Some are nestled in mountains and surrounded by wooded forest, while others are found not far from city centers, but all of Virginia's lakes provide scenic spots for rest and reflection. What's more, many Virginia lakes offer opportunities for all kinds of recreation in nature, from fishing and boating to swimming and kayaking. Only two of Virginia's lakes are natural. The rest were formed by damming rivers to create reservoirs not only for recreation but also for drinking water, flood control and hydroelectric power. Many of Virginia's lakes are located within state, county or town parks offering facilities – such as picnic tables, boat launches, boat rentals, campsites and cabins – that make it convenient and fun to enjoy the outdoors on your Virginia vacation. Here's a look at some of the top lakes in Virginia.
Smith Mountain Lake
With 500 miles of shoreline in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake is one of Virginia's largest inland bodies of water. Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Bedford County is where you'll find one of the lake's two public beaches; the other is in Smith Mountain Lake Community Park in Franklin County. Anglers appreciate the opportunities to fish for striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and catfish. If you want to wake up close to the lakeshore, consider a cabin rental, tent site or RV site in Smith Mountain State Park, which is about 35 miles southeast of Roanoke. A cozy bed-and-breakfast not too far from the lake is Frazier 102, named for its street address on 102 Frazier Road in Alta Vista.
Hungry Mother Lake
At 108 acres, Hungry Mother Lake isn't a huge body of water, but it's one of the state's popular fishing lakes for its plentiful largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, as well as crappie, carp and sunfish. Channel catfish, walleyes and musky are stocked annually. The lake is located within Hungry Mother State Park in Smyth County, in the western part of the state. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy picnicking, fishing, boating, hiking and swimming at the state park. Cabins, lodges, yurts and campgrounds are available for overnight lodging in the warm-weather months.
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Lakes in Virginia and Hampton
Lakes in Virginia and Hampton
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