Just simply beautiful. I wish the beach and swimming area had been open but they have a dog park and you can still Kayak there now. The dogs have water access and can enjoy splashing around and swimming. It was very relaxing!!

I was hoping we would be able to play on the beach even while swimming is prohibited. No dice. The beach is behind a locked gate. Still, there are a few miles of easy-to-moderate trails and a small playground spread around the park. The boat landing also appears to be open. Looks like theres no cost for admission as long as the beach is closed.

A quiet park with a small beach, hiking trails, and accommodations for dogs

Absolutely wonderful park! fenced in off-leash area for dogs that is rich with cedar and spruce which are anti-flea and anti-tick. Obviously the lake is a huge attraction, swimming, boating/kayaking/rafting, fishing and so much more. Picnic area too, each area is designated, i.e. swimming has a mushroom fountain and a beach and slides, changing rooms, bathrooms, etc. Miles of trails to wonder, and tons of woods to walk through, lots of good mushroom and wild herb foraging as well, we will be frequenting this place as long as we are nearby! I hear this year there is no swimming due to the plandemic (checkout plandemicmovie.com for more info), however that information was prior to the re-opening phases of virginia parks and recreation which are currently underway. It would be a tragedy to deny the people the healing powers of these beautiful waters and sacred lake and park. If you come to visit, remember always this is a safe, sacred space, so honor it in the same way you prefer to be honored in a safe sacred way - loved, appreciated, no trashing, courteous, kind, enjoying the most of every moment and having as much fun as possible integrating with the endless beauty and nurturing of nature.

Beautiful bit of nature close to town. Fenced dog park with access to water so your dog can take a swim. During the summer there is a fee at the gate (higher for non residents).Nice beach and swimming area with lifeguards. Check the website before you go to make sure it’s open as they shut down water access if the algae levels are high.Nice trails for hiking. Fishing and kayaking allowed as well.

Great large, shady dog park with lake access for the dogs to swim. About at minute walk from the parking lot in a shady trail. Great treat for any water living for on a hot day with shade for you while they play.

A great retreat with the family, even if we only have a few minutes to burn

Great quiet fishing spot but not much else. There is also a few tables scattered across the park and an event and small play ground.

Nice place, but there are no pedestrian side walks.

As others have said there’s something for everyone, I actually came here to go hiking and then saw that they had kayak and canoe rental. I rented a kayak instead it was the end of the day and I got an hour and a half for five dollars. It’s usually five dollars an hour that is so reasonable. Part of the lake has a dog park on it as well. The photos will tell the rest.

Due the Coronavirus, the beach is closed and the park is free. Unfortunately, the playground is also closed, so its not a good park to bring children to. Its good for fishing, and people with dogs.

The lake is decent. Its a nice place to fish and swim.

A beautiful lake with so many different places to relax... the doc, the woods, the beach, on the water. I was so pleased to see AND hear the water feature. The sun setting on the lake is just stunning...I posted some sunset pics

I use this park for running, from the bottom parking lot to the main road is almost exactly 3 miles. There are some large hills and other paths.

Beautiful park with an amazing dog park, great fishing spots, and wonderful hikes throughout the wooded areas. We cant wait to come back!

Something for everyone! Hiking, boating, fishing, swimming , and a dog park. Never considered the park crowded.

Beautiful place. Located within a short distance from home. A little something for everyone.

Nice place to take doggies to their dog park.

A beautiful and peaceful lake that is perfect for families

Lovely park for family and friends with the fishing areas

Grew up going to this lake.My dog loves the dog park. Great trails for hiking!

Fresh air. Fishing. Hiking. Beautiful views and open sky. Not the biggest state park,but very well maintained.

Great place to fish, picnic, and other outdoor activities.

Beautiful Lake and a nice dog park.

Quiet and peaceful lake. Great for camping and for walking

All the swimming beaches are closed due this summer

Love the park and the trails for running, and the big dog park is fun to take puppies. Closes at sunset, but it is very well maintained and beautiful

What a gem of a park. Not crowded today. The water was nice. Something for all ages. Good memory made today.

Lovely place with great walking trails, ample parking at different spots as well as a great docking area for boats and such. Sunsets here are to die for!

Great water lake to cool off during the summer

Awesome landscape!

Great park with boat loading area, little beach, fenced in dog park where pups can also swim, play ground and a little bit of trails. Fun to paddle around and perfect for learning how to use a SUP.

Amazing place!

Nice lake area we like to pack a picnic lunch and go sit at one of there picnic table and enjoy lunch and the outdoors. They have a walking trail and dog park that right on the water for the dogs that love water. They have a public beach area that is small and gets crowded fast. Off season its free to enjoy the park area.

This is a pretty park to visit. It offers a beautiful lake for fishing and kayaking. It has hiking and biking trails and picnic shelters. There is a playground for kids and a dog park for the four legged ones. They offer swimming in the lake at the beach during the summer. The only negative is that they charge a fee during the summer months. Overall it is a very nice place to visit.

Best dog park in town. Wonderful areas to picnic, easy kayaking, walking trails and it’s always quiet and peaceful.

Nice short trails, and a view of sunset.

Beautiful lake! I hope to visit again and kayak.

The best dog park ever. Theres always at least one or two dogs there. Its a huge space, probably two or three acres, and its on the water front of the lake, at least fifty feet of shore line. Its a small walk through the woods to get to it, which isnt super well labelled,but its very worth it when you get there!

Great dog park

Nice lake near the airport.

Our familys go-to swim spot in the summer. Great little park and the kids love watching the planes come into CHO overhead.

Stopped here with my 2 kids on a very hot day. Easy access and pretty scenery, but the water was not as refreshing as Id hoped, as it was very warm in spots. We arrived in the late afternoon, so it was not too crowded. Friendly staff, but bathrooms & facilities were not very clean.

Pleasants weekend there.

Very nice place to have a close to home beach day!

Great lake not to many people very low key!

Theres a nice little beach here, along with a concrete boat ramp, fishing docks with handicap access, and bank fishing spots with picnic benches. Its a great place to take a family!

Nice place for the kids. Fishing was a bit tough.

Very clean and beautiful. Great fishing.

Nice little lake nearby the city. Its a lake beach... theyre never the cleanest or nicest places but this is a good one for what it is. Nice trails that go around most of the lake. Also has a nice dog park with plenty of space and water access for the water loving dogs. Paid access during summer. Cheaper for Albermarle county residents. Free access (but no beach) during the rest of the year.

Very nice place to relax with the family!

Nice little pond for early morning fishing

Well maintained park, with trails, a playground, lake beach, dock and fenced in dog park. Absolutely stunning in late fall. Beautiful sunsets all times of year.

The best dog park in Charlottesville. it has the most running room and is so beautiful. just make sure to have tick prevention

Great place to hike, fish, swim, and take your dog. Recent years have seen some algae issues, so check with albamarle parks before driving.

Great place to bring your dogs

Very nice. The dog park is amazing (just bring mud boots). Tons of space, kept tidy, the waterfront is perfect. Our dog and kid love it.

Cleaned up and ready for a summer of fun.

This is the best dog park in the Albemarle/Charlottesville area by a long shot.

Nice and clean as a creek can be!

Nice place to spend the day. Love the desperate area for the dogs to swim.

This is one of Charlottesvilles hidden gems. Beautiful view and lots to do. You can go fishing or boating. Great place to read a book and get lost in the moment. Nice hiking trails too. Theres a small beach thats open in the summer, if thats down your alley.

Every year in January I go here to let go 2 balloons in memory of my deceased husband. One is for his passing and the second one is for his birthday. He loved fishing here.

The dog park is the most wonderful place to go to socialize your puppies. the people with their dogs are so nice and we found so many nice dogs there. what a beautiful place to go. New favorite place to be.

Awesome lake that is great for kids!

Been here several years always in relation to cub scout day camp being held here. Overall seems very nice.

Beautiful sunset

Beautiful lake and swim area

Very beautiful lake but the best part was the incredible dog park hidden in the trees!

Clean and plenty of space for our kid and dog to run around. Beautiful scenery.

We love this lake so near to our home. Kayaking, hiking, beach and dock to swim, dog park, fishing. Only getting back access for mountain bikers would earn a 5th star.

Fun place to fish. All kinds of fishing opportunity around the lake..

Fun for Swimming, Fishing, Picnic, and BBQ, bring something to sit on and covering for sun, like beach umbrella, admittance free/ parking free if you get there early, otherwise there are fees️

I have five Labrador Retrievers and we travel from Sumerduck to visit the dog park two or three times a year. The dogs have a great time running and swimming. Most dog owners are great about watching their dogs and make certain they behave. One thing to watch out for is the fence going into the water. It is short and a dog can easily swim around it. This place is FUN FUN FUN for the dogs and they love it. I give it four stars, would be five if not for the fence issue.

Beautiful lake. We had trouble finding a put in for the kayak. Limited parking. Plan ahead.

Nice park

This park would be wonderful besides the incredibly rude lady who goes to this park often. She wears glasses and acts like she owns the place. Always making rude expressions every time we come. Besides this the park is amazing.

Love this place its much cleaner than before really enjoyed the view

Perfect for parents with small children....a bit over life guarded for older kids. Great clean facilities.

Awesome place

Its absolutely gorgeous

Took a hot air balloon ride over here. It was pretty

Lovely park with walking trails around a lake, a dock, boat ramp, a swimming beach, and a full acre shaded dog park right on the lake.

My go to spot when my dog needs to get out some energy!

The panaromic view is awesome.

Med. size, easy access to kayak, fun.

Great dog park with trees and lots of space to run. There is even a place for dogs to swim.

Amazing park full of trails, picnic areas and the lake is so cool. Dont forget to bring cash for the fee, it is so worth it.

Great dog park that connects to trails for miles.

Very clean

This lake is heaven

Great space to hangout by the waters

Nice park, good trails, but a bit noisy due to being in the flight path for nearby Charlottesville airport.

Great place to take your pet!!

Nice and relaxing

Suitable for short walks outside. Ticks are likely.

Great place for family friends, and pets!

The beach is very clean

Very nice

Good place for bbq, fishing and hiking