Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park

Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia · on Lake Anna

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: reservoir
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: Yes, see below
SEASON: Best in summer

About Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park

Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park is an officially designated, unguarded sandy swimming beach on Lake Anna, a 13,000-acre reservoir in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, created in 1971 to cool a nuclear power plant. The beach sits within the 3,127-acre state park, which opened in 1983 on the former site of a 19th-century gold mining operation, and it serves as the park's sanctioned swimming hole, the designated place to swim on this big lake.

The beach and surrounding state park occupy mixed hardwood and pine forest along Lake Anna, a large reservoir with roughly 10 miles of shoreline within the park boundary. The park was previously known as Gold Hill, site of the Goodwin Gold Mine where gold was discovered in 1829, and the park still offers gold-panning programs tied to that history.

Swimming at Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park

Swimming is permitted only at the designated, unguarded sandy beach area; the park explicitly advises against swimming elsewhere in the park. No lifeguards are on duty, so visitors swim at their own risk. Specific water depth and clarity details were not found in official sources.

How to get to this swimming hole

Parking: A daily parking fee is required for all day-use visitors (exact rate not confirmed from sources found); day-use lots near the beach and picnic areas fill quickly on summer weekends and holidays, and the park may close entry until space opens up.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up beach: the swim area is directly accessible from the day-use parking lot with no hike required. Official park materials describe direct beach access from the parking areas (accessible rail/sidewalk noted in prior research) with no trail approach mentioned.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Designated sandy swim beach at a state park day-use area, but it is unguarded with no lifeguards on duty; the park advises swimming only at the designated beach and at swimmers' own risk. No official source describes the beach entry slope, depth, or bottom composition.

Parking

Paid

Day-use parking lot near the beach and picnic areas. Fills quickly on summer weekends and holidays; the park has closed entry temporarily until lot space frees up during peak visitation. Exact daily parking fee amount could not be confirmed - the park's dedicated fees subpage returned a server error on repeated attempts.

Restrooms

Yes

Bathhouse with restrooms in the main day-use area near the swim beach; a seasonal snack bar (Memorial Day-Labor Day) is also nearby.

Hours

Gate opens 5 a.m. daily, park closes at dusk (dawn-to-dusk hours). Park office open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; visitor center open Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (seasonal).

On the water

Motorboats

The official park page confirms motorboats are permitted on Lake Anna. The park's own environmental education center offers seasonal guided canoe tours, but it is not confirmed whether visitors may launch their own personal canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards at the state park, and no no-wake or electric-only zone was documented for the park's frontage. The park explicitly states it does not rent boats or equipment of any kind on-site.

Rentals nearby

Lake Anna Marina

Pontoon boat rentals; also boat storage, boat sales/repair, and towable inflatables (skis, wakeboards)

4303 Boggs Drive, Bumpass, VA 23024, on Lake Anna · Thursday-Monday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (closed Tuesday/Wednesday; winter hours differ)

Sturgeon Creek Marina

General boat rentals ("a variety of rental options"); specific craft types (kayak/pontoon/etc.) not itemized on their site; also lists a separate captained charter/cruise service ("Cruise Rusty")

5107 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22551

Backstory

The park sits on land once known as Gold Hill, home to the Goodwin Gold Mine where gold was discovered in 1829 and mined into the 1880s. Lake Anna itself was created in 1971 as a cooling reservoir for a nuclear power plant; the state park opened in 1983.

Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park: FAQ

Does Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park charge a fee?

Daily parking fees apply; the park's fees page was not accessible during research so exact dollar amounts could not be confirmed.

Is Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park?

When is the best time to visit Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park?

Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day), when the visitor center and beach snack bar are open; the park notes it reaches capacity on summer weekends and holidays.

What are the rules at Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park?

Swimming is restricted to the designated beach area and is at the swimmer's own risk (no lifeguards). Park hours are dawn to dusk, with the gate open from 5 a.m.; quiet hours run 10 p.m.-8 a.m. and only overnight campers may remain past 10 p.m. A valid Virginia fishing license is required for fishing.

What water body is Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park on?

Swim Beach at Lake Anna State Park is on Lake Anna, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.