Holliday Lake State Park

GENERAL INFO:

Park Type: State Park

Overall Size: Larger than a football field

Special Features/Comments: Deep in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, Holliday Lake is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Fishing for largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill is popular. Swimming at the park's guarded beach and the "Critter Hole" play area are visitor favorites. The park has several hiking trails, including a connector trail to the 10.2-mile Carter Taylor Multi-use Trail for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. Visitors enjoy its campgrounds, picnic shelters, playgrounds, seasonal concession stand, gift shop and boat ramp. The park rents canoes, kayaks, jon boats, stand-up paddleboards and paddle boats. Holliday Lake is just minutes from the famous Appomattox Court House National Historical Park where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in 1865 ending the American Civil War in Virginia.

GETTING THERE:

Parking

pDriving Directions: Access via State Route 24 between Appomattox and U.S. 60 and from Routes 626, 640 and 692. Approximately 12 miles from the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, four hours; Roanoke, two hours

Note: Visitors driving from Buckingham County via Route 636 may want to avoid Routes 614 and 640, which have gravel, and proceed west to Route 24.

ACTIVITIES/RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES:

Trails, Birdwatching, Fishing, Archery

AMENITIES:

General Park Amenities: Playground, Restrooms, Drinking Fountains, Picnic Tables, Grills

Playground Size: Medium

Playground Shade: Some

Playground Surface Type: Mulch

Swimming: Natural Area (lake, beach)

Pets: Allowed On-Leash

Additional Features: Gift Shop, Picnic Shelter, Bath House, Rental Equipment

Trash Cans: Yes

Food for Sale Type: Snack Shop

Camping: Tent, RV, Groups

Camping Amenities: Running Water, Fires Allowed, Fire Rings, Firewood Available, Campfire Circle, RV Hookups

TRAILS:

Trail Description: The park has seven hiking trails and one aquatic trail. Lakeshore Trail is a 6.3-mile hiking trail that loops around the lake and the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, passing through a hardwood forest, wetlands and managed pine plantation. Saunders Creek Trail provides access from the campground to the picnic area and is .1-mile in length. Dogwood Ridge Trail is a .7-mile loop that starts across from Redbud Campground. Northridge Trail is .4-miles and provides a ridge top walk from the picnic area toward the northern end of Holliday Lake and connects to Lakeshore Trail. The Laurel Ridge Trail runs from the Laurel Ridge Campground and connects to Saunders Creek Trail. The S-Curve Trail, which begins at Redbud Campground and ends at the picnic area, enables guests to stay off of the road while walking to the beach area. The Sunfish Aquatic Trail is a self-guided water adventure that requires a boat and free trail brochure. A brochure map and numbered stop's provide information about the lake and environment as you paddle around its edges. The trailhead for Carter Taylor Connector Trail is next to the amphitheater. The trail connects to a 10.2-mile loop in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest for hikers, bicycle riders and horseback riders. A State Forest Use Permit is required for bicyclists and equestrians using that trail.

Trail Activities: Walking, Hiking, Running/Jogging, Bicycling, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Dog Walking, Birdwatching

Trail Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, Difficult

Trail Layout: Loop & Linear (network)

Trail Length: Over 10 miles

Trail Shade: Some

Trail Width: 4-8 ft

Trail Extras: Panoramic Views

OTHER:

Programming Available: Education/Ranger Programs, Junior Ranger Programs

Park Information: Maps, Brochures

Staffing & Safety: Employee/Ranger Present, Ranger Patrol

Open Space Activities: Go for a walk or jog, Have a picnic

Open Space Size: Larger than one football field in size

Natural Water Feature: Pond/Lake