Virginia has some seriously amazing lakes that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.
We’re talking massive lakes with hundreds of miles of shoreline, crystal-clear waters perfect for kayaking, sandy swimming beaches, and peaceful spots where you can fish with mountain views all around you.
And here’s the fun part: some of these lakes have surprising stories, unusual features, and hidden spots you probably never knew existed.
Whether you’re planning a summer getaway, a weekend camping trip, or just looking for somewhere new to explore, these 8 best lakes in Virginia have something special waiting for you.
1. Lake Anna
Lake Anna is one of Virginia’s largest freshwater lakes, stretching across 13,000 acres with over 200 miles of shoreline in Louisa, Spotsylvania, and Orange counties.
Created in the early 1970s to provide cooling water for the North Anna Nuclear Power Station, this massive man-made lake is famous for its boating, jet skiing, fishing, and warm summer waters.
Head to Lake Anna State Park, where you can swim at a sandy beach, explore more than 15 miles of trails, rent a kayak, or try fishing for largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie.
For something different, visit the park’s historic Goodwin Gold Mine site, explore the lake’s quieter coves by paddleboard, or grab a waterfront meal at Tim’s at Lake Anna.
2. Douthat Lake
If you prefer a smaller lake surrounded by mountains, Douthat Lake is a 50-acre beauty located inside Douthat State Park in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, about 40 minutes from Lexington.
Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this peaceful lake is famous for its excellent trout fishing, with rainbow, brown, and brook trout stocked in its waters during the fishing season.
You can spend your day swimming at the sandy beach, renting a canoe or paddleboat, or exploring more than 40 miles of hiking trails, including the 3.2-mile Blue Suck Falls Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall.
For an extra adventure, hike up to Tuscarora Overlook for sweeping mountain views, or book one of the park’s historic cabins for a cozy overnight stay near the water.
3. Lake Moomaw
For an even bigger mountain escape, Lake Moomaw stretches across 2,530 acres in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, near the town of Hot Springs and the West Virginia border, with forest-covered hills surrounding its 43 miles of shoreline.
Created by the Gathright Dam on the Jackson River in the early 1980s, this 150-foot-deep reservoir is known for its deep, cool waters and excellent fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass.
You can launch a kayak from the Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, cruise across the lake by boat, or take an afternoon dip at Bolar Mountain Beach during the swimming season.
Want to stay longer?
Camp at Bolar Mountain Campground, explore the nearby George Washington National Forest, or visit the 257-foot-tall Gathright Dam for an impressive look at the massive structure that created this beautiful lake.
4. Claytor Lake
If you’re ready to trade quiet mountain coves for some action on the water, Claytor Lake covers roughly 4,500 acres along the New River near Dublin and Pulaski in southwestern Virginia, with approximately 100 miles of shoreline to explore.
Created in 1939 when Appalachian Power built Claytor Dam, this 21-mile-long reservoir is a favorite for waterskiing, wakeboarding, pontoon boating, and fishing for striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish.
At Claytor Lake State Park, you can enjoy seasonal swimming at the park’s sandy beach, rent a kayak or paddleboard, and explore the park’s wooded trails overlooking the water.
Don’t miss the historic Howe House, a beautifully preserved 19th-century farmhouse that now serves as the park’s visitor center.
You can also book a waterfront cabin and enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery after a fun-filled day.
5. Philpott Lake
While Claytor Lake is great for watersports, Philpott Lake offers a quieter adventure, with 2,880 acres of clear blue water and 100 miles of wooded shoreline in Virginia’s Blue Ridge foothills, near Martinsville and Rocky Mount.
Opened to the public in 1953 when the 220-foot-tall Philpott Dam was built across the Smith River, this beautiful reservoir is famous for its excellent fishing, especially for walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie.
You can rent a kayak, paddle around the lake’s many hidden coves, or visit the Philpott Lake Visitor Center for incredible views of the dam and surrounding mountains.
For something extra special, paddle to Deer Island for a primitive camping adventure, or tackle the moderately strenuous 4.5-mile Dogwood Glen Trail near the dam for a scenic hike through the forest.
6. Smith Mountain Lake
If Philpott Lake feels a little too quiet for your taste, Smith Mountain Lake turns up the excitement with 20,600 acres of water, 500 miles of shoreline, and gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain views.
Nicknamed the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” this massive reservoir was created in the 1960s by damming the Roanoke and Blackwater rivers and is famous for its striped bass fishing, speedboating, wakeboarding, and waterfront restaurants.
At Smith Mountain Lake State Park, you can swim at the 500-foot sandy beach, rent a kayak, or explore the park’s 13 hiking trails winding through the woods.
For extra fun, take a sightseeing cruise aboard the Virginia Dare, grab a lakeside meal at Mango’s Bar & Grill, or watch boats pass by at Bridgewater Plaza.
7. Kerr Lake (Buggs Island Lake)
If you thought Smith Mountain Lake was huge, wait until you see Kerr Lake, also called Buggs Island Lake.
It’s a massive 50,000-acre reservoir stretching across the Virginia-North Carolina border near Clarksville, and it has about 900 miles of shoreline to explore.
Created in 1952 when the John H. Kerr Dam was completed on the Roanoke River, this enormous lake is famous for its excellent striped bass, blue catfish, and crappie fishing, plus wide-open waters that are perfect for boating.
Head to Occoneechee State Park near Clarksville, where you can explore wooded hiking trails or stay overnight in a waterfront cabin.
For something extra fun, visit nearby Clarksville during its annual Lakefest celebration in July, featuring live music, arts and crafts, and fireworks over the water.
8. Lake Drummond
To wrap up this list with something completely different, Lake Drummond is a mysterious 3,142-acre natural lake hidden deep inside the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Virginia, near the North Carolina border.
Unlike Virginia’s massive man-made reservoirs, this shallow lake is only about 6 feet deep, with dark, tea-colored water stained by natural tannins from the surrounding swamp’s plants and trees.
You can reach the lake by following the 6-mile Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive from the Railroad Ditch trailhead.
Once there, paddle a kayak or canoe across its calm waters and watch for bald eagles and great blue herons.
Here’s a fun fact: Lake Drummond is one of only two natural lakes in Virginia, and its unusual location in the middle of a swamp makes it one of the state’s most fascinating places to explore.
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