The Best Lakes in Virginia

The Best Lakes in Virginia

best lakes in virginia

Whether you are a resident of Virginia, or just visiting, there are a number of lakes in the state that you’ll want to check out. These are just a few of the most popular lakes, but there are a number more to choose from, so make sure to check them out before you head out for your next vacation.

Smith Mountain Lake

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is a great vacation destination. With its scenic shoreline, Smith Mountain Lake is a popular location for fishing and boating.

Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre impoundment that is located near the city of Roanoke. It is owned by the American Electric Power Company.

There are two parks on Smith Mountain Lake. One is Smith Mountain State Park in Bedford County. This park offers hiking trails and campsites. The park also has a public beach and a fishing pier.

The other park is Smith Mountain Lake Community Park in Franklin County. This park has a public beach, hiking trails, a playground, shopping, and restaurants. This park is a popular destination for families and tourists.

Smith Mountain Lake is also home to two public golf courses. The Mariners Landing course was designed by Robert Trent Jones.

Smith Mountain Lake is home to a number of fish species. The lake is stocked with black bass, largemouth bass, perch, muskellunge, and striped bass. In addition, it is also known for its musky fingerlings. There are also several private marinas that offer public access.

Smith Mountain Lake has been featured in several movies and television shows, including Lake Effects, What About Bob, and The Outer Limits. It is also home to the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour, which raises money for eight local charities.

Aside from its recreational activities, Smith Mountain Lake is also home to hundreds of volunteers who help welcome thousands of visitors to the area. Residents are friendly and helpful. They are also very generous with their time.

Smith Mountain Lake also offers a variety of housing options, including homes, apartments, condominiums, and cabins. Homes range from single-bedroom cottages to six-bedroom faux-Colonial houses.

Claytor Lake

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Claytor Lake offers plenty of recreation activities for visitors. It has a full marina, boat rentals, and campsites. The lake also offers hiking trails.

The lake is a great place for fishing and kayaking. You can rent a boat at the marina, or rent a kayak from a local outfitter. The marina also sells fishing gear. There are also several boat racing events held at the lake.

Claytor Lake VA is a popular destination for weekend getaways. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, and is within easy reach of Roanoke, VA.

Among the many recreational activities that are available on Claytor Lake are kayaking, sailing, rowing, and scuba diving. There are also several live music venues. There are also three miles of hiking trails.

Claytor Lake is also home to the Claytor Lake State Park. The park features cabins, campsites, and a nature exhibit center. The park also includes a swimming beach and a diving tower. There are also nature programs, and a meeting facility.

The lake is also located near many small towns. Hiwassee, VA, Dublin, VA, and Pulaski, VA are all located close to the lake. There are also two marinas at the lake. The marina also sells gas and boating supplies. The marina is also home to a diving tower.

The lake has a beach that offers white sand and picnic shelters. There is also a boat ramp for electric motors. The lake is also a great place for birdwatching. You can easily get lost in the bird’s eye view.

The lake is home to many native American traditions. It is also the location of several folktales.

Jennings Randolph Lake

Located in western Maryland, Jennings Randolph Lake is a recreational hotspot for residents of Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. With nearly four thousand acres of land, Jennings Randolph Lake is surrounded by spectacular countryside and provides a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

While Jennings Randolph Lake is popular for its fishing opportunities, the lake also offers a variety of other recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, and other outdoor pursuits. There are also numerous picnic areas, playgrounds, restrooms, and horseshoe pits at Jennings Randolph. It also features a campground with 80 campsites.

Although the area around Jennings Randolph Lake is very popular for fishing and water sports, it isn’t necessarily the most ideal spot for limit out walleye fishing. There are plenty of smallmouth bass and hybrid stripers to catch in the lake, but it’s not ideal for those who want to try to catch big walleyes.

Jennings Randolph Lake is a great place to fish, but you’ll need a Maryland fishing license. Several types of fish are found in the lake, including yellow bullhead, river chub, white sucker, and spottail shiner. It’s also a great spot for ice fishing.

During the past four years, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released about 13,000 rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout into the lake. Prior stockings of largemouth bass have also proven to be successful. In addition to fishing, you can enjoy boating, hiking, and swimming.

Jennings Randolph is also home to a variety of wildlife. The lake is surrounded by woodlands and forested hills. There are countless birds, such as blue grouse, and a large variety of fish.

South Holston Lake

Located in southwestern Virginia, South Holston Lake is a popular spot for anglers. The lake is part of the Cherokee National Forest and is home to a variety of fish. Aside from the abundance of fish, it is also a popular destination for scuba diving.

The lake has plenty of opportunities for catching fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, and black bass. You can also find plenty of wildlife. Wood ducks, muskrats, green herons, and painted turtles thrive in the swampier parts of the lake.

Several marinas offer boat rentals and launch facilities. The marinas are located on the Tennessee and Virginia sides of the lake. These marinas include the Sportsmans Marina in Abingdon, VA, and the Painter Creek Marina in Bristol, TN.

There are also several campgrounds and campsites at Smith Mountain Lake. Visitors can also rent a kayak or jet ski. These are perfect options for a day trip. The area also features a public pier for fishing. You can also book a guided fishing trip or rent a kayak for a self-guided trip.

Several marinas offer boat rentals, storage facilities, and launch facilities. The Sportsmans Marina features a Broken Ski Grill, an Aqua Park, and kayaks for rent. They also offer private open water classes for beginners. You can also enjoy live music on Saturdays.

South Holston Lake has been preserved to increase tourism. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeast. Whether you’re looking for a day trip, an overnight getaway, or a weekend of fishing, there’s something for everyone at South Holston Lake.

The Virginia Creeper Trail runs 34.3 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop Station. It passes through rolling hills around the lake. You can also spot wildlife along the trail.

Mount Storm Lake

Located in the Allegheny Mountains of northeastern West Virginia, Mount Storm Lake is a 1,200-acre lake that serves as a recreational site for boaters and fishers. It is also popular as a scuba diving location.

The lake is fed by the Stony River. It has a maximum depth of 140 feet. It has an average visibility of 16-20 feet.

Mount Storm Lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. This is a great place for families to spend the day. It also makes a great training ground for new divers. The lake is heated by the power plant, which allows the lake to warm up earlier in the spring and later in the fall.

The water is very clear. The lake is full of channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, and smallmouth bass. It is also an excellent place for trout. It is best to fish in small coves.

The lake is also a great place to fish for walleye. It is an excellent place for fly fishing and bottom fishing. It is also a great place for water skiing. You can find a public boat ramp at the north end of the lake.

The lake is accessible by West Virginia Route 93 and U.S. Route 50. It is located 64 miles from Winchester, Virginia. It is a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer.

The lake’s water vapor is mostly water, but it contains carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and mercury. It is also mixed with heavy metals. The water vapor is visible from the Dolly Sods Wilderness.

Mount Storm Lake is part of the Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) generating station. It is used as a cooling pond. The power plant uses 15,000 tons of coal per day.

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Jake Reed

Jake Reed

Jake Reed is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast based in the Pacific Northwest. He has always been drawn to the beauty and tranquility of lakes, and loves nothing more than spending a lazy afternoon on the water. As a self-proclaimed "lake connoisseur," Jake spends his summers exploring the many lakes of the United States, from the crystal clear waters of the Adirondacks to the deep, dark depths of the Great Lakes. He writes about his adventures for his blog, "Jake's Lakes," sharing his insights on the best spots for swimming, fishing, and simply soaking in the beauty of nature. When he's not on the water, Jake can be found hiking the trails of the surrounding mountains, or relaxing by the fire with a good book. Follow him on his journey to discover the hidden gems of the American lake scene.