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Got water?

Home » Virginia Outdoor Activities » General Interest » Got water?

Everything runs on water, from cities, power plants to farms and even our bodies. We know that water it an integral part of our daily life. It is also a big part of our vacations and Virginia State Parks has it in aces!

Swimming beach at Claytor Lake State Park Virginia

If you want to know which click here to view our searchable database.

SWIMMING

When the heat is on, it's time to get wet. Whether you like a pool, lake, river or bay, Virginia State Parks are great places to cool off while enjoying nature's finest settings. Many swimming facilities also have snack bars and other amenities to make your dip even more agreeable. Even better, swimming is nearly always free for overnight guests. So pack up the kids, sunscreen, shades, beach towels and sun hat and head to a Virginia State Park.

For a list of parks offering swimming click here.

BYOB (Bring your own boat)

Virginia has many waterways, and where there's water, there are boats. Regardless of watercraft – a one-man kayak, a 16-foot canoe or a brawny powerboat – boaters find plenty to enjoy at Virginia State Parks. Twenty-four parks offer boating access, several have full-service marinas, 23 have ramps (car-top, slide, standard concrete) and 18 parks rent boats. Parks offer access to the most popular waterways in the state, including Buggs Island Lake, Claytor Lake, the Chesapeake Bay, the James River, Lake Anna, the Potomac River, the Rappahannock River, Smith Mountain Lake and the York River. Thirty parks offer fishing from the shore; six offer pier fishing. Click here for information about boat rentals.

If you're looking for a solitary float or an exhilarating ride, state parks are the place for you. Click herefor the parks that offer boating access.

BOAT RENTALS

Most Virginia State Parks offer boat rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, Jon boats, various motorized boats or some mix of them all. The list below is sorted by region and the parks therein. Boat rental fees vary by park so contact the park for more details.

For a list of parks offering boat rentals click here.

PADDLING PROGRAMS

If you would like to participate in a ranger or interpreter led paddling program at one of your favorite Virginia State Parks, the park itself to get more information on any water event.

FISHING

Virginia is blessed with a wide variety of great fishing, from native trout in the western mountains to monster striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay. And our state parks give you access to the best the commonwealth has to offer.

Virginia State Parks.

Fishing at sunrise at Claytor Lake State Park Virginia

Father Daughter fun at Claytor Lake State Park

Check out this handy grid at a glance:

Park water type boat rental* launch
Mountain parks
Claytor Lake lake row, motor, pontoon marina, launch
Douthat lake, stream row, canoe, kayak car top
Fairystone lake row, canoe, kayak car top
Grayson Highlands stream na na
Hungry Mother lake row, canoe, kayak car top
Natural Tunnel stream na na
New River Trail river canoe, kayak, raft, float trips launch
Pinnacle (preserve) river na na
Shenandoah river na car top
Piedmont parks
Bear Creek Lake lake row, elec., canoe, kayak car top
Holliday Lake lake row, elec., canoe, kayak car top, launch
Lake Anna lake (motor boats permitted) launch
Occoneechee lake pontoon, runabout (motor boats permitted) launch
Pocahontas lake canoe car top
Powhatan river na car top
Sky Meadows pond na na
Smith Mountain Lake lake (motor boats permitted) launch
Staunton River lake (motor boats permitted) launch
Twin Lakes lake canoe car top, launch
Coastal
Belle Isle salt, fresh (river) fishing, canoe, kayak na
Chippokes Plantation salt, fresh (river) na na
False Cape salt, fresh (ocean, bay) na na
First Landing salt (bay) (motor boats permitted) launch
Kiptopeke salt (bay) kayak (motor boats permitted) launch
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