Claytor Lake State Park

Claytor Lake is a reservoir in Virginia with extensive water areas and densely forested shorelines filled with oak, hickory, and poplar trees. The park includes boat ramps scattered along the water, camping areas by the shore, hiking trails through the woods, and designated swimming zones for visitors.

The lake formed in 1939 when a power company completed a dam to harness the river for electricity production. Local citizens and business owners came together and raised money to establish the park in 1946, turning the area into public land.

The lake sits in a region shaped by its connection to local communities and the industries that have defined the area for generations. This relationship between people and the water remains visible in how visitors use and experience the shoreline today.

The park is open year-round with designated swimming areas watched by lifeguards during summer months. You can rent boats throughout the park, fish in various spots, and walk on clearly marked trails.

The Howe House, built between 1876 and 1879, sits within the park and now serves as a visitor center with displays about lake ecology and local natural history. The park also offers all-terrain wheelchairs and has specially designed accessible cabins and fishing piers for visitors with mobility needs.