If you’re wondering what to do this weekend why not visit Holliday Lake State Park located in the heart of Appomattox County.
The park is an oasis of outdoor recreation opportunity and filled with unexpected pleasures. Swimming, boating and fishing are popular in the 150 acre man-make lake. The park offers miles of lakefront hiking trails and 30 campsites. A variety of nature and educational programs are scheduled for the entire weekend. Come on out to Holliday Lake State Park where a relaxing weekend in the great outdoors awaits your arrival.
Friday, June 26
10:00 am: Leaf Imprint
Join the Conservation intern for some “Natural” art projects. We will use leaves from native trees to make impressions on paper while learning about the trees at Holliday Lake. After, we will explore the park in search of trees that we have identified.
1:00 pm: Holliday Lake Canoe Tour
Come explore Holliday Lake! We will learn some of the basics about the structure of the canoe and different paddling techniques. Then we will explore some different areas of the lake, discussing different creatures that we might see. Cost is $6.00 per person and advance registration is required.
4:00 pm: Spiders & Snakes
We’ll use pictures and descriptions of common “creepy, crawly” snakes and spiders to learn about these creatures. Then we’ll look for the haunts of these elusive critters in the park to see if any are at their homes.
7:00 pm: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park Living History Program
Find out what was going on June 26, 1865 by talking with a Civil War soldier. Robert M. Fields, of Allenport, Pennsylvania, served in the 85th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War. Fields served through the Petersburg Campaign and the pursuit of Lee’s Army. Fields was present for the surrender and the stacking of arms.
8:00 pm: Welcome Campfire
Come to the Campfire Circle beside the campground for some interesting tales about the “olden days” in our area before there was a State Park or a Holliday Lake. Some of the youngest children may not want to hear the stories—they can be pretty scary in the dark. After the campfire burns low we’ll toast some marshmallows.
Saturday, June 27
10:00 am: Fishing At Holliday Lake
Did you know there are over eight species of fish commonly caught around Holliday Lake? Enjoy leisurely fishing with instruction on techniques and explanations of fish being caught. Bring your own fishing pole or borrow one of the parks. Participants over age 16 must have a valid Virginia fishing license.
1:00 pm: Geo-Caching
Maps are not the only way to travel in the woods anymore! Come on a “Treasure Hunt” through the park where we’ll use GPS (Global Positioning System) navigators to find hidden treasure. We will go to different landmarks here in the park where special boxes (geo-caches) have been hidden. Geo-caches like these are hidden all over the world. Space is limited. We provide the GPS equipment for use during the program.
7:00 pm: Canoe Owl Tour
Discover Holliday Lake after the sun goes down. We’ll paddle around the shores of the lake in our canoes until it gets dark enough for the “Warriors of the Night” – the owls – to come out for their night time hunting. Then we’ll call the owls and see if we can lure them to fly over our canoes. Cost is $6.00 per person and advance registration is required.
Sunday, June 28
10:00 am: A Touch of Nature At Holliday Lake
Short on time but still want to learn about Holliday Lake State Park? Join the Conservation Intern for five minutes or more with a variety of animal furs, bones, and artifacts from the area. This hands-on activity will get you in TOUCH with your wild side.
1:00 pm: The Living Tree
Do you know what trees grow around the park? Come learn about the different trees in the area, how they develop, and what makes them grow. We will get creative and do activities to better understand how these trees develop and also how other inhabitants use them to improve their existence in the forest.
3:00 pm: Predators & Prey
Many animals make their living by eating other animals. Nature has made sure there is a balance in this killing of one animal by another that goes far beyond merely providing a meal for the quickest or strongest. We’ll examine the bones, teeth and pelts of some of these predators and prey.
5:00 pm: Butterfly Garden
Do you know that some butterflies that weigh less than one ounce migrate thousands of miles in their lifetime, or that some butterflies are vicious killers? We’ll see what types of plants in our garden lure butterflies and see the variety of butterflies that live there.
Monday, June 29
1:00 pm: Nature Hike Come explore some of the park’s trails with the Conservation Intern. Learn about the diverse wildlife that makes its home at Holliday Lake State Park, as well as the historical and cultural importance of the land. Bring a good pair of shoes.
4:00 pm: Outdoor Cooking Learn new and interesting ways to feed your family while camping or in your own backyard. We’ll learn different methods of outdoor cooking and make some tasty treats. The cost is $2.00 per person. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Sign up by calling the park office at 434-248-6308.
For any additional information or to sign up for a canoe tour please call the park office at (434) 248-6308. Make a reservation for the night or weekend on line or by calling our reservation and information line at 800-933-7275, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.