If you are a more experienced swimmer, check out the weekly open water swims offered by Wave One Open Water to hone your distance swimming. The only state in the U.S. without a single natural inland lake is Maryland. 614 E to Rt. Begin your search here. The lake is in a secluded area, though there are plenty of spaces in its car park. Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available for a fee. Large lakes. It’s difficult to say exactly which of Virginia’s lakes is the absolute cleanest, although many believe that Smith Mountain Lake … Smith Mountain Lake is a large reservoir located in southern Virginia that has become a beloved vacation destination for both residents and visitors. Activity at Lake Anna State Park centers around the 13,000-acre lake, one of the largest lakes in Virginia. The lake offers fishing, boating and swimming. Arguably Virginia’s most popular lake destination, Smith Mountain Lake is the second largest lake in the state with over 500 miles of shoreline. Devil's Bathtub in Virginia is perhaps one of the most spectacular swimming spots in the state, although it comes with a major disclaimer: the trek to get here is strenuous. Other activities include fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Website (703) 754-3326. For more information on this spot. Here, you’ll find a gorgeous, peaceful, mountain setting, beautiful scenery and crystal-clear lakes surrounded by granite mountains. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! However, the trails are unmarked and it's … Bass fishing tournaments are regularly held on the lake and have increased in … For more details about this site. You may not be on the coast, but you’ll easily forget it when you lie out on the sand of Lake Anna State Park’s swimming beach. Solon. About a 2-hour drive southwest from Washington, you’ll find one of the largest lakes in Virginia spreading over a scenic 13,000 acres. Premier Turf And Landscaping Inc. Landscape Designers & Consultants Snow Removal Service Water Gardens. Lake Arrowhead is a 39-acre man-made body of water located near Luray, VA, and offers swimming, fishing, boating, and a picturesque setting at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 13. to RT 747 at Mossy Creek. Lake Arrowhead is a 39-acre man-made body of water located near Luray, VA, and offers swimming, fishing, boating, and a picturesque setting at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Va. Cleanest water!!! Even better, guarded swimming is free for overnight guests. Here in Fairfax County Virginia many of the lovely spots in parks are prohibited for liability reasons as well as health reasons. Private Swimming Pools Recreation Centers Sports Clubs & Organizations. The lake is maintained by Friends of Claytor Lake, a non-profit organization that keeps the lake clean and safe. 1 Thank ktwickett . PR • • • • Sugar Hollow Reservoir (47 ac) On Moorman’s River 6 mi. There are many other walks around the Great Park which become less busy and have equally stunning scenery. You are reading "25 Best Swimming Lakes" Back to Top The lake sits within the very popular Claytor Lake State Park and the area is a wonderful destination for those looking to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, camping, and more. Nestled between Fredericksburg and Culpeper, Virginia, Lake of the Woods is a private residential community consisting of two lakes. If you’re curious as to which state has the most amount of lakes, the answer is Alaska. Virginia is home to an impressive array of beautiful lakes, and many of them make for inviting swimming holes, as you learned in the article above. Fish, boat, or swim at your heart's content! Lakes in Virginia - Virginia has an abuncance of quality lakes for fishing, boating, swimming and recreation. For more information, go here. The lake at Cacapon State Park have paddle boats to rent. Be sure to read through the directions thoroughly before attempting this hike. It won’t surprise you that the state with the least of lakes is Maryland, considering it has none, yet West Virginia is a close second with only one small lake (which is often referred to as a pond). Website (703) 368-9112. West Virginia has dozens of state parks and lakes, where the public can enjoy nature. What state has the least amount of lakes? Virginia has a variety of natural waters that are often used recreationally by Virginians and visitors. Virginia offers cabins, tent camping and RV sites in 28 of its magnificent parks. The answer is that only two hold the distinction of being natural Virginia lakes: Lake Drummond and Mountain Lake (not to be confused with Smith Mountain Lake). Enjoy our list of beaches & lakes in Virginia: Chesapeake Beach, Croatan Beach. • Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Lakes: Albemarle (35 ac) In White Hall, take Rt. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Upper Little Stoney Falls in Virginia can be accessed via the Little Stoney National Recreation Trail near Dungannon. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. Reply. Please, To learn about park offerings and overnight accommodations, email, Two More Unforgettable Experiences Under Two Hours from Williamsburg, Spend a Few Nights at the Beach this August, Two Unforgettable Experiences All Within an Hour of Williamsburg, Parks for the last splash of summer near Roanoke, Top 5 Reasons You'll Love Twin Lakes State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. This little waterfall has a swimming hole underneath as well as a swimming hole about .3 miles before you reach it. The lake is just minutes away from Lake Tahoe and is one of the top places to go swimming in the area. PR • • • • Sugar Hollow Reservoir (47 ac) On Moorman’s River 6 mi. Chris. You can bring power boats to the Potomac River and Sleepy Creek Lake in the wildlife management area. Swimming is allowed at your own risk and no lifeguards are on duty. One of the most beautiful lakes in West Virginia is Bluestone Lake, hiding in Bluestone State Park. Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited. west of White Hall on Rt. Canoeing, kayaking and tubing are preferred sports on the Cacapon River. • Swimming. As always, don’t forget to bring the appropriate swimming gear and ensure that you leave these swimming spots even better than you found them! Lake Drummond is a 3,100 acre fresh water lake at the center of the Great Dismal Swamp. Concessions and public restrooms are also on-site, making this a family-friendly venue. The lake is a small part of Windsor Great Park. As one of two lakes in West Virginia where you can scuba dive, Summersville Lake sprawls out over 2,718 acres of water surface and features a scenic 60-mile shoreline. Douthat State Park features a gorgeous lake with a man-made beach at the foot of the mountains. Like Devil's Bathtub, the pristine waters of Emerald Pond are a reward for those who have hiked to them. Continue on RT 718 past another swimming hole (see "Stokesville 2" for swimming hole here) then left on FR 95, follow signs to Todd Lake. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Public Swimming Pools in Virginia Beach, VA. Or, if you’re looking for a little swimming hole right in the middle of town, go no farther than the South end of the Luray Greenway. To … The lake is located in Pulaski County and stretches for twenty one miles. Stretch out on the white sandy beaches and don’t forget to pack a picnic (there are six shady shelters on-site). Summersville Lake. 675, follow to lake Swimming pools are closed for Summer 2020. Throughout West Virginia, you will find magnificent waterways. Please see this update for information on other state park beaches. That’s pretty high. Victory Lakes Swimming Pool. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. Located inside Bolar Mountain Campgrounds, the lake is surrounded by forest-covered mountains. NAVIGATION. Horseshoe Lake is the best natural swimming spot in the area, however the water is quite chilly so it’s best enjoyed on a hot day. Scottsville Lake (2 ac) On Hardware St. (Rt. The state’s lakes and rivers offer an abundance of recreational opportunities including whitewater rafting, boating, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, water tubing, fishing, scuba diving and more. Sitting on the Gauley River, Summerville Lake is the largest lake in West Virginia. Lake Moomaw Open Water Swim Covington, Lake Moomaw, Virginia . The Lake Moomaw One Mile Open Water Swim takes place amid the beautiful mountain landscape and breathtaking scenery of the Alleghany Highlands. Sleepy Creek Lake. 16800 Beverley Mill Dr. Broad Run, VA 20137. Its 800 kilometre shoreline has been highly developed with commercial, retail and residential buildings. An on-site campground invites you to stay for more than a day, and the sandy beach includes a bathhouse. The water here is warm enough to swim in during the summer months, and many visitors are attracted to its long, sandy coast. Virginia has an impressive variety of lakes, from manmade reservoirs to natural mountain lakes just waiting to be discovered. Pack up the kids, sunscreen, shades, beach towels and sun hat and head to a Virginia State Park. However, the trails are unmarked and it's easy to stray off of the main trail. And lucky for you, Virginia’s 269-mile stretch of the … People come to fish, swim, camp and for all kinds of boating. This freshwater lake is located near Newport, Virginia and is famous for being the background to a few scenes in Dirty Dancing. Begin your search here. The public swimming pool in Virginia is home to so many lakes that you may wonder which of them are natural. This spring-fed swimming pool is the perfect tonic for a hot summer day. Reply. Kerr Lake. The County has plenty of lovely parks with lakes, including the very convenient Lake Fairfax - which expressly prohibits swimming. Settle onto the beach area to … Great fishing beautiful views of the lake property surround by rolling, gentle Smith Mt. The 1,100 hectare lake boasts a 97 kilometre shoreline, with the Summersville Lake State Wildlife Area sitting along the north end of it. Tucked away in Charlottesville, you'll find the scenic and historic Blue Ridge Swim Club. Being 550 feet (170 m) long, it was billed as "the largest and most beautiful pool in the East." Lake Anna. Visitors are invited to swim in the refreshing waters of Lake Anna, which measures over 13,000 acres. Chris. Has a beautiful swimming lake also. I don't really want to try the Potomac - more dangerous and not the kind of open water I need. Like a lot of beginning triathletes I gather, I find the swimming portion the most intimidating so I've been taking some lap classes at nearby rec centers, etc. When the heat's on, it's time to get wet. The pool was built in an old rock quarry in the 1930s and opened by Joe, David, and Sam Wilan in 1942. You can bring power boats to the Potomac River and Sleepy Creek Lake in the wildlife management area. Virginia is home to an impressive array of beautiful lakes, and many of them make for inviting swimming holes, as you learned in the article above. 20. 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The lake’s surrounding towns and state parks (Willow Point is a local favorite) protect numerous swimming areas, a must when the Lake Chelan … The spring-fed swimming hole is tucked away in the George Washington National Forest and is every bit as refreshing as its pristine blue waters suggest. BATHING SUITS: Customary: DIRECTIONS: From Harrisonburg, take RT 42 south (through Bridgewater) for about 12 mi. There are a … In the state of VA, swimming beaches are currently closed but expected to open shortly. photo: Mary Kate A. via Yelp. 6 4. The lake is popular for water skiing and wake boarding, and you can rent pontoons and canoes here. west of White Hall on Rt. Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available for a daily fee. After a fun-filled day of swimming and lounging on the beach, you might consider staying for dinner at the newly-renovated lakeside restaurant. Virginia’s third largest lake, Lake Anna spans 13,000 acres with over 200 miles of winding shoreline. Thank you! Leesylvania State Park in Prince William County has a ½ mile beach on the Potomac; no swimming for humans but wading is allowed. On the eastern Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Kiptopeke State Park is the … We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. Or, if you have any favorites that may have missed the list, be sure to share those as well. Please check with each park for swimming availability before heading to the park. Triadelphia Reservoir, Howard County and Montgomery County . Interestingly, the park and the lake get their names from the Bluestone National Scenic River, not the magnificently blue waters of this pretty West Virginian landscape. Love Virginia? The beach is about a twenty minute walk from the town of Tangier, and there are also no facilities here. About a 2-hour drive southwest from Washington, you’ll find one of the largest lakes in Virginia spreading over a scenic 13,000 acres. It’s a great The area is gorgeous and not as crowded as some of the other swimming spots in Virginia. As one of the best lakes for largemouth bass on the East Coast, Lake Anna is a popular spot for year-round fishing. 795) north end of downtown off Rt. The Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, rivers, lakes, and streams provide great venues for swimming, boating, and fishing activities. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Some parts of it, however, are not parts in which you would like to swim. With an abundance of both mountains and rivers, the state is a prime location for picturesque swimming holes that look like they belong on a postcard. 614. Other areas along the James River are more suited for kayaks due to rapids. Hike in forests or mountain terrain, picnic by a lake, fish, swim or ride horseback. 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