There’s something timeless about the soft ripple of a lake that stirs memories of carefree summer days. While the rush of a river or the crash of ocean waves offer undeniable exhilaration, the stillness of a lake invites something different: space to reflect and truly slow down. This summer, discover four Virginia lakes that not only promise a refreshing escape but also reignite your love for the state’s serene and stunning natural landscapes.
Also, let’s be honest; existing on lake time is blissful, but eventually, the urge to venture beyond the shoreline sets in. Alongside each destination, you’ll find handpicked suggestions for charming places to stay, nearby attractions worth exploring, and standout spots to savor a well-earned bite or sip.
Soak up small town charm at Buggs Island Lake/John H. Kerr Reservoir, Clarksville
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The largest lake in Virginia, John H. Kerr Reservoir (known locally as Buggs Island Lake) spans over 50,000 acres with 800 miles of shoreline. Located in Clarksville, Virginia’s only lakeside town, the waterway is a summer favorite for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. While many opt to BYOB (bring your own boat), pontoon and fishing boat rentals are also available.
Occoneechee State Park, named for the Native American tribe that once lived here, offers 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park includes a visitor center and museum, equestrian campground, splash park, amphitheater, boat ramps, picnic areas, and lodging options from campsites to cabins and yurts.
Each July, Clarksville hosts the Virginia Lake Festival, drawing nearly 50,000 visitors for hot air balloon rides, fireworks, and streets filled with food and craft vendors.
Beyond the Shore
Clarksville’s main street, Virginia Avenue, is dotted with antique stores and local favorites like Hite’s Clothing, known for lake-friendly fashion, and The Corner at Two One Six, a curated spot for art, gifts, gourmet treats, and wine. Stroll over to Buggs Island Brewing to enjoy a Kerr Lake Kolsch while gazing upon the beer’s namesake waterway, or venture just outside town to Woodbine Vineyards in Buffalo Junction for a glass of chardonel in a peaceful farm winery setting.
A Local Taste
Cooper’s Landing Inn offers a magical setting on their outdoor patio where a canopy of wisteria and twinkle lights create a secret garden feel. The menu features seasonal dishes and an extensive wine list. New to Clarksville, Lake Country Cigar and Wine serves curated boards and creative small plates such as Southern style egg rolls stuffed with collards and country ham.
Rest Your Oars
The Sunnyside Sisters Bed & Breakfast, set in an 1833 home, offers five charming guest rooms and a Dutch-inspired breakfast featuring fresh-baked bread, local honey, free-range eggs, and Dutch pancakes. Less than a mile away, Cooper’s Landing Inn offers six rooms in its 1830s inn plus six private cottages. Splash around in the pool, soak in the hot tub, and enjoy a delicious, two-course breakfast included with your stay.
Revel in coastal indulgence at Stumpy Lake Natural Area, Virginia Beach
When most people think of Virginia Beach, they picture the Atlantic Ocean or Chesapeake Bay, but inland, the 278-acre Stumpy Lake offers a quieter escape. Named for the bald cypress trees that grow in and around it, the lake is ideal for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching. An ADA-accessible launch makes it easy for paddlers of all abilities to explore the cypress groves. “Depending on the time of year, you may spot basking turtles or snakes, osprey, bald eagles, pileated woodpeckers, blue heron, or even a ‘squadron’ of cormorants resting in the bald cypress,” says Ian Everett of the city’s Parks & Recreation department.
Stumpy Lake also features Stumpy Lake Golf Course, a fishing pier, and soft trails through the wooded areas. Everett notes that paths can get boggy and buggy after a rain, so make sure you’ve got the proper gear for a walk through the woods.
Beyond the Shore
Virginia Beach is packed with excursions, but a few local gems stand out. Head to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art for Duke Riley: O’er the Wide and Plastic Sea (on view through August) featuring intricate art created with trash collected from beaches and oceans. Partake in the local bounty during a Pleasure House Oyster Tour or a Virginia Aquarium Craft Brews Cruise. For retail therapy, browse stylish staples at Beecroft & Bull or Monkee’s.
A Local Taste
Love Song
Love Song will have you swooning with their playful small plates made for sharing (or not). For an elevated dining experience, try Terrapin Restaurant’s four-course tasting menu or curate your own meal with options like Laughing King oysters, housemade burrata, and Josper-roasted lamb loin.
Terrapin Restaurant
Rest Your Oars
Cavalier Hotel
A standout stay in Virginia Beach, The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club offers a range of elevated experiences. Enjoy a meal at Becca Restaurant & Garden, sample craft spirits at Tarnished Truth Distilling Company, unwind at SeaHill Spa, or lounge by the striking infinity pool at the Cavalier Beach Club. Their summer calendar is full of charm, with events like lawn symphonies, movie nights, garden soirées, and lively beach parties.
Seek serenity at Sherando Lake, Lyndhurst
Sherando Lake may be modest in size at just 25 acres, but it’s rich in natural beauty. Referred to as the "jewel of the Blue Ridge," this lake is nestled near the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The sandy beach offers a stunning view with mountain ranges rising just beyond the lake. A designated swim area provides a safe place to cool off, while a small island at the lake’s center calls to swimmers and paddlers seeking a shady retreat. The Lakeside Trail loops around the water’s edge, offering a scenic hike surrounded by mountain laurel (although hikers should look out for poison oak). Kayaks and paddleboards are welcome, and fishing is popular here, too. Note that cell service gets dicey around Shernado, so consider downloading directions to your next destination in advance.
Beyond the Shore
With the Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail just around the corner, it would be a shame not to stop by a local winery, cidery, or brewery. For outdoor exploration, head west. Within an hour, you’ll reach Crabtree Falls, a stunning waterfall with five major cascades, reachable from a scenic 3-mile loop trail. Just a little farther down the road you’ll find Appalachian Horse Adventures offering guided horseback rides through the beautiful countryside of Montebello.
A Local Taste
Many Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail makers offer food alongside their pours, with a few standout restaurants along the route. Since 1997, Basic Necessities has served seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, paired with French wines and cheeses. Devils Grill, exclusive to Wintergreen guests and members, features elevated, locally sourced fare with stellar views.
Rest Your Oars
The Indigo House
If camping’s not your jam, you’ll find inviting accommodations nearby. Just 10 miles from Sherando, Wintergreen Resort offers everything from cozy inn rooms to spacious homes with phenomenal mountain views. For a more intimate experience, consider local B&Bs like Basecamp 151, a boutique motel-meets-cottage, or The Indigo House, blending modern design with relaxed luxury. Afton Mountain Inn, set in an 1848 farmhouse on 10 scenic acres, features firepits, nature trails, a pool, and more for a charming, all-in-one retreat.
Embrace a shoreline state of mind at Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania counties
EmptyCaption 7/30/2023: A view from a home on Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston. The Bedford County Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning of 8 acres and a special use permit for Smith Mountain Manor to operate an event venue at 4062 Tolers Ferry Road in Huddleston near the lake. The (Lynchburg) News & Advance, file 2021 A view from a home on Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston. The Bedford County Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning of 8 acres and a special use permit for Smith Mountain Manor to operate an event venue at 4062 Tolers Ferry Road in Huddleston near the lake. The (Lynchburg) News & Advance, file 2021
Situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake spans 20,000 acres. It’s a favorite spot for anglers chasing largemouth and striped bass with catfish, crappie, and yellow perch also biting. The lake buzzes with high-adrenaline watersports like jet skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and tubing. For something slower-paced, float in calm coves at Smith Mountain Lake State Park or Smith Mountain Lake Community Park. “With over 500 miles of shoreline, it offers a stunning blend of water and mountain scenery that’s hard to match anywhere else in Virginia,” says Catherine Daniel, a broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate.
Boaters pass navigation marker BU1 on Smith Mountain Lake Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Union Hall. 12/28/2022: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Sgt. James Slaughter describes an early morning training exercise on Smith Mountain Lake based at The Pointe at Mariners Landing Monday, May 16, 2022, in Huddleston. SCOTT P. YATES, The Roanoke Times Randy Lowman Submitted image Randy Lowman Submitted image Boaters pass a navigation marker on Smith Mountain Lake this fall. The lake level and temperature are followed by many. SCOTT P. YATES, The Roanoke Times Boaters pass a navigation marker on Smith Mountain Lake this fall. The lake level and temperature are followed by many. SCOTT P. YATES, The Roanoke Times
Beyond the Shore
Once made up of farmland and fields, the area around Smith Mountain Lake still carries a rural charm. Don’t be surprised if you spot an alpaca or two near the outskirts.
Several golf courses in the area bring together neighbors and visitors alike for social events, tournaments, and casual rounds of friendly competition. Shops, restaurants, and attractions are scattered across several shopping hubs. Bridgewater Plaza, home to the Visitors Center and Smith Mountain Lake Coffee House, is a popular starting point. Westlake offers everything from home and garden stores to gift shops and sporting goods. For antiques, handmade items, and local farm goods, head to nearby Bedford.
A Local Taste
Drifter's at sunset
Recently reimagined, Tiff’s is a laid-back lakefront spot accessible by both car and boat. The menu features shareable appetizers, sandwiches, pastas, steaks, and seafood. Nearby, Drifter’s is known for its lively waterfront vibe and crowd-pleasing menu.
Rest Your Oars
The most popular option is to book a rental property at the lake. “Many folks start with a vacation home and end up making it their permanent residence,” Daniel says. “I’ve had clients who came down for a summer weekend, caught a few fish from the dock at their rental home, and decided they just couldn’t leave. It’s the slower pace, the friendly faces, and the natural beauty that draws people in.”
