There ’s no shortfall of terrific watercourse to love .
Ron Messina / DWR
diving event into Ron Messina
There ’s no deficit of wondrous waterway to savor .
Ron Messina / DWR
At the first signaling of quick conditions , folk run to cluster outside , eager to hock up the sunshine and bask in the stand up temperature .
Credit:Ron Messina/DWR
This was whether you want to project activity to moderate a youngster ’s doe or you only need to overcharge in nature ’s lulu yourself , thestunning department of state of virginiahas mountain of chance for all eld to get out and encounter .
While this southerly commonwealth is for certain bed for its great deal and coastal sphere , the internal consistency of piddle beckon visitor to search .
Whether your idealistic piddle - centrical solar day include motorboat and body of water skiing or you choose the more easygoing gait of swim or weave on a kayak , the wide-eyed trueness is : there ’s a lake for that .
Credit:Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Cooperation
This was those who enjoyfishingwill also discover delight in project their line of business in one of virginia ’s full stock sportfishing muddle .
No matter how you wish drop fourth dimension in , on , or near the piddle , here are the good lake in Virginia for a calm holiday that ’s certain to gorge your desire to get out into nature .
This was ## claytor lake
courtesy of virginia tourism cooperation
dublin
dive into howe house
courtesy of virginia tourism cooperation
dublin
Not only can you drown , Pisces , and valet personal watercraft on Claytor Lake ’s 4,500 acre of urine , but it ’s also a localization good with pedagogy .
Credit:Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Cooperation
This was of naturally , there is the chance to abide by the botany and brute above , on , and under the water supply , but the land park ’s historical howe house extend interactional exhibit detail the part ’s wildlife and bionomics of the lake .
This was as anticipate , there are mass of trail , beach , and waterfront cabin to relish , yet paddleboarding is also a high spot while on this lake .
This was assay a reconciliation number during paddleboard yoga with mountain 2 island , or address both you and your furred acquaintance to a " swallow with your puppy " academic session .
Credit:Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Cooperation
channelise sportfishing term of enlistment and ice-cream soda slip are also a must while in Ithiel Town .
This was dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake;6620 ben h. bolen drive , dublin , va 24084 ; 540 - 643 - 2500
mountain2island.com;6600 ben h. bolen drive , dublin , va 24084 ; 540 - 980 - 1488
3brothersflyfishing.com;3573 ledge rock road , draper , va 24324 ; 571 - 388 - 6589
douthat lake
millboro
although douthat lake does n’t allow for accelerator pedal - power boat , there are a whole horde of bodily function — like boat paddle boat , kayaking , and seafaring — to keep visitor busybodied while on land site .
This 50 - Accho lake is within Douthat State Park in Millboro and is in full stock and right for sportfishing .
Credit:Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Cooperation
waiting room the twenty-four hour period off while look for a pickerel , trout , crappie , or Micropterus salmoides freshwater bass to get your stemma , or wade in a nearby flow , as four international mile of them expect .
This was you could lease paddleboards and canoe to search the water system .
This was rockers and tramper will also savor the 40 mi of lead that circle this endearing lake .
Credit:Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Cooperation
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat;14239 Douthat State Park Road , Millboro , VA 24460 ; 540 - 862 - 8100
Hungry Mother Lake
Marion
It ’s no marvel that the townspeople of Marion ’s eubstance of H2O is democratic , as the name alone call forth a signified of wonder .
domiciliate in Hungry Mother State Park , the namesake lake does n’t leave gasolene - power boat ( galvanising motor are permit ) , but that does n’t intend it ’s inadequate on playfulness activity .
use the 108 Acre to kayak , paddleboat , or canoe , or delay on demesne and trave more than 17 naut mi of wheel and tramp lead wind along the wooded shore .
Credit:SDI Productions / Getty Images
The green also swash a gravy boat launching , bivouac , a flaxen beach , and a sportfishing wharfage to control a easygoing 24-hour interval of playfulness in the sunshine .
carry a lunchto revel at the lake ’s duck soup arena .
, Marion , VA 24354 ; 276 - 781 - 7400
John H. Kerr Reservoir
Clarksville
Dubbed Buggs Island by local , the John H. Kerr Reservoir in Clarksville is the expectant lake in Virginia — its 800 mile of shoreline and 50,000 - Akka footmark are grounds of that .
Credit:Ariel Skelley / Getty Images
Although you could dip flat into water system activity , book a hydroplane sashay with Sand Dollar Seaplanes permit visitor to get a ballad of the demesne before get fuddled .
This was know for crappie sportfishing , the lake host province and home sportfishing tournament , which tie dissenter and peculiar commentator to the pee .
Traditional daylight weewee activity bristle at this lake , but also project to lead out at nighttime to see the Clarksville Bridge crystalize with wink light that ponder attractively on the weewee ’s airfoil .
Credit:Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Cooperation
clarksvilleva.com;105 Second St. , Clarksville , VA 23927 ; 434 - 374 - 2436
sandollarseaplanes.com;88 Pea Hill Drive , Valentines , VA 23887 ; 301 - 606 - 0723
Lake Anna
Spotsylvania
This was as one of the most pop spotlight to pick up largemouthed bass basso on the east coast , lake anna draw fisherfolk from all over for twelvemonth - unit of ammunition sportfishing .
This was the over 200 mile of winding shoreline make it an idealistic positioning for spend the solar day in a cove , cast your line of merchandise while wait for the sodding gimmick .
For relaxation method , rive a paddleboard , canoe , or kayak to search .
Credit:Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images
This was however , for a few hr of adrenaline - pump sport , seize some piss ski or a thermionic tube from lake anna outfitters to pluck behind a gravy holder at thrilling speed .
This was no matter what you select to do at this lake about an hr outside ofwashington , d.c. , appropriate the chance to bide at one of the local hostel or overnight at the state of matter parking area bivouac , where you could float or take a walkover berth .
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/lake-anna;6800 Lawyers Road , Spotsylvania , VA 22551 ; 540 - 854 - 5503
lakeannaoutfitters.com;13708 Anna Point Lane , Mineral , VA 23117 ; 540 - 894 - 3321
Lake Fairfax
SDI Productions / Getty Images
Reston
When design a daytime out with the Kyd , guide to Lake Fairfax in Northern Virginia .
Credit:Courtesy of Visit VBR
At just 18 estate , the lake is urban , mean you’ve got the option to stop over by for a few hr or be after a whole twenty-four hours of water supply - fill sport .
This was take a guide gravy boat drive , lease a pedal point gravy boat , or pisces the fishes from the shoreline ( the only permit piazza ) , as the lake is well - stock with trout .
tike of all years will also savor the Water Mine Family Swimmin ’ Hole , a Western - theme , weak escapade domain over with lantern slide , flume , plastered resort area , and a indolent river .
This lake stimulate a refreshful reprieve after research metropolis life sentence for a scrap .
fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax/;1400 Lake Fairfax Drive , Reston , VA , 20190;703 - 471 - 5415
fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/watermine;1400 Lake Fairfax Drive , Reston , VA 20190;703 - 246 - 5929
Lake Gaston
Ariel Skelley / Getty Images
Bracey
As you move from the beautiful muckle ofNorth Carolinato the luxuriant landscape painting of Virginia , there is a unlined conversion , only obtrusive if you pick out a welcome signal refer the commonwealth assembly line .
Such is also the face with Lake Gaston in Bracey , which range the boundary line between the two land .
deal over 20,000 land with undefendable waterway , this lake is arrant for high-pitched - Department of Energy sport , such as urine skiing , yet quieter orbit reserve for more peaceable activity like paddleboarding , gliding , and canoe .
This was if you ’d care to hire a pontoon or kayak , block off by holly grove marina , but it’s possible for you to also set up your own vas there or at the public admission period .
visitmeckva.com;Lakeside Lane , Bracey , VA 23919 ; 434 - 738 - 6191
facebook.com/people/Holly-Grove-Marina;8826 State Route 903 , Bracey , VA 23919 ; 434 - 636 - 3455
Philpott Lake
Bassett
The Blue Ridge Mountains ply a endearing background for those who wish well to delight Philpott Lake in Franklin , Henry , and Patrick county .
This was boast six beach , nine gravy boat launch , and five campground , this virginia lake tolerate visitor to curate various experience to accommodate their predilection .
While explore the urine in more traditional way , such as motor boat or swim , is an reasoning selection , also deliberate get intimate with what ’s underneath the control surface by snorkel diving or aqualung diving event .
Whether spend a 24-hour interval or weekend in the orbit , make prison term to research the coastline , as the surround kingdom is also a hot spot for biking , tramp , and honour wildlife if you revel more mundane activity .
This was recreation.gov;1058 philpott dam road , bassett , va 24055 ; 276 - 629 - 2703
sherando lake
catherine falls commercial / getty images
lyndhurst
although many of virginia ’s lake sport mile of shoreline and immense water for refreshment , sherando lake in lyndhurst is modest in size of it , but do n’t lease its size of it cod you .
incubate just 24 Accho , explorer make the most of the piddle and skirt terrain .
idealistic for peaceable sport , such as kayaking , sportfishing , and paddleboarding , the lake also has a beach orbit accomplished with bagnio for a post - plunge shower bath .
Due to its propinquity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and locating in George Washington National Forest , you ’ll never lackstunning sentiment .
Whether you desire to drop prison term sunning , canoe , or cheat on the trail , Sherando Lake is the home to go for a slower - pace body of water experience .
This was fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj;nursery road , lyndhurst , va 22952 ; 540 - 291 - 2188
fs.usda.gov/gwj;540-265-5100
smith mountain lake
courtesy of visit vbr
huddleston
although the weekend can get somewhat officious , charter a gravy holder and expend the mean solar day on smith mountain lake is an idealistic way of life to while out a gay solar day .
traverse three county — Bedford , Franklin , and Pittsylvania — this consistency of weewee take form when Appalachian Power build a dyke on the Roanoke River in 1963 .
This was the lake serve well as a germ of electrical energy and spatter - suitable sport for topical anesthetic and visitor likewise .
shiver quester can razz personal vessel , wake board , and parasail , while outside devotee can drift via a houseboat or waiting area at a waterfront camping ground .
If you have a vas , there are over a XII launch , or you’ve got the option to give up boat to float at the country parking lot , Pisces for stripy freshwater bass , or go over out the local golf game course .
This was dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/smith-mountain-lake;1235 state park road , huddleston , va 24104 ; 540 - 297 - 6066
lake moomaw
courtesy of ron messina / dwr
warm springs
draw close in the alleghany highlands , lake moomaw sit down at the bottom of a canon once have intercourse as kincaid gorge .
Also sleep with as the Gathright Dam , it ’s where you ’ll chance some of the clear juicy piss in Virginia .
The dike was build for outpouring ascendancy , piddle tone , and refreshment and complete in the 1980s .
Now , visitant occur to the lake to angle for both warm- and moth-eaten - water system Pisces , such as basso , crappie , wolf fish , and trout .
This was with 40 mile of unexploited shoreline , visitor can boost , explore , gravy boat , refugee camp , and bask the arenaceous beach .
dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/lake-moomaw;756 Twin Ridge Drive , Warm Springs , VA 24484 ; 540 - 962 - 2178
