A Weekend Trip to Lake Anna: What to Eat, Drink, See & Do

Get outta town!
…but seriously.

The weather’s warming up, vaccinations are rolling out, and we’re looking forward to safely traveling again ASAP.

If you’ve been itching to hit the road as much as we have, then you’re in luck! The Richmond Experience just added a brand new Travel section where we’ll be adding new content on a regular basis about the best road tripping destinations within driving distance of RVA.

First up on our list (mostly because my husband and I traveled there this past weekend) is Lake Anna! Read on to learn more about where to stay, what to do and see, the best of what to eat and drink in the area, and more in this weekend travel guide.

— by Alicia Valenski

Please follow all city, state, federal, and CDC guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before making plans, we recommend that you double-check each establishment’s website and/or social media channels to confirm their offerings.

Basic Info

Located in both Louisa and Spotsylvania counties (just over an hour from downtown Richmond), Lake Anna is one of Virginia's largest inland freshwater reservoirs, covering more than 13,000 acres in area.

The Lake Anna State Park and swimming beach are both major attractions for tourists to and from the Commonwealth.

You can check out the Lake Anna Visitor Guide for all kinds of useful info, from local farmers’ markets to historic attractions and beyond.

For details about boating, fishing, real estate, rentals, and beyond, the Lake Anna Visitor Center (not to be confused with the guide above) is your best bet.

You can also take a peek at the Lake Anna State Park website for details more specific to the park’s policies, during the pandemic and otherwise.

Where to Stay

Dragonfly Cove

Personally, we opted to stay in a lakefront home on the public side of Lake Anna in Mineral, VA which you can find on Airbnb here. This rental was located right on the water — and more specifically, on a deep-water cove with views that go on for miles. The water right off of the property’s private dock was 20 feet deep!

Per the listing, “There's an impressive boathouse with upper sun deck, storage, and a mini-fridge. The lower level has a sunning area and an outdoor shower, canoe, kayaks, paddleboard, water toys, and life jackets.” We were stunned at how gorgeous this spot was; I wish we could’ve stayed even longer!

Here are a few of the other Airbnb listings we were considering:

What to Do

Lake Anna State Park

Lake Anna has rental cabins, camping, more than 15 miles of hiking trails, picnicking, guarded lake swimming, playgrounds, a boat ramp, and a fishing pond — so basically, something for everyone!

On-site at the park, there are a few overnight stay options as well: camping, six camping cabins, four yurts, two six-bedroom lodges, and 10 two-bedroom cabins.

The park boasts 15+ miles of trails with a variety of options to hike, bike, and even go horseback riding. You can find the trail guide here.

Address: 6800 Lawyers Rd (Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA)

Lake Anna Swimming Beach

Swimming officially opens up for the season on Memorial Day weekend and closes for the season on Labor Day weekend each year. You'll find a snack bar (open daily from 10 am - 6 pm throughout the season) and a boathouse on-site at the swimming beach.

Beach umbrellas can be used for shade on the sand, but sun shelters cannot — sun shelters are only able to be used on the grassy area behind the beach, so come prepared.

Also worth noting: Day-use parking areas near the beach and picnic areas fill up quickly on peak summer days, and particularly on holidays. If the parking area fills up, the park will close the entrance to additional traffic until enough parking spots are vacated, be aware!

Address: 6800 Lawyers Rd (Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA)

Fishing on Lake Anna

According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, as a fishery Lake Anna is “very diverse” with “something for every angler’s taste,” including largemouth bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, white perch, and white catfish.

A number of private marinas, campgrounds, and the Lake Anna State Park offer boat-launching facilities. You can find a full list here.

Lake Anna Boardwalk

Boasting 500 feet of waterfront restaurants and retail, this mini-boardwalk is the perfect spot to hang out after a day at the lake. Pop into C&B Games to work toward the high scores on your favorite arcade games, play 18 holes at Boardwalk Miniature Golf, grab a bite at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant or Vito’s On The Lake, pick up souvenirs for friends and family at Wake Edger’s Gear & Gifts, and more.

Address: 200 Boardwalk Way (Mineral, VA)

Where to Eat

Where to Drink

Thank you to Sweetest Stitch for sponsoring this City Guide!

experiences, travel, family friendlyThe Richmond ExperienceMarch 29, 2021weekend, weekend trip, road trip, lake anna, getaway, travel, vacation

A Weekend Trip to Lake Anna: What to Eat, Drink, See & Do

Get outta town!
…but seriously.

Basic Info