If you haven’t already booked your summer vacation, you may find the most popular beaches pretty full or garnering hundreds of dollars for a hotel room. But it's still possible to have a memorable Virginia vacation along the coast. Consider planning a trip to these seven lesser known waterfront destinations for an affordable vacation without the crowds.

Sandbridge Beach—Virginia Beach

Sandbridge Beach
Photo Credit: Brian Camp @brian_k_camp

Just 15 miles south of the resort area of Virginia Beach, Sandbridge is a peaceful community on the Atlantic Ocean with five miles of pristine, secluded beaches. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park are close to the main beach area, providing opportunities to explore the coastal landscape by hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Spend the night on the beach and wake up to epic ocean views when you reserve a primitive campsite with False Cape.

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

Smith Mountain Lake—Bedford, Franklin, Pittsylvania

Smith Mountain Lake
Photo Credit: Stephen Catalano

Smith Mountain Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Virginia and is about an hour southeast of Roanoke. With over 500 miles of shoreline bordering the lake, there are plenty of places to set up your beach towel and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers a variety of water sports rentals, including boats, tubes, water skis, and wakeboards, and you’ll find a number of bed and breakfasts and rental properties within a short drive of the lake.  

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

Philpott Lake—Bassett

Philpott Lake
Photo Credit: Beth Marshall

Covering 3,000 acres between Henry and Franklin Counties, Philpott Lake has roughly 100 miles of shoreline. In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the lake is an ideal waterfront spot for outdoor lovers. Hiking, biking, and fishing are popular activities in the area. The lake has eight campgrounds along the shoreline, with six beach areas and nine boat launches open to the public. During your stay near Philpott Lake, stop by Fairy Stone State Park, where you can search for the namesake “fairy stones” and hike picturesque trails. There are not a lot of restaurant options close to the lake, but if you’re not willing to drive more than a few miles for a meal, you can always pack your own supplies for a campfire cookout.

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

Lake Gaston—Bracey

Lake Gaston

Lake Gaston straddles the borders of Virginia and North Carolina, providing about 350 miles of shoreline for your coastal retreat. Camp along the water at Lake Gaston Americamps, a family-friendly campground with a swimming pool, miniature golf, volleyball and basketball courts, and a playground. The campground is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friends. The lake is open to a myriad of water sports, from fishing and boating to waterskiing, wakeboarding, and swimming. Boats and kayaks are available to rent from Holly Grove Marina, located on the north shore of Lake Gaston off Interstate 85.

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

Onancock—The Eastern Shore

Onancock Harbor
Photo Credit: Hannah Armstrong @hannahelizarmstrong

Chincoteague and Cape Charles are two of the most popular spots to vacation on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, but the small town of Onancock should not be overlooked when planning a coastal vacation. Nicknamed the “Gem of the Eastern Shore” by Captain John Smith in 1607, Onancock is quaint but charming, packed with an abundance of locally owned antique stores, restaurants, and historic B&Bs. See the sights in town on foot, then rent kayaks or stand up paddleboards from Burnham Guides to explore the town’s coastline as you paddle through the marshy waters of Onancock Creek.

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

The New River—Radford

Fly Fishing in the New River
Photo Credit: Jeff Greenough

One of the five oldest rivers in the world, the New River has the unique attribute of running south to north, crossing into Virginia near Galax, connecting to Clayton Lake near Dublin, and then continuing through Southwest Virginia towards West Virginia around Pearisburg. While Radford is the only city sitting directly on the river, there are a number of boat ramps that provide public access along the waterway.

If staying on the northern end of the river, book stand up paddleboards, kayaks, and other watersport gear through Tangent Outfitters in Pembroke or Radford, or if you’re closer to southern end, rent canoes, kayaks, and tubes through New River Outdoor Adventures in Galax. Follow the river for almost 40 miles in New River Trail State Park, a Rail to Trail system that allows for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

Lake Anna—Louisa

Lake Anna State Park

Lake Anna spans 13,000 acres and has over 200 miles of shoreline, making it an ideal recreational destination for those seeking aquatic adventures or a relaxing waterfront vacation. Soak up some sun on one of the lake’s sandy beaches, or bring your boat, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, or other outdoor gear and head out on the water. Lake Anna State Park, on the northwest shore of the lake, offers over 15 miles of hiking trails that branch out through the woods of the park, with several trails leading towards the waterfront. The lake is conveniently located just 72 miles south of Washington D.C., 66 miles north of Richmond, and is less than an hour from both Charlottesville and Fredericksburg.

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

Want more waterfront getaways? Keep planning your beach-y Virginia vacation.