Holliday Lake State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Holliday Lake State Park is a beautiful natural area located in Appomattox County, Virginia.


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Summary

The park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, making it a great destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

One of the main reasons to visit Holliday Lake State Park is to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The park features a 150-acre lake, surrounded by lush forest and rolling hills. Visitors can go hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and swimming in the lake. The park also has several picnic areas and campgrounds for visitors who want to spend the night.

Some specific points of interest to see in Holliday Lake State Park include the Discovery Center, where visitors can learn about the natural history of the area, and the park's many hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and bald eagles.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the lake was created in the 1930s as part of a Works Progress Administration project. The park is also located near the site of the historic Appomattox Court House, where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.

The best time of year to visit Holliday Lake State Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities depending on the season. For example, visitors can go ice fishing and ice skating on the lake during the winter months.

In conclusion, Holliday Lake State Park is a beautiful and diverse outdoor recreation area that offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, camp, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the area, this park is definitely worth a visit.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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