Enjoy a weekend getaway or leisurely vacation at Virginia’s picturesque lakes. Check out recreation attractions from beaches and boating to camping and picnic areas around this historic mid-Atlantic state. Then search Swimsuits Direct online for bathing suits and cover-ups to look fashionable throughout your trip.
Southern Region
John H. Kerr Lake (Buggs Island Project), Clarksville: Virginia’s biggest lake boasts 800 plus amazing miles of coast and freshwater, spanning over 50,000 acres. Access it from Occoneechee or Staunton River State Parks. This popular crappie angling spot hosts fishing tournaments. Following Buggs Island construction, Congress renamed this locale Kerr Lake after the congressman who obtained dam approval and funding.
Lake Gaston, South Hill: Straddling Virginia/North Carolina borders, 20,000 acres feature swimming, water skiing, wakeboarding, boating, and fishing.
Philpott Lake, Bassett: Six beaches with nine boat launches on shorelines stretching 100 miles across two counties welcome you to Philpott Lake. The 3000-acre site also provides eight campgrounds.
Shenandoah Valley
Cave Mountain Lake, Natural Bridge Station: At this 7-acre recreation area, visitor highlights include swimming, fishing, sunbathing on the beach, picnicking, and camping.
Lake Arrowhead Beach, Luray: Just beneath Skyline Drive, you’ll find 34 acres of white sand with lifeguards on duty. Bring a watercraft without a gas engine like a canoe or kayak for boating or fishing. Enjoy concessions and picnic sites.
Lake Moomaw, Covington: Gathright Dam extends this lake area’s 2530 acres to ensure fun for everyone. The inviting national forest region offers swimming, camping, and other recreational adventures. Multiple points like Warm Springs provide boat launches.
Sherando Lake, Lyndhurst: Bordering Blue Ridge Parkway, 24 national forest acres include Sherando’s sandy beach with bathhouse and swimming. Other activities are fishing and overnight campground stays.
Central Section
Lake Anna, Louisa: Coming in third by size, Lake Anna’s water surface spreads across 13,000 acres. Pursue your favorite watersports or relax on the 200-mile coastline.
Smith Mountain Lake, Blue Ridge Mountains: The second largest freshwater lake offers multiple access points along its 500-mile waterfront. North shore entries include Smith Mountain Lake State Park and Bedford County. From the southwest, use Franklin County. Pittsylvania County allows southeast approaches.
Stonehouse Lake Park, Amherst: Permitting fishing only and requiring boats with non-gas engines, this watershed lake’s 41 acres provide other entertainment options. At Stonehouse, families relish grilling meals, eating at the picnic pavilion, and frolicking at the playground.
Appalachia
Cavitt’s Creek Park and Lake, Tazewell: Explore this lake’s 54 acres in rented paddleboats or flat-bottomed rowboats. Or launch your own vessel without a gas engine from one of two ramps. Stocked fish include bass, trout, and walleye. Extend your stay by camping.
Wise Lake Reservoir, Wise: Treasured family activities in this woodland area include boating, fishing, walking trails, wildlife watching, and picnicking.
Blue Ridge Highlands
South Holston Lake, Abingdon: In Washington County Park, swimming, boating, and fishing are favorite lake amusements. For extended stays, pitch your tent or arrive in a camper.
Northern District
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston: The main attraction at this fun park is 18 acres of water. Spend a family getaway enjoying the waterpark, pedal boats, fishing, and lake tours. Campsites, a bathhouse, camp store, and RV dump station encourage longer vacations.
Hampton Roads
Lone Star Lakes Park, Suffolk: Pick among 11 lakes traversing 1000 acres. Temptations start with freshwater fishing, fascinating nature trails, model airplane field, and picnic areas.
Stunning Swimwear
Bathing suits: Browse Swimsuits Direct’s Anne Cole line for women’s and plus-size bathing suits in various trendy silhouettes. Two- and one-piece bandeaus with or without straps enable visual alteration and tan-line versatility. Women wanting to reveal midriffs can pair Anne Cole bikini, halter, or tankini tops with hipster or mid-rise bottoms. For classic fuller upper coverage, choose high-neck styles or maillots. High-waist briefs in women’s and plus-size separates will conceal your tummy.
Need plus-size swimsuits to hide your lower half including thighs? Shop our popular Anne Cole Plus collection for swim dresses and skirted bottoms. Fabrics feature florals, stripes, subdued to dazzling shades, and color blocking.
Cover-ups: Harmonizing or contrasting cover ups for above fashion finds ensure modesty and sun protection when boating, fishing, and picnicking. Select from shirts, tunics, ponchos, kimonos, dresses, and skirts in light to dark solids or floral, stripe, ethnic, or geometric patterns. Designer details like front lacing, pompoms, tassels, and fringe on mesh, crochet, sheer, flowing, and stretchy fabrics add glamour.
