Park Stats
Location: Appomattox, Virginia
Park established: 1972
Park size: 560 acres
Fun facts:
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6 hiking trails
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6.7 mile loop around the lake
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1 aquatic trail
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150-acre lake
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Home to activities like swimming, hiking, boating, fishing,
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Near Appomattox Courthhouse National Historical Park – General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant in 1865.
Holliday Lake State Park is located in central Virginia. A quick trick from Richmond and a quick trip from Charlottesville.
I’ve been to Holliday Lake at different times of the year. You can find something enjoyable no matter the season.
The Beach
If you drive to the back of the park you are greeted with a lovely beach. It is an inviting place to relax and play. Pull out a towel and rest on the beach with a good book. Take a refreshing plunge in the water. Or rent a kayak, paddleboard, canoe or more to take your adventure game to a new level.
The beach area also has a concession stand to get snacks and drinks.
Shelters
Holliday Lake has several shelters that you can rent for entertaining. Both shelters are close to the beach so you can still take advantage of all of the water activities. They are also located by a main hiking trail.
Trails
You can choose from hiking, aquatic, bike, or equestrian trails. Check out the trail section of the website to learn how to find the trails for your specific interest.
I spent time on the hiking trails (trail map). They are fairly simple trails for all levels. My parents, their puppy, and my 4-year-old dog all had a great time exploring. A lot of the trails are interconnected so it’s easy to customize your experience based on distance and what you are looking to see. I mixed them up because I wanted to spend time near the water, check out a ranger program that was happening in another area, and walk through the campgrounds. The park is an incredibly manageable size to spend a few hours or the entire day.
Campgrounds
You will find 2 campgrounds at Holliday Lake. They are intimate and welcoming, both with shower facilities. You may need to carry your trash to a dumpster located near the exit, but that’s fairly close by. When I was there it was really quiet for a Sunday morning.
Basics
Location: Appomattox, Virginia
Parking: Available at all of the key areas of the park – beach & shelters and campgrounds
Bathrooms: Available in the campgrounds and at the beach.
What to wear: If you are hitting the beach, make sure to have shoes as you are walking in the parking lot, but beach clothes is otherwise great. If you are walking the trails, wear supportive shoes as you may come across muddy spots or tree roots.
What to pack: Make sure you have your water bottle. If you are going for a hike, I’d also put on some bug spray before hitting the trails. Sunscreen is also a good job in this park.
Pet regulations: Pets are allowed, and Tootsie loved the hiking trail. Check the website for any updates on where pets are permitted throughout the park.
