Lake Meade Park

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Last Updated: December 22, 2025

Lake Meade Park is a popular recreational destination in Virginia that offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages.


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Summary

The park, which is located in Suffolk, VA, covers over 320 acres and features a 48-acre lake that is ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming.

One of the main reasons to visit Lake Meade Park is to enjoy its scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the lake's shoreline, have a picnic with family and friends, or simply relax and soak up the sun.

In addition to its natural beauty, the park is home to several points of interest, including a playground, a picnic pavilion, and a fishing pier. There are also hiking trails and a disc golf course for those who enjoy more active pursuits.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Lake Meade was originally created in the 1930s as a part of the New Deal program. It was designed to provide recreational opportunities for local residents and to help mitigate flooding in the surrounding area.

The best time of year to visit Lake Meade Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, visitors can also enjoy the park's fall foliage and winter activities, such as ice skating and sledding.

Overall, Lake Meade Park is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some time in nature. Its beautiful scenery, wide range of activities, and interesting history make it a must-visit destination in Virginia.

       

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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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