Hydaway Lake
Lynchburg, Virginia · on Camp Hydaway Lake
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5 per non
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Hydaway Lake
Hydaway Lake is a 32-acre lake at Liberty University's Hydaway Outdoor Center in Lynchburg, Virginia, featuring a sandy beach and a designated swimming area. The lake was recently expanded from 6 acres in a two-year renovation and reopened to the public with a 'Beach Bash' event in September 2025.
The lake sits on Liberty University-owned recreation land at 936 Camp Hydaway Road, less than 5 miles from the university's main Lynchburg campus. It is developed as an outdoor recreation center with a sandy beach, campsites, ropes/challenge courses, an amphitheater, and a pavilion, rather than a remote or undeveloped natural site.
Swimming at Hydaway Lake
Swimming takes place at a designated sandy-beach swim area on the lake, alongside kayaking, paddleboarding, and (since the 2025 expansion) waterslides, a splash pad with water jousting, and log-rolling and 'King of the Hill' platform games. It reads as a supervised, family/student-oriented recreational swim area rather than a secluded wild swimming hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 936 Camp Hydaway Road, Lynchburg, VA 24515, less than 5 miles from Liberty University's main campus.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Hydaway Lake is a developed, drive-up university recreation facility (Hydaway Outdoor Center) at 936 Camp Hydaway Road; no hike is required to reach the sandy-beach swim area. Exact walk distance from the parking area to the beach was not documented on official pages.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy-beach designated swim area at a managed university recreation facility, which suggests gentle entry, but no lifeguard presence, water depth, or child-specific safety info could be confirmed on official pages, so caution is still warranted for young/inexperienced swimmers.
Hours
Monday-Friday noon-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 1-8pm (per liberty.edu/campusrec/camphydaway); facility is closed during Liberty University's summer break, May 17-Aug 18.
On the water
Restrictions: Personal (privately owned) boats are prohibited on Hydaway Lake per official rules; only equipment rented through the Hydaway Outdoor Center may be used on the water. No mention of motorboats or jet skis, which appear to not be permitted on this small university lake.
Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered as on-site activities alongside swimming, per liberty.edu/campusrec/camphydaway and the September 2025 Champion reopening article.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards (paddle and PFD included) for use on Hydaway Lake, plus off-site take-away rentals of the same equipment along with camping gear, mountain bikes, and fishing tackle.
Prices: Off-site take-away rates (per official pricing PDF): kayak w/ paddle & PFD $10/day, $18/weekend, $30/week; canoe w/ paddle & 2 PFDs $12/day, $25/weekend, $35/week; paddleboard w/ paddle & PFD $7/day, $18/weekend, $30/week; additional paddle or PFD $2-$6. On-water (in-lake, non-take-away) use pricing was not separately published.
On-site at Hydaway Outdoor Center, 936 Camp Hydaway Road, Lynchburg, VA 24515 · Monday-Friday noon-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 1-8pm; closed May 17-Aug 18
Backstory
The lake underwent a roughly decade-in-planning, two-year drainage and expansion project that grew it from about 6 acres to 32 acres, reopening to the public with a 'Beach Bash' celebration in early September 2025.
Hydaway Lake: FAQ
Does Hydaway Lake charge a fee?
Guests of Liberty University students/faculty/staff pay $5 per non-family guest (up to 2 per day); unlimited family guests included. Equipment rentals (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, mountain bikes, fishing kits) are priced separately.
Is Hydaway Lake kid friendly?
Sandy-beach designated swim area at a managed university recreation facility, which suggests gentle entry, but no lifeguard presence, water depth, or child-specific safety info could be confirmed on official pages, so caution is still warranted for young/inexperienced swimmers.
Do I need to hike to reach Hydaway Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Hydaway Lake?
Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered as on-site activities alongside swimming, per liberty.edu/campusrec/camphydaway and the September 2025 Champion reopening article.
What are the rules at Hydaway Lake?
Liberty Way dress code enforced at all times, requiring modest swimwear (one-piece or tankini with no bare midsection for women; modest short-style bottoms or jammers for men). Personal boats are prohibited on the lake. Fishing requires a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license with catch-and-release rules, except for seasonally stocked rainbow trout.
What water body is Hydaway Lake on?
Hydaway Lake is on Camp Hydaway Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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