One of the nicest vacation spots in Northern Virginia did not exist during the Civil War Era. During the early 1970s, engineers constructed an impressive man-made lake extending over a 20-mile area. It includes numerous coves and peninsulas and a well-maintained public beach along a section of its eastern shore at Lake Anna State Park. This freshwater inland waterway now sparkles with activity, especially during warmer months…
Why does Lake Anna Beach hold such widespread appeal? Its location draws visitors from nearby Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and North Carolina. Located just 72 miles south of the District of Columbia, this scenic vacation haven offers an abundance of fun recreational activities.
The public beach provides a place for everyone to cool off in hot weather by swimming, boating, or engaging in a wide variety of other water activities. Lake Anna Beach offers opportunities for watercraft entertainment, paddle-boating, kayaking, and sailing. Additionally, fishing remains a popular lake activity.
This beach attracts interest because of the presence of so many amenities within the immediate vicinity. In addition to the lakefront, visitors enjoy access to a snack bar, boat ramp launches, docks, and picnic grounds. Lake Anna Park offers miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. Reportedly, it sits close to a former gold mine, a location now available for tours and gold panning parties.
If you want to visit the lovely beach and commute from a rental house or hotel, local communities around Lake Anna provide numerous comfortable places to stay. The waterway spans three counties: Louisa, Spotsylvania, and Orange. Fine restaurants, antique stores, vineyards, and golf courses populate the scenic countryside surrounding the lake. You’ll even find some theme parks and historic sites within easy driving distance.
For example, a vacation to the beach at Lake Anna might easily include a side trip to tour President James Madison’s historic Virginia estate near the northern end of the lake. To the south, you could see Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown home. A summer concert series draws many visitors to Lake Anna, also.
If you seek a beautiful site for leisure activities, the beach at Lake Anna offers many opportunities for fun and relaxation. It’s a popular location! You might also like Lake Norman, Norris Lake, or Deep Creek Lake.