If waterparks are a little too fomal or busy for your vacation style, here are some natural water holes that will soothe your travel-weary feet and soul.
Blue Ridge Highlands | Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
Chesapeake Bay | Northern Virginia | Shenandoah Valley
Southern Virginia | Heart of Appalachia
Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
Blue Ridge Highlands
Cascades Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest includes a two-mile trail with views of the 66' waterfall. The 14' foot pool at the bottom is inviting to swimmers, but it's icy cold year-round! Dip your toes or jump right in, if you dare.
Fairy Stone State Park features a 168-acre lake adjoining Philpott Reservoir just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. This park is famous for its fairystones, which are little cross-shaped crystalline stones.
Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
Assateague Island National Seashore on Chincoteague Island features both the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. You might even spot some wild ponies nibbling on sea grasses!
Chesapeake Bay
Gloucester Point Beach Park on the Chesapeake Bay features a shady and grassy park area with picnic areas and a shelter. The swimming area and sandy beach are perfect for sunbathing, wading, sand castles and other beach fun!
Northern Virginia
Lake Anna State Park features a swimming beach on one of Virginia's most popular lakes. Panning for gold and nature programs are other popular activities.
Shenandoah Valley
Lake Moomaw offers a mere 2,530 acres of lake! A convenient bathhouse makes the beach area quite enjoyable. Other activities at the Lake include boating, water sports, fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking and in-season hunting.
Sherando Lake features swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing. You'll find the sandy beach, shady grass area, and warm showers in the bathhouse to be quite inviting.
Southern Virginia
Lake Rawlings - a SCUBA & Camping Park features very clear lake water for scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling. Who knows what you'll find on your underwater adventure!
Heart of Appalachia
You'll find Cave Springs, a small spring-fed swimming lake, in Wise County. The water is clean, crisp and definitely cool, as the lake is formed courtesy of a cave spring in the mountains above.
Another cold water lake is the 4-acre High Knob Lake with its 300' sandy swimming beach! Picnic, enjoy the bath house with showers, and keep an eye out for some entertainment at the nearby amphitheater. Camping available, too.
Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
Buckroe Beach borders the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton and offers eight acres of family-friendly sandy beach. Rent chairs, umbrellas, and paddle boats for a full day of fun. Food vendors are often on-site with hot dogs and sno cones.
Huntington Park is a 60-acre park with a public beach on the James River in Newport News. Lifeguards are on duty and concessions are available daily during the summer.