Whether lively with houseboats and dockside dining or tucked deep into mountain hollows where nature is the only soundtrack, Virginia’s lakes and reservoirs create unique cultures and experiences—places best understood by visiting. Each is its own story of water, wilderness, and the people drawn to the shores.
There are many lake-like bodies of water in the Commonwealth, but according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, there are only two natural lakes in the state: Lake Drummond in the center of the Great Dismal Swamp—30 miles southwest of Norfolk—and Mountain Lake in Giles County near the border with West Virginia. Other lakes simply borrow the term.
The coast of the Commonwealth may get all the love, but these various interior waterways throughout the state now double as fantastic destinations, offering a wide range of wildlife and activities. From casting a line, paddling through quiet coves, or simply soaking in the scenery, Virginia’s lakes and rivers offer an adventure worth exploring. Read on for a sampling of our favorite ways to dive in.
Lake Life Legend:
🛥️ Boat docks and ramps are available.
🛶 Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, etc. are available to rent.
🐟 Fishing is available—only with a license.
🥾 Hiking trails are available on-site or close by.
🏨 Hotels/resorts are available nearby.
⛺ Camping grounds are available either on-site or nearby.
Lake Life in Northern Virginia
Here, there’s something for everyone, from peaceful paddling and trophy fishing to vibrant waterfront communities blurring the lines between nature and neighborhood—all with easy access.
Lake Anne, Reston
Wade into the heart of Reston, Virginia’s first planned community, and you’ll find 300-acre Lake Anne. Few lakes blend history, architecture, and everyday charm quite like this one. Events like the farmers market (reputed to be one of the best in NoVa) happen right along the shore along with lots of enticing shops and cafés.
🛶 🐟 🥾 Adventure Awaits: The Lake Anne Boat Dock rents kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats by the hour on a first-come, first-served basis. Fishing enthusiasts pull sunfish and crappie from its calm waters, while walkers and cyclists can take their time along the scenic shoreline.
🏨 Where to Stay? Within the suburban NoVa megalopolis, there are hundreds of hotels—from budget-friendly to the posh Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner.
Don’t Miss
1. Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta, Aug. 9. (Yes, it’s as much of an oxymoron as it sounds.)
2. Walking the 2.1-mile trail loop around Lake Anne—best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon.
3. Enjoying the Van Gogh Bridge by water or on foot or both. Inspired by the Dutch artist’s painting of “Pont de Langlois” in Arles, France, it is among the many public art installations around Lake Anne.
4. Reston’s unique 1960s modern architecture and quiet, community-oriented, hidden-gem feel.
Why add it to your bucket list? Few lakes blend history, architecture, and everyday charm quite like this one. It’s a place where community feels intentional.
More Northern Virginia Lakes Worth Exploring
- Lake Mooney – Fed by the Rappahannock River, this 520-acre reservoir in Stafford County is a local favorite.
- Lake Manassas – A picturesque city-owned lake in Prince William County, framed by golf courses.
- Occoquan Reservoir – Renowned statewide for holding Virginia’s highest concentration of trophy bass.
- Lake Mercer – A tranquil Fairfax County gem encircled by a shaded, mostly paved walking trail.
Lake Life in the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley lakes range from community backdrops to naturalists’ dream destinations with sandy beaches, plentiful fishing, and spots to drop the RV. It’s easy to settle in for more than a day.
Lake Moomaw, Allegheny Highland
Nestled between the Monongahela and George Washington National Forests, Lake Moomaw’s pristine water is said to be some of the bluest in the country. Secluded and serene, Lake Moomaw occupies 2,530 acres, 43 miles of undeveloped shoreline, and dives to 152 feet.
🥾⛺ Adventure Awaits: The surrounding national forests allow primitive (or dispersed) camping. They also offer a National Children’s Forest Trail for family adventures.
🏨 Where to Stay? “America’s first resort,” the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa—circa 1766—offers unparalleled luxury just a short drive from Lake Moomaw. Or go quaint at The Vine Cottage in Hot Springs, the Inn at Warm Springs, or the Inn at Gristmill Square in Warm Springs.
Don’t Miss
1. Fishing in a unique “two-story” warm- and cold-water environment, spawning bass, catfish, and trout.
2. Relaxing with sound meditation at the Warm Springs Pools, or simply soaking in its healing waters.
3. The Garth Newel Music Center in Hot Springs for an evening of world-class chamber music and fine dining after a day on the Lake.
4. Munching on homemade donuts at Martha’s Market at The Homestead.
Why add it to your bucket list? Secluded and serene, Lake Moomaw’s 43 miles of undeveloped shoreline offer a relaxing respite from the daily grind—reconnect with nature in a new or once familiar way.
More Shenandoah Valley Lakes Worth Exploring
- Lake Frederick – A 117-acre public fishing lake owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and home to the popular Region’s 117 restaurant.
- Sherando Lake – A 25-acre spring-fed lake for nature lovers deep in the woodlands south of Staunton.
- Lake Arrowhead – White sand beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains frame this lake’s picnic areas.
- Other small lakes – This area claims Lake Laura, Lake Shenandoah, Elkhorn Lake, Douthat Lake, and Cave Mountain Lake.
Lake Life in Southwest Virginia
Appalachian charm, natural wonders, and 20th-century engineering combine to create unique lake lifestyles in Southwest Virginia. Setting and story go hand-in-hand.
Mountain Lake, Pembroke
“Nobody puts Baby in a corner:” Quite possibly one of the most memorable lines in cinematic history. Dirty Dancing, filmed at Mountain Lake Lodge, is where you can stay and you can stand in the exact spot where Patrick Swayze delivered that iconic line. Built around 1936 in Pembroke, the Appalachian retreat is one of the state’s most famous resorts.
A Natural Wonder: Being one of Virginia’s two natural lakes is Mountain Lake’s geological claim to fame, but the lake also displays a strange phenomenon—it empties and refills at unpredictable times. In the film Mystery of the Lake, it’s explained that this style of cyclicity is found nowhere else on the planet. Today, the lake is a fraction of the way through its “full” cycle.
🛶🐟 🥾 Adventure Awaits: Mountain Lake offers a 2,600-acre nature preserve filled with hiking, outdoor adventures, and Dirty Dancing movie nostalgia. Ride on ziplines at Treetops Aerial Adventure Course or take a Gator tour of the property’s backcountry. If the lake’s level is too low to enjoy, the lodge has a pool and nearby access to the New River for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
🏨 Where to Stay? Located inside a 2,600-acre nature preserve, Mountain Lake Lodge offers Dirty Dancing packages and four stay options, including rental homes on Blueberry Ridge Mountain.
Don’t Miss
1. Sitting by your own wood-burning fireplace in a Blueberry Ridge Mountain home, especially after a day outdoors.
2. Hiking to Bald Knob and Cascade Falls.
3. The two-day Mountain Lake Conservancy Reptile Expo., July 18–19.
4. Two covered bridges, both circa 1900 and south of Pembroke: Clover Hollow and Historic Link Farm.
Why add it to your bucket list? Set-jetting is still a hot trend, and film fans can do more than visit a filming location—they can stay in it.
More Southwest Virginia Lakes Worth Exploring
- Philpott Lake – This waterway sprawls 2,900 acres through three counties near Fairy Stone State Park.
- Rural Retreat Lake – The largest of two lakes in Wythe County (the other being Hale Lake) is a year-round spot to catch bass, catfish, and crappie.
- Claytor Lake – Surrounded by a state park, this reservoir winds through Pulaski County’s New River.
- Lake Keokee – Simply a nature lover’s hidden gem in Lee County.
- Cavitt’s Creek Park and Lake – A 54-acre lake drawing campers to Tazewell.
- Wise Lake Reservoir – Walk the trails around this spot a.k.a. Bear Creek Reservoir.
- South Holston Lake – In 1951, the Tennessee Valley Authority created this feature stretching from North Carolina to a point in Virginia just south of Abingdon.
Lake Life in Central Virginia
Central Virginia lakes are for naturalists, anglers, and recreation seekers, especially those looking to turn a visit into a full weekend.
Lake Anna | Louisa, Spotsylvania & Orange counties
Lake Anna feels like a summer camp for grown-ups with lots of ways to play on the water. Stretching across more than 13,000 acres in Central Virginia, making it an easy getaway for residents of Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Washington, D.C. The lake is split into a private “warm side,” which is, in fact, about 15 degrees warmer than the public “cold side,” which makes up most of the lake.
🛥️🛶 Adventure Awaits: The lake is made for paddling and boating, and plenty of rentals are available. It’s a habitat for striped and largemouth bass, beavers, and bald eagles. On the shoreline, herons dodge wily foxes, and keen-eyed nature lovers have even spotted a few mink.
⛺ Where to Stay? Airbnb, VRBO, and other vacation rentals are plentiful around Lake Anna, as well as camping at Christopher Run Campground. Lake Anna State Park offers yurts, cabins, and lodges within walking distance of swimming beaches.
Don’t Miss
1. Bar hopping by boat to places like Lake Anna Taphouse followed by dinner at Tim’s at Lake Anna or the Asian Café.
2. Collecting stamps to earn prizes along the Fredericksburg Area Beer Trail.
3. Bethel’s Brews & Bites in Louisa for coffee, breakfast, or lunch.
4. The genuine copper pot is still used to brew whiskey and moonshine at Belmont Farm Distillery. Wine aficionados: check out Lake Anna Winery or Mattaponi Winery.
Why add it to your bucket list? Lake Anna literally has something for everyone, and it all centers around having a great time.
More Central Virginia Lakes Worth Exploring
- Smith Mountain Lake – Virginia’s most famous and largest freshwater lake is known for its good times and leisure activities on the water—from jet-skis to the Virginia Dare, a replica paddlewheel tour boat.
- Lake Chesdin – Largemouth bass lure anglers to this south-central Virginia lake; patrol its shoreline to spot the luxe homes and boathouses at Chesdin Landing..
- Stonehouse Lake – Surrounded by heavy woodlands, this 41-acre state-managed lake is for fishing only.
Lake Life in Eastern Virginia
In an area known for its coastal attractions, lake life in Eastern Virginia offers unique alternatives and new definitions of water life.
Lake Drummond | Suffolk & Chesapeake
Hidden deep in the shadowy embrace of the Great Dismal Swamp, 3,100-acre Lake Drummond, one of only two natural lakes in Virginia, is shallow, with a maximum depth of only 7 feet. It appears almost mythical, a copper-tinted stillness reflecting bald cypress and tupelo trees shrouded in morning mist.
🛥️🛶🥾 Adventure Awaits: The lake and surrounding swamp (which borders the city of Chesapeake) are home to over 200 species of birds, almost 100 species of butterflies, and a critical habitat for black bears. Certified environmental educators offer guided walking and kayaking tours of the lake and swamp. Bringing a boat? A single ramp for small craft is located on the lake’s western edge, and a network of trails for hiking, biking, or wildlife watching connects to the historic Dismal Swamp Canal.
🏨 Where to Stay? For comfortable stays, check out the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront or Bennett’s Creek Marina’s Cottages, also in Suffolk. Both have stellar views.
Don’t Miss
1. Walking the 9-mile out-and-back Washington Ditch Trail along a former logging canal to the eerie cypress-studded waters of Lake Drummond.
2. Quirky fun at the Planters Peanut Center, a Suffolk gem since 1936.
3. Wildlife, including fish species, like crappie, yellow perch, flier, bullhead catfish, bowfin, and longnose gar; plus, the surrounding area supports black bear, bobcat, otter, and various reptiles and amphibians.
4. Dinner at Harper’s Table in Suffolk, for a refined farm-to-table experience at the hands of acclaimed chef Harper Bradshaw.
Why add it to your bucket list? No other lake offers the unique experience of this Virginia crown jewel.
More Eastern Lakes Worth Exploring
- Lone Star Lakes Park – Eleven lakes in Suffolk make up this conglomerate of freshwater fishing and paddle boat areas.
- Kerr Lake Reservoir/Buggs Island Lake – The lake big enough it needs two names covers an area from Clarksville to Henderson, N.C., and offers 48,900 acres of fishing, boating, and swimming in designated areas.
Do Your Homework
To make the best of your lake life adventure, it’s best to plan ahead.
➤ Reserve early: Summer weekends fill up fast—lock in rentals, hotel stays, and campsites the as soon as you know your dates.
➤ Check Virginia State Parks for alerts or closures like capacity limits and water quality advisories. Facility closures can pop up—they’re all worth a quick check before you leave.
DCR.Virginia.gov/State-Parks
➤ Review pet policies.
➤ Budget for additional fees like parking and required deposits.
➤ Get a Virginia fishing license if you plan to fish. It’s required for all anglers, so before you cast, purchase yours through the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources. DWR.Virginia.Gov/Fishing/Regulations/License
➤ Check the open fire policy wherever you land. If s’mores by the fire pit are on your agenda, check fire ban dates.
➤ Check swimming supervision information.
➤ Confirm watercraft availability—kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, etc.—at a specific location or reserve from a local marina in advance.
➤ Download maps. Cell service is usually fine, but coverage can get spotty in more remote areas.
➤ Pack smart: bug spray, hats, and sunscreen are essential. Plus, pack a jacket—evenings on any body of water can get cool and breezy.
Resources at the Ready
➤ DCR.Virginia.gov/State-Parks
➤ DWR.Virginia.Gov/Fishing/Regulations/Licenses
➤ DWR.Virginia.gov/Fishing/Forecasts-And-Reports
➤ LakesOnline.com/USA/Virginia
➤ Fairfaxcounty.gov/Parks/Small-Lakes
➤ FWS.gov/Refuge/Great-Dismal-Swamp
➤ DWR.Virginia.gov/Waterbody/Lake-Drummond
Featured photo courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corp. This article originally appeared in the August 2026 issue.
