Walnut Creek Park
North Garden, Virginia · on Walnut Branch · Walnut Creek Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15/hour
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Walnut Creek Park
Walnut Creek Park is an Albemarle County, Virginia park built around a 45-acre manmade lake (Walnut Creek Lake), impounded in 1990, located south of Charlottesville near North Garden. It is one of only three official swimming lakes operated by Albemarle County Parks & Recreation, with a designated swim beach open seasonally each summer, a managed swimming hole for anyone hunting places to swim near Charlottesville.
The park sits within 525 acres of mixed deciduous forest in rural Albemarle County, centered on the impounded lake with about 2 beach acres along the shoreline. The surrounding forest and open areas support roughly 150 bird species, including great blue herons, ospreys, and migratory waterfowl, and the property has 15 miles of trails used for hiking, running, and mountain biking.
Swimming at Walnut Creek Park
Swimming takes place at a designated, county-operated beach on the lake, staffed and fee-gated during the official summer swim season (daily 10am-6pm per 2026 reporting). It is a calm, flat-water lake swim rather than a wild or remote hole -- suited to families and casual swimmers -- with kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals available alongside the beach.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Charlottesville, take Route 29 South to Red Hill, turn left onto Route 708/Red Hill Road, and continue about three miles to Route 631/Old Lynchburg Road; the park entrance is at 4250 Walnut Creek Park Road, North Garden, VA 22959.
Parking: On-site parking is available at the park.
The hike in
This is a drive-up, developed county beach on an impounded lake -- no hike is needed to reach the swimming area. The park separately has 15 miles of multi-use trails (hiking/running/mountain biking) through the surrounding 525 acres, but those are a distinct recreational feature, not an approach route to the beach.
Swim beach is reached via on-site parking; exact walk distance/time from the lot to the beach was not stated in any source found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Designated county swim beach is fully staffed with lifeguards during the official summer season, on a calm, flat-water impoundment (no current, no waterfall/rapids). Family-oriented amenities on-site include picnic areas, grills, and wildlife observation platforms. One caution: the beach was briefly closed in May 2025 after a harmful algae bloom was detected (reopened after retesting showed normal water quality), so it's worth checking current conditions before a visit.
Parking
Paid
On-site parking lot at the park entrance (4250 Walnut Creek Park Road). Access is via a fee-based entry rather than a separate parking charge -- 2026 reporting cites resident vs. non-resident admission rates for the swim season, but the exact per-vehicle/per-person dollar amounts were not found in sources (Albemarle County's own page, albemarle.org, returned 403 Forbidden on every fetch attempt).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are an on-site amenity at the park, listed alongside the beach and picnic facilities; exact building location relative to the beach/parking not specified in sources found.
Hours
Swim beach: officially open daily 10am-6pm during the summer swim season (2026 reporting cites June 1 through August 9); roughly Memorial Day-Labor Day per DWR. General park access (trails, fishing, boating, disc golf) appears to extend beyond the swim-season window, since it stayed open during the May 2025 swim closure, but exact year-round park gate hours were not documented in sources found.
On the water
Restrictions: Electric motors only -- gasoline outboard motors are prohibited on the lake. An exception allows anglers with gas outboards to fish if the motor is tilted up out of the water and the gas tank is removed or the fuel line disconnected. There is an on-site kayak/canoe launch and a boat ramp.
County-run canoe/kayak/paddleboard rentals operate during the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) at the beach.
Rentals nearby
Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals
Prices: About $15/hour (per prior season reporting)
At the swim beach, Walnut Creek Park, 4250 Walnut Creek Park Road, North Garden, VA · Available during the official summer swim season only (beach hours reported as daily 10am-6pm, 2026 season June 1-August 9); credit cards, cash, and checks accepted
Backstory
Walnut Creek Lake is a manmade reservoir impounded in 1990; the surrounding land became Albemarle County's Walnut Creek Park.
Walnut Creek Park: FAQ
Does Walnut Creek Park charge a fee?
Fee-based entry during the swim season; 2026 season reporting cites daily swim hours of 10am-6pm with lower rates for Albemarle County residents (children and adults) than for non-county residents; kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals run about $15/hour; credit cards, cash, and checks are accepted.
Is Walnut Creek Park kid friendly?
Designated county swim beach is fully staffed with lifeguards during the official summer season, on a calm, flat-water impoundment (no current, no waterfall/rapids). Family-oriented amenities on-site include picnic areas, grills, and wildlife observation platforms. One caution: the beach was briefly closed in May 2025 after a harmful algae bloom was detected (reopened after retesting showed normal water quality), so it's worth checking current conditions before a visit.
Do I need to hike to reach Walnut Creek Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Walnut Creek Park?
On-site parking lot at the park entrance (4250 Walnut Creek Park Road). Access is via a fee-based entry rather than a separate parking charge -- 2026 reporting cites resident vs. non-resident admission rates for the swim season, but the exact per-vehicle/per-person dollar amounts were not found in sources (Albemarle County's own page, albemarle.org, returned 403 Forbidden on every fetch attempt).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Walnut Creek Park?
County-run canoe/kayak/paddleboard rentals operate during the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) at the beach.
When is the best time to visit Walnut Creek Park?
Summer (official swim season, roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day).
What are the rules at Walnut Creek Park?
The swim beach and lake are open to swimming only during the official summer season (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day, per DWR; 2026 dates reported as running into early-to-mid August), during posted hours. The county has closed swimming (while keeping hiking, fishing, and boating open) when water quality testing detected a harmful algae bloom, reopening once retesting showed normal water quality.
What water body is Walnut Creek Park on?
Walnut Creek Park is on Walnut Branch, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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