Horseshoe Point Park
Henry, Virginia · on Philpott Lake
Verified · 3 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $7/day
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Horseshoe Point Park
Horseshoe Point Park is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground and day-use recreation area on Philpott Lake near Henry, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge foothills of Franklin County. For anyone after a lake to swim in, the swimming hole here is a large sandy beach with a roped-off designated swim area on the 2,900-acre reservoir, alongside camping, a boat ramp, and picnic facilities.
The site sits on the shore of Philpott Lake, a 2,900-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with 100 miles of shoreline in the rugged foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by mixed oak, maple, hickory, pine, and cedar forest. The lake was formed by Philpott Dam, built by the Corps between 1948 and 1952 on the Smith River for flood control, hydroelectric power, and recreation.
Swimming at Horseshoe Point Park
Swimming takes place off a large sandy beach with a roped-off designated swim area, per the official Recreation.gov facility listing for the campground. No further detail on water depth, clarity, or bottom conditions at the swim area specifically was found in the sources reviewed.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Highway 220, turn onto Henry Road (SR-605) and follow for 8 miles, then turn left onto Horseshoe Point Road to the park entrance at 3950 Horseshoe Point Road, Henry, VA 24102.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. The swim beach is a developed, drive-to amenity within the Horseshoe Point campground/day-use area, reached by a short walk from campground/day-use parking, not a hike. Exact walk time was not stated in any source found. Recreation.gov separately notes 'many miles of hiking and biking trails surround Philpott Lake' but does not name a specific trail leading to this swim beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Large sandy beach with a roped-off, designated swim area at a developed USACE campground (per Recreation.gov), the roped enclosure and gentle lake-shore entry are typically kid-friendly, though no source confirms lifeguard staffing, so supervise accordingly.
Parking
Available
Recreation.gov confirms a maximum of two vehicles per campsite with a $7/day fee for any additional vehicle; no separate day-use/swim-area parking fee or lot-vs-roadside detail was found in the sources reviewed.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and showers are provided at the Horseshoe Point campground/day-use area (per Recreation.gov); not confirmed whether a dedicated restroom sits immediately at the swim beach itself vs. elsewhere in the campground.
Hours
Park gates are closed 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (per Recreation.gov); no separate seasonal opening/closing dates were found.
On the water
Recreation.gov lists a boat ramp and dock at Horseshoe Point, and its Philpott Lake gateway page names 'Boating' and 'Water Sports' among the lake's popular activities, indicating general boating access; no motor-size, no-wake, or electric-only restriction specific to this area was found. All visitors are asked to clean/drain/dry boats and gear between waters to prevent spread of invasive species.
Backstory
Philpott Lake was created by Philpott Dam, constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1948 and 1952 on the Smith River for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation.
Horseshoe Point Park: FAQ
Does Horseshoe Point Park charge a fee?
A $7/day fee applies for extra vehicles beyond the two allowed per campsite; a separate day-use/swim-area fee, if any, was not specified in the source reviewed.
Is Horseshoe Point Park kid friendly?
Large sandy beach with a roped-off, designated swim area at a developed USACE campground (per Recreation.gov), the roped enclosure and gentle lake-shore entry are typically kid-friendly, though no source confirms lifeguard staffing, so supervise accordingly.
Do I need to hike to reach Horseshoe Point Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Horseshoe Point Park?
Recreation.gov confirms a maximum of two vehicles per campsite with a $7/day fee for any additional vehicle; no separate day-use/swim-area parking fee or lot-vs-roadside detail was found in the sources reviewed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Horseshoe Point Park?
Recreation.gov lists a boat ramp and dock at Horseshoe Point, and its Philpott Lake gateway page names 'Boating' and 'Water Sports' among the lake's popular activities, indicating general boating access; no motor-size, no-wake, or electric-only restriction specific to this area was found. All visitors are asked to clean/drain/dry boats and gear between waters to prevent spread of invasive species.
What are the rules at Horseshoe Point Park?
No alcohol allowed; park gates closed 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; maximum two vehicles per campsite; firewood must be purchased locally and burned on-site; visitors must clean gear and recreational equipment before/after contact with the water to prevent spread of invasive species.
What water body is Horseshoe Point Park on?
Horseshoe Point Park is on Philpott Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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