LAKE ANNA STATE PARK
The land in Lake Anna State Park used to be known as "Gold Hill" and contained the Goodwin Gold Mine. Gold was first discovered in 1829 with mining reaching its peak in the 1880s. The last gold to be found was in a zinc mine during the 1940s. In 1971 Lake Anna was created to serve as a water coolant for Virginia Power’s nuclear plant. In 1972 work began on the acquisition and development of a water-oriented state park. Lake Anna State Park opened in 1983.While boating and fishing on this beautiful lake are major attractions, these are only some of the park’s offerings. Lakefront picnic areas and wooded hiking trails are also popular. During the summer, interpretive programs on the nature and history of the area complement exhibits and displays in the visitor center.Lake Anna State Park has more than 13 miles of hiking trails, lakeshore picnicking, a guarded swimming beach, a children’s play area, a boat ramp, a food concession stand, a bathhouse and a children’s and handicapped fishing pond.
The land in Lake Anna State Park used to be known as "Gold Hill" and contained the Goodwin Gold Mine. Gold was first discovered in 1829 with mining reaching its peak in the 1880s. In Virginia, the last gold found was in a zinc mine during the 1940s. In 1971, Lake Anna was created to serve as a water coolant for Virginia Power's nuclear plant. In 1972, work began on the acquisition and development of a water-oriented state park. Lake Anna State Park opened in 1983.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Picnickingyes
Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
A swimming beach, snack bar concession and bathhouse are available to the public during the summer. The beach can accommodate several hundred visitors per day and there are lifeguards on duty. From the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend, the beach is open:
* All weekends and holidays: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
* Weekdays May 31 - June 17, 2005: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
* Weekdays June 20 - August 19, 2005: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
* Weekdays August 22 - Sept. 2, 2005: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
* The snack bar is open daily in 2005 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., except on weekdays from May 31 - June 17 and August 22 - Sept. 2, when it's open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Swimming cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed.
Annual parking passes are available through the Reservation Center or park. Discount swim coupons and annual swimming passes are available at the park only.
Lake Anna State Park is located near Fredericksburg, Locust Grove and Louisa
Picnicking area includes drinking water, grills and restroom facilities. Three picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are reserved by calling the Reservation Center, 1-800-933-PARK. Parking fees are not included in the shelter rental. See above for details.
Lake Anna State Park picnic shelters
Three shelters are available for rent. There are two sizes, large and small. They can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day). Click here for park fees.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
Amenities: Visitors should contact the park if they want to coordinate payment of park admissions and/or beach admissions for their overall group. Use of a caterer to prepare the meal requires a special use permit. The park is open daily 8 a.m. to dusk. The swimming beach is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on holidays.
Shelter #1 (small): The shelter is a 40' x 20' framed tent so there are no poles in the center and the sides are open. No cement floor. The vinyl top has large green and white stripes. There are eight picnic tables and three pedestal grills (charcoal). The shelter can seat 50 people at one time; a group of more than 50 but fewer than 100can use the site, however people will need to bring lawn chairs. Erecting additional tents is not permitted. Bringing additional tables and grills is discouraged. Parking space is not a problem. The shelter is at the far corner of the visitor center parking area approximately 200 yards from the beach and restrooms. No electrical outlets or water hydrants. There is not a good view of the lake, however the shelter offers more privacy and a woodland view.
Shelter #2 (small): The shelter is a 40' x 20' framed tent so there are no poles in the center and the sides are open. No cement floor. The vinyl top has large green and white stripes. There are eight picnic tables and two pedestal grills (charcoal). The shelter can seat 50 people at one time; a group of more than 50 but fewer than 100 can use the site, however people will need to bring lawn chairs. Erecting additional tents is not permitted. Bringing additional tables and grills is discouraged. Parking space is adequate but on busy weekends it may be necessary to offload supplies and park in the beach area parking lot, which is approximately 200 yards away. The shelter is near the shoreline with a view of the lake between the boat ramp and swimming beach. The shelter is within Picnic Area A, and the general public uses the picnic tables and grills around this area. Restrooms are approximately 100 yards away. No electric outlets or water hydrants.
Shelter #3 (large): The shelter is a 25' x 35' wooden frame structure with a cement floor. There are four large picnic tables equivalent to eight regular size tables and two pedestal grills (charcoal). Two tables are wheelchair accessible, and there is a cement walkway leading to the shelter. The shelter can seat 50 people at one time; a group of more than 50 but fewer than 75 can use the site, however people will need to bring lawn chairs. Erecting additional tents is not permitted. Bringing additional tables and grills is discouraged. Parking space is limited. Groups with more than 25 vehicles are not recommended during the summer season, Memorial Day-Labor Day. The shelter is within Picnic Area B with restrooms and a small playground approximately 50 yards away. No electric outlets or water hydrants. The shelter is not within walking distance of the swimming beach. Reaching the beach is best accomplished by having group members car-pool about ? mile. Boats can be launched at the park boat ramp and driven a short distance to this area and anchored around the shoreline near the shelter. The shelter has a good view of the lake.
The park has 11 trails totaling more than 13 miles. All are for hiking with 10 miles designated as shared, multiple-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. All trails also allow travel in both directions. They pass over moderate terrain through mixed hardwood and pine forest. All trails except Big Woods, Pigeon Run and Gold Hill trails are rated "easy," those three are rated more difficult.
The park lies adjacent to Route 601 off Route 208, 25 miles southwest of Fredericksburg and 60 miles northwest of Richmond.
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