Lake houses in Lake Anna

The clean, placid waters of Lake Anna draw visitors from Washington, D.C., and the Eastern Seaboard from spring until late fall. Nine thousand acres of this 17-mile-long reservoir, created by the North Anna Dam, are open to the public. Many people rent a boat to explore the lake’s secluded coves and fishing nooks, and families with children who love swimming will find a sandy, well-guarded beach in Lake Anna State Park. Fishing, sailing, and jet skiing may take up the bulk of your retreat, but you can also spend a day or two exploring picturesque towns like Fredericksburg, Bumpass, and Charlottesville, or the historical battlefields that surround the lake. Or your retreat may bring you to the wineries and craft cider makers who have found a home in Central Virginia.

From mid-May through the end of September, the temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and often climb into the 90s, especially in July and August. Not surprisingly, these are the peak times for both tourism and lake activity. Don’t forget sunscreen if you’re on the water, but pack an umbrella and raincoat in case of summer downpours.

Autumn stretches from October through November, and if you’re staying in one of Lake Anna’s vacation rentals during this time, you’ll likely need a warm jacket. Winters here are not harsh, but the temperature often drops below freezing, so bring your snow gear. Spring starts in March, with the return of flowers and foliage and gently warming weather.

Lake Anna State Park

Located on the north end of Lake Anna, this state park offers the area’s best beach, broad and sandy, as well as more than 15 miles of hiking and horse trails that skirt the lake’s ruffled shoreline or meander through the woodlands. Many of the trails, as well as the fishing pond, are wheelchair accessible.

Spotsylvania Battlefield

In May 1864, the Union and Confederate armies waged war for two weeks near the Spotsylvania Courthouse, located 18 miles northeast of Lake Anna, and tens of thousands of soldiers were killed or wounded here. The National Park Service has created self-guided walking and driving tours of this important battlefield as well as other nearby Civil War sites. You can also wander around the Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic District nearby to admire the centuries-old homes and public buildings.

Fishing

Fishing tournaments on Lake Anna start in the spring and go well into fall, thanks in part to water warmed by the power plant on the south shore. You’ll find a number of boat rental companies around the area, as well as chartered fishing boats. Most fishers are on the hunt for largemouth bass, crappie, and striped bass.