Lake Anna State Park Visitor’s Guide

If you’re looking for a place with beautiful scenery and plenty of water activities, Lake Anna State Park is the place for you!

Lake Anna State Park lies on the northwestern shore of Lake Anna, one of Virginia’s most popular lakes. This 3,127-acre state park has 10 miles of lake frontage and plenty of room to roam, so you can be sure to have a memorable visit.

Lake Anna State Park is approximately 25 miles southwest of Fredericksburg and 60 miles northwest of Richmond.

If you’re planning a visit to Lake Anna State Park, keep reading so you can know what to expect and plan out what you want to do at this beautiful Virginia state park.

[Want to see more? Explore some of the best Virginia State Parks in our full guide.]

Lake Anna State Park Information

Address: 6800 Lawyers Rd, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22551

Phone: (540) 854-5503

Official Park Website

Foggy Lake Anna State Park

Lake Anna State Park Entrance Fees

Day fees for entrance and parking are $7 for weekdays and weekends. An annual pass can be purchased for admission to all of Virginia’s state parks.

A boat launch is available for day use for $5, but overnight visitors can use the boat ramp free of charge for the duration of their stay.

Fees for overnight options vary by accommodation, which we’ll explain in more detail below.

Lake Anna State Park Camping and Lodging

Lake Anna State Park provides several overnight amenities such as camping, cabins, yurts, and lodges. It’s a perfect destination for camping near Charlottesville if you’re visiting.

For some overnight options, a minimum stay may be required depending on the time of year. Make sure to check with the park office prior to making a reservation about minimum stays.

Reservations for camping or lodging at Lake Anna State Park can be made through www.reservevaparks.com or by calling 1-800-933-PARK.

Tent & RV Camping

A total of 43 campsites are available at Lake Anna, half of which are standard campsites, and the other half are electric and water (EW) hookup sites. EW sites can accommodate 20, 30, or 50-amp connections for RVs and camper trailers.

All campsites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and are within walking distance of the campground’s bathhouses.

The nightly rate for standard campsites is $30, and the nightly rate for EW sites is $40 for Virginia Residents. Virginia non-residents should expect a slightly higher rate.

Cabins

Ten cabins are also available to reserve at Lake Anna State Park. All cabins are two bedrooms and can sleep 4 individuals, or 6 using the provided pull-out sofa.

Seven of the 10 cabins are waterfront and include a boat slip for those staying in a cabin who wish to dock their boat. All cabins have heat, air conditioning, a bathroom, and a full kitchen.

Nightly rates for water view cabins are $151, and $138 per night for all other cabins.

Additionally, six camper cabins can be reserved at Lake Anna. Camper cabins can sleep up to 4 individuals and do not have a kitchen, fireplace, or running water, but they do have plug-in electricity. Camper cabins are $47 per night at Lake Anna.

Yurts

The 4 available yurts at Lake Anna State Park do not have electricity, running water, heat, air conditioning, or a kitchen.

Yurts can sleep up to 3 people and are located close to campground bathhouses and are equipped with a dining table, fire ring, and a deck.

Nightly rates for yurts are $75

Lodges

Two 6-bedroom lodges are located at Lake Anna State Park as well. Lodges include a full kitchen, heat, air conditioning, a gas fireplace, 3 bathrooms, and a washer and dryer.

Lodges at Lake Anna are $429 per night and can accommodate up to 16 overnight guests.

Lastly, one bunkhouse (a.k.a. camping lodge) can be reserved at Lake Anna. The bunkhouse is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and a window heat/AC unit, but not bathrooms or running water.

Bunkhouses can sleep up to 14 people and are $92 per night.

Things to Do in Lake Anna State Park

With plenty of room to roam on land and on the water, you’ll never get bored at Lake Anna State Park. Here are a few of the park’s most popular activities:

Hiking and Biking Trails

11 marked trails with a total length of 15 miles can be hiked or biked at Lake Anna State Park. The parks trails go through mixed pine and hardwood forests and are rated at either easy or moderate difficulty.

Some trails are dual use for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, while others are for hiking only. The park’s longest trail is the Gold Hill Trail, which is 3.07 miles long with a moderate difficulty rating. The Gold Hill trail is a great choice if you’re looking for a longer hike, but many of the other trails are much shorter.

If you’re looking for additional hiking within driving distance of Lake Anna State Park, there are several hiking trails near Charlottesville that are fit for both amateur to avid hikers.

Swimming

If you’re looking to cool off on a hot summer day, head to beach at Lake Anna State Park

The swimming beach is guarded from Memorial Day and Labor Day, so a swimming pass is required. Swimming is free for overnight visitors, but daily visitors must purchase a swimming pass.

  • Ages 2 and under – Free
  • Ages 3 -12 – $3 (weekdays), $4 (weekends)
  • Ages 13 and up – $4 (weekdays), $5 (weekends)

There is also a snack bar available at the beach that’s open daily.

Fishing

Excellent fishing opportunities can be had at Lake Anna. Anglers can launch a boat from the park’s boat ramp or use the ample amount of bank access available at the park.

Striped and hybrid bass are stocked annually for exciting catches on live bait and artificial lures.

Other species present in Lake Anna include:

  • Largemouth bass
  • Smallmouth bass
  • Sunfish
  • Catfish
  • Crappie

A valid Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. For more information on Virginia fishing regulations and licenses, visit https://dwr.virginia.gov

Boating and Watersports

Boating and watersports are very popular on Lake Anna during the summertime.

Visitors of Lake Anna State Park may bring their own boats, or rentals may be available through local businesses. There are no boat or paddle craft rentals available at Lake Anna State Park.

Overnight visitors can use the boat launch free of charge, otherwise the daily fee is $5 per vehicle.

Lake Anna State Park FAQ

Is there striped bass in Lake Anna?

Yes, the Virginia department of wildlife resources stocks striped and hybrid bass annually in Lake Anna.

Is horseback riding available at Lake Anna State Park?

Yes, visitors may bring their own horses, but may only ride on trails designated for horseback riding.

What amps are the electric hookups at Lake Anna State Park?

The EW sites at Lake Anna State Park can accommodate 20,30, or 50-amp electric connections for RVs and camper trailers.

Explore Other Virginia State Parks

You’re guaranteed to find a beautiful state park nearby wherever you travel in Virginia.

Pochahontas State Park is one of the top visited state parks in the state and full of easy to moderate, flat hiking trails if you’re near the Richmond area. Grayson Highlands State Park, located in far western Virginia, hosts the highest peak in the entire state and First Landing State Park is a great destination for those near the eastern shore.

You can also find guides to additional Virginia State Parks in our list below.