about 15 miles east in Large Stone Hole.

Previously referred to as Lake Maury, The Mariners’ Lake is a part of The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport Information. Whereas there’s a payment to enter the museum devoted to the world’s waters and maritime heritage, entry to the lake and park is free to the general public year-round. A 5-mile strolling path circles the lake. A preferred photograph op and picnic spot is Lions Bridge, overlooking the James River. Quite a lot of lodging, from price range to upscale, is on the market in Newport Information, together with the Newport Information Marriott at Metropolis Heart.

Lake Moomaw is within the Allegheny Highlands, surrounded by George Washington Nationwide Forest, about 75 miles north of Roanoke and near the West Virginia border. The lake is 12 miles lengthy and has about 43 miles of shoreline. The Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw Customer Heart on the southeast nook of the lake is an effective spot to study extra about leisure alternatives within the space, together with fishing (stocked trout are plentiful), mountaineering, boating and tenting. Contemplate reserving one of many 140 tent or RV campsites at Bolar Mountain Recreation Space. Or in the event you’re on the lookout for a extra comfy spot for relaxation and rest, the Vine Cottage Inn in Scorching Springs is a extremely rated bed-and-breakfast that has been welcoming visitors for greater than a century.

Twenty miles south of Lexington within the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 7-acre Cave Mountain Lake is a well-liked recreation space for households within the warm-weather months with its sandy seaside. It is also a peaceable spot for fishing, picnicking and mountaineering. Boats and different watercraft aren’t permitted on the lake. In terms of a spot to remain, the on-site campground presents 51 nonelectric websites. An alternative choice for close by lodging is Pure Bridge Historic Resort and Convention Heart, 8 miles north of the Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Space.