Best Lakes in Virginia

Set in Cumberland State Forest, this 40-acre lake hosts swimming, boating & fishing, plus cabins.

24.6(717)

Lake Anna

Fishing, swimming, camping & water sports on a huge reservoir with a public beach.

34.8(590)

Smith Mountain Lake

This 20,600-acre reservoir created in 1963 is a popular place for boating, waterskiing & fishing.

44.6(173)

Claytor Lake

Created for a hydroelectric project, this 4,472-acre reservoir is a popular boating & fishing spot.

54.6(121)

Burke Lake

Wooded park around a dam with boat rentals & fishing spots, plus hiking on a lakeside loop trail.

64.5(120)

Lake Anne

Lake · Reston, Virginia

This tree-lined reservoir in a residential area offers boating, a promenade & waterfront eateries.

74.8(64)

Philpott Lake

Recreation area with forested hiking paths, lakeside camping, boat launches & fishing.

84.6(53)

Swift Creek Reservoir

This 1,700-acre artificial lake surrounded by housing developments offers boating & fishing.

94.8(52)

Sandy River Reservoir

740-acre reservoir, open since 1994, with a kayak launch & fishing opportunities.

104.6(50)

Mountain Lake

High-altitude lake with a lodge on its banks where parts of the movie "Dirty Dancing" were filmed.

4.4(24)

Lake Drummond

Shallow freshwater lake in a protected wetlands/wildlife refuge, offering fishing & boating.

4.7(16)

Lake Braddock

Lake · Burke, Virginia

A 19-acre lake in a residential area featuring a paved walking trail with water views.

Trip packing checklist

Gear for Lakes in Virginia

Useful gear categories for this kind of water trip. These links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options before you go.

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Inflatable Paddleboard

Useful for calm-water exploring without roof-rack logistics.

Day Cooler

Keeps food and drinks together for longer waterfront stays.

Fishing Rod Combo

A starter combo is often enough for casual lake fishing.

UPF Sun Hat

Open shorelines and boats can mean hours of direct sun.