Lake Robertson is a hidden gem in a magical mountain landscape. Makes a great little hike. Pool and…read morecamping area is also nice.

So pretty and so quiet. My boyfriend and I came here to the Natural Bridge area and decided to go…read moreon and see this lake that was nearby. The drive was very windy and pretty, and also surrounded by gorgeous mountains and streams. Once we got to the lake it was just amazingly pretty, it was kind of crazy how clear it was. It really drowned everything else out. Definitely would go again honestly for that lake. Coming from NOVA definitely a nice change of scenery.

We found Mountain 2 Island Paddleboarding through Claytor Lake State Park (exit 101 off I-81)and…read morechecked out their website. They offer lessons and paddleboard rentals. Lessons are cheaper when you bring more people with you. When we gave them a call no one answered, but someone called right back. The man was extremely nice and answered all of my questions. They were also pretty flexible with reservations days and times which I thought was great. Mtn2Island is next to the Claytor Lake State Park visitor center. You have to pay the $5 dollar Park entrance fee (for park maintenance people, totally worth it!) Transactions were completed through Square using iPads (love that). They fitted us for a paddle, gave us a lifejacket (he said VA law requires you have one with you), and then we got to it. They had the paddleboards down by the dock, and the Mtn2Island people put them in the water for us. The instructor, Issac, was very calm and extremely patient while my younger sister (who is in her 30s by the way) was in hysterics about getting in the water. Another young lady, Rachel, came down to help coax her into giving it a try. It took them about 30 minutes to get her to get in the water, but she did. It was definitely harder than I thought it would be and I don't recommend doing squats the day before because my legs were killing me after, but it was a lot of fun and I would do it again. The waves from the nearby boat made it difficult for me to keep my balance and about that time my sister fell in (she was wearing her life jacket and was totally fine), but she got back on her board and we made it back to the docks.

We got lucky with our experience with Mountain 2 Island. We were camping at Claytor Lake and…read morewanted to rent a pontoon. We were lucky enough to be able to rent one of the last boats. We were expecting something that was run down but works. To our amazement we were given a brand new Bentley pontoon. It literally had 1 hr on the engine. Service was great. We were able to take our two pups on the water with us. We will be back and hope to use them again. Beautiful lake that we were able to explore thanks to Mountain 2 Island.

Don't let all my NJ posts fool you. I was born and raised in southwest Virginia and most of my…read morefamily still lives there. Although I am forever grateful that my parents moved us out of the area when we were younger - especially when I get a peek at the local electoral maps - my heart remains in the mountains. Can't say my brains remain here though because it took until today to realize Claytor Lake was 1) a state park and 2) gorgeous and amazing. All these years I just thought it was nowhere special that my cousins would go fishing. And to think I road trip all the way to NH and Maine every year and could have just driven 7 miles from my grandmother's for an equally rewarding experience. I had cabin fever today at my granny's and caught the local Outdoors magazine write up about Claytor Lake. There's camping?? Swimming?? Trails?? I watched a few videos on YouTube then got in the car to see for myself. Need to know: -There's a booth at the entrance - closed after 4pm. $7 parking fee for most paid by the honor system with cash or check or by card through the QR code during after hours. There are 4 campgrounds - I only saw Campground D open and it was overwhelmingly being used by those with RVs, teardrops, and campers. These are NOT wooded lots, rather gravel pull-ins and you'll likely be very close to your neighbor. A lil too close for me but I can see it not being a huge deal since everyone had campers to sleep in. I took a drive through this campground to see if I would feel comfortable and I didn't see any displays that would make me think I wouldn't (you picking up what I'm putting down?) Trails and paved paths galore. I saw one trail today but didn't get to explore much. Apparently the only shoes I packed for this trip were Crocs. Paved paths snake through the park and are accessible for those with mobility devices. The "lake" was created by damming the river. The water is clear by the shore. We love clean river water! Tons of shelters, grills, benches. There is something for everyone! Not sure if shelters are first come first serve or if you need to book them in high season - check the website. There's a gift shop but it was closed. I was bummed because you know I love stickers! I am counting down the days until I can return in the warmer weather. I would not be opposed to camping here or swimming once they reopen the beach for the season. I also look forward to exploring the trails. Fantastic solo outing. What a gem in my little country corner of the world.

I came to this campground after I looked on line to see if I could fish during the night for…read morecatfish. The answer came back that registered campers could but not general public. Park day use areas close down at 10 PM. According to the Internet, they only close these fishing areas at 10 PM for daytime visitors but last registered campers fish all night. At 10PM, we were asked to leave the fishing pier. I mentioned what the Internet said and the ranger seemed baffled and said that it's not true so we had to leave. He did say he would look into it because it was important to him that people had the right info. Problem is, during the summer, in this part of the country, the water gets hot and the fish go deep. Being a bank angler, it's impossible to catch any catfish during the day, they only come shallow at night. The bass fishing is the same. Fishermen and hunters pay for the bulk of what it costs to keep these parks operational yet when we would like to use them, we get the shaft. This quote is from the VA Outdoors Management : A lot of our funding to help conserve wildlife and habitat comes from public spending on things like fishing and hunting licenses, tags, or stamps, boat registrations, and via a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Those sources of financial support have helped us protect hundreds of species and their habitat for over 100 years, but there's always more we can do for Virginia's wildlife. That's where you come in. You too can become a steward of the outdoors by supporting our work or working with us -- whether you hunt, fish, and boat or simply enjoy the outdoors. So, you can see what I'm saying. It is not right or fair that everyone else gets to do what they want but we flip the bill for it. Then our rights keep getting tanked. They put hiking trails and bike trails and beaches for swimming, but keep taking away hunting and fishing rights and they keep raising the prices. Hunters and fishermen are always on the bottom of the list of whom these people cater to. It's not fair or just. At the very least, we should be able to fish when we want especially when that is the only time those fish will bite!!!

Been going here since a little kid. Love the area, it's great for kids and the family. Fishing,…read morepool, biking, walking playgrounds. Absolutely love this campground. Highly recommend

OK we went here in the fall, but I bet this place is hopping in the summer. It has everything a…read moresummer RV-er could want. Beautiful campgrounds kept very clean. Playgrounds for the kids. A swimming pool (no swimming in the lake). A gorgeous lake that you can take a boat out on. Trails to hike. Camper's paradise. There were no real campers there when we stopped by, probably because it was late October and it gets pretty cold in WV that time of year. It's pretty "off the beaten path" too. Oh, but what a place to go camping.

Took a Saturday afternoon drive out to Plum Orchard Lake with the fam in our Jeep. It's about 1.5…read morehours from us -- a mix of interstate, toll roads, winding turns, and peaceful backroads that made the ride feel like part of the adventure. When we arrived, the lake did *not* disappoint -- calm water, gorgeous scenery, and just a relaxed, welcoming energy. We didn't even try to explore the whole place (it's huge). We stopped at the first dock we saw, hopped out with our gear, and got straight to fishing. Mealworms on the hook, lines in the water, and good vibes all around. We saw fish swimming past and had a few nibbles, but no actual catches this time. Still, the whole experience was a win. It wasn't crowded at all -- just a few groups scattered around, everyone spaced out enough that it still felt peaceful. No loud music, no chaos, just people enjoying nature. **Pro Tips:** * Bring your own bait, drinks, and plenty of snacks (trust me, you'll get hungry). * There's a port-o-potty nearby *or*, you know\... nature works in a pinch (ask the boys ). * Sunscreen is a must and a hat, perhaps. We're already planning a return trip -- maybe with kayaks or to check out another part of the lake. If you're looking for a quiet, scenic spot to fish, chill, or just unwind without a crowd, Plum Orchard is a solid pick.

I was in the area and on a lark decided to check out the lake. It is truly a hidden gem in these…read morelovely hills! The southern part of the lake had a large layer of lily pads and the water caught the fall colors of the hills perfectly. I wish I had a boat there so I could go out on the water, it was a perfectly tranquil day.

The camp site was really nice for tent campin. Restrooms were clean and stocked. The staff were…read moregreat. The lake was a terrible disappointment, it smelled bad and is no longer properly taken care of.

Located within the Blue Ridge Mountains, this area is great spot within reach of a number of hiking…read moretrails, a lake for swimming, and a wonderful camping ground suitable for casual campers/families. The lake was perfect for swimming in: great temperature, clean, and a lot of grassy shore space along the side. There was large grass areas where one could play frisbee or do other outdoor games. The campground is well-maintained, clean, and has a number of amenities that make camping convenient. Campers have access to flush toilets as well as showers. The facilities aren't particularly fancy but it's camping -- if you wanted fancy, you should stay indoors :) Prices were reasonable as well. $15 a night for a single site. Single site campsites come with a large parking space, a picnic table, and a firepit. Most of the spots are well shaded, and there is easily enough space for a large family tent or a few smaller tents. The campground has access to a number of trail heads and within a short driving distance, even more trails are available. Some trails are short and suitable for beginning hikers, others more challenging with steep inclines and a number of switchbacks up the mountain. Some are also perfect for day hikes as well. Located nearby is the Appalachian Trail as well as the James River (one can rent kayaks, canoes, etc.). The campground is nearby to Natural Bridge, VA -- which has a large natural bridge one can pay to see -- and Lexington, VA -- which has a cute downtown area to walk through and some nice restaurants to eat at.

How beautiful! You really can't find hidden gems like this anymore. Just nature, no cell signal, no…read moreemails, just for real peace and quiet. I stayed in Cabin 12, a two bedroom cabin on a little hill. It was far enough away from the other cabins to feel private, but within sight enough to feel safe. There were trails to hike or bike all over, strolled a few, but the frigid weather kept it 3 miles or less, so glad there were plenty of loop options. As we (the dog came along as usual) were there in winter, a lot was shut down for the season, but there was a restaurant, camp store, marina, and swim beach that I bet are pretty busy come summer! The lake is beautiful against the rolling mountains. Town is close by for groceries, and the Falling Spring Falls are a must see! Hit up Covington and Clifton Forge for supplies and other random things to do if you are interested in a low-key vacay!

We had seen signs for this state park while occasionally traveling along I-64 in western Virginia…read more While pressed a bit for time, we decided to check it out with an eye towards deciding whether it would be worth a future camping trip. Yes, it would be! The state park (4,545 acres) is nestled in the Allegheny Mountains. It had been a traditional family park since 1936, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in development of parks nationwide. The park features mountain scenery, stream fishing, a 50-acre stocked lake, sandy swimming beach, cabins and campsites (including some lake-side), and 43 miles of hiking. There's also a well-stocked camp store and small grill. We were pleasantly surprised by the prices. One tip: when you reach the state park, there is a parking area on the right along the stream, with signage. The MAIN entrance, near the lake, is an additional four miles up the road.

My 20-year old son and I were staying in Roanoke in May 2026 and decided to visit Carvins Cove…read moreNatural Reserve. When you drive into the main parking lot, a staff person will step out to collect a $7 per vehicle entry fee. Lots of pluses. First, the area has clean restrooms and a well-marked trail. Second, it's a peaceful and quiet setting as you walk along the Happy Valley trail. Third, we saw many kayakers on the lake and a few people fishing by the dock and along the left bank of the lake. However, I was surprised by the low level of lake water (you can see exposed rock). This is a family-friendly location to rent a kayak or take a peaceful walk along the reservoir.

We had seen this reservoir on a list of "natural" things to do in the Roanoke area so went to check…read moreit out. Fairly soon after crossing under I-81, the road becomes quite curvy and narrow. As you approach the park area, there's a $7/car fee, that goes to the Water Authority. (The reservoir supplies water for the city of Roanoke). We were there in mid-October, and the area was beautiful with the lake reflecting the colors of the changing leaves on the nearby hillside trees. There are many recreational opportunities from fishing on the piers, to renting single- or double-kayaks (through late October), and hiking the nearby trails. Clean restrooms are available.

Smith Mountain Lake is my 33rd VA State Park. Its not one of my Favorites because, after my…read morechildren are grown, I really dont play in the water. I may swim in a pool but I dont jet ski, or boat, or fish. I dont like to buy food from the food shacks and it seemed to me, the space allotted for swimming was small anyway. They did have hiking trails. I took a two mile trail hike, took pictures and started on my way to James River SP.

Came back again and stayed in a waterfront cabin this time, and it's well worth the upgrade! The…read moreview was great and the bedroom faced the water with a picturesque double window complete with blinds to limit or highlight the scene! Osprey were nesting, which was amazing!! Trails were beautiful, and since we were just weeks from peak season, it was still quiet and peaceful, but with gorgeous spring weather!

Clean park and beach. They have restrooms and a few port a potties in place as well. The…read moreplayground has one large feature plus some swings and a smaller feature for littler kids. A nice bed of mulch makes for soft landings. The morning is decently shaded in the summer. There is also a grill available by the pavilion for some grilling and picnicking. Plenty of tables and a few benches. The beach was well groomed and free from cigarette butts. No smoking vaping or tobacco products which is awesome! The lake itself is gentle and only the wakes from boats make for soft waves, perfect for small children. The parking area is at the loop at the end of the road. The beach is open seasonally however the park and picnic area is open all year round. They do have a few trash cans on site but I also saw a sign indicating that everyone is meant to pack out their trash with them so I think the cans probably go away during the off season.