Summary
It covers over 2,000 acres and has a 13,000-acre lake with 10 miles of shoreline.
There are many reasons to visit Lake Anna State Park, including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and picnicking. Visitors can rent boats or kayaks and enjoy the lake, which is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. The park also has several hiking trails, including the Lake Trail, which offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding woodland.
One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Visitor Center, which has exhibits on the park's history, wildlife, and ecology. There is also a playground, a picnic area, and a gift shop.
Interesting facts about Lake Anna State Park include that it was created in the 1970s when the North Anna River was dammed to create the lake. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, deer, and beavers.
The best time of year to visit Lake Anna State Park depends on individual preferences. Summer is the busiest season, with warm temperatures and plenty of water activities. Spring and fall are also popular, with mild temperatures and beautiful foliage. Winter is the least popular season, but the park is open year-round and offers activities such as hiking and birdwatching.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References