GENERAL INFO: Deep in the heart of Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, Holliday Lake State Park is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Fishing for largemouth bass, yellow perch, crappie and bluegill is a popular activity in the 150-acre lake within the park. The nearby state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries delayed-harvest trout stream allows anglers to fish for brown and rainbow trout. The park also features excellent trails open to hikers, bikers and equestrians. Swimming is a popular summer activity at the park's life-guarded beach where the "Critter Hole" play area is a favorite of young visitors. Park facilities include a 30-site campground, a large shaded picnic area, two picnic shelters, two playgrounds, a boat ramp, a seasonal full-service concession stand, a camp store, and canoe, rowboat and paddle boat rentals. Interpretive and environmental education programs also are available for school and scout groups. This park is just minutes from the famous Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, the site of General Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant in 1865.

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

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

Click here for a Google map.

PARK MAP: Here's a map of the park (PDF). You'll need a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the map.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Camping and camping lodge. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.

Cabins: None.

Camping:

• Each site has a grill, lantern post and picnic table. The grill can be raised, allowing an open campfire. All fires must be contained within this space.
• Firewood is for sale; bring kindling and starter log.
• Two vehicles are allowed per site. A parking fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must be parked near the restroom or in a field across from the campground.
• Guests visiting campers must leave by 10 p.m. and pay parking fees. They may, however, stay overnight if the 6-person limit per site is not exceeded.
• Boat launching and swimming are free for overnight campers.
• All sites have water and 30-amp service.

REWA (Electric and Water) - Various equipment up to 30 feet; bath house with hot water nearby: eight sites.

POEW (Electric and Water, Tents and Pop-ups only) - Bath house with hot water nearby: 22 sites.

Total sites of each type: REWA, 8; POEW, 22

SWIMMING: Beach area. Open during the summer season, the swimming beach is complete with a bathhouse and concession operation featuring a  range of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Camping, fishing and beach supplies are available at the park store. Click here for park fees. In the summer, swimming is free for overnight guests in campsites, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances. Late summer schedule: During late August and beyond, the beach and concession area are closed on weekdays and open on weekends and Labor Day weekend. If your stay depends on such swimming, please contact the park beforehand for details.

TRAILS: The park has five hiking trails and one aquatic trail. Lakeshore Trail is a 6.3-mile hiking trail that loops around the lake and the Holliday 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 just above the park's picnic area. Northridge Trail is .4-miles and provides a ridge top walk from the picnic area to the northern end of Holliday Lake and hooks up with the Lakeshore Trail. 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 or peddle around its edges. A trailhead for the Carter Taylor can also be found in the park. This trail is a 12-mile loop in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest for hikers, bicycle riders and horseback riders.

FISHING, BOATING: Fishing available with valid Virginia fishing license. Licenses are sold at the park. Boat Launching is available; electric motors only. No gas-powered boats.

Boat Rentals: (1st weekend April through last weekend September, weather permitting). Weekends only prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Daily Memorial Day-Labor Day 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; (half day and full day rentals available): rowboats, canoes, paddleboats and sit-on-top kayaks.

HUNTING: None.

HORSES: None.

PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: Visit to learn about the park's plants, animals and history. The park staff there also will gladly answer your questions.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs. Canoe tours, conducted hikes, campfire programs, environmental programs, specialty workshops.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

• County of Appomattox
• Appomattox National Historical Park (Civil War)
• Fred's Car Museum (Antiques)
• Clover Hill Village (restored historical village
• Bear Creek Lake State Park
• James River State Park
• Twin Lakes State Park

PICNIC SHELTERS: The park offers lakeside picnicking near the swimming beach. Picnic facilities include tables, drinking water, grills and restrooms. Picnic shelters are available by reservation by calling the Reservation Center (1-800-933-PARK). Small shelters only.

Two shelters are available for rent. Parking and swimming fees are not included in shelter rental. Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day).

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

Amenities: Both shelters have grill, picnic tables and access to restroom.

Shelter 1:

• Located adjacent to the edge of the lake, near restroom.
• Shelter can accommodate 25 people under the shelter. Seating for an additional 25 people is available around shelter.

Shelter 2:

• Near swimming beach.
• Shelter can accommodate 36 people under the shelter. Seating for an additional 25+ people is available around the shelter.
• Wooden ramp for wheelchair access into shelter.

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Campground: No designated handicap accessible sites, but the park can, on request, arrange to place those with disabilities near the restrooms. Roadways are paved and sidewalks to restroom are paved.
• Restroom: Accessible toilet and shower in each. Doors to building are not automatic, and space inside is tight but manageable by wheelchair.
• Picnic area: Restroom has elevated toilet, but the stall area does not meet wheelchair access size. Doors are not automatic and difficult to open from within. There are paved sidewalks to the building. Several wheelchair height picnic tables are scattered throughout the area, and the ground is fairly even in most places. There's a ramp for wheelchair access into shelter 2.
• Concession/swimming beach: Concession restrooms are large and open. The toilet is elevated, but space within the stall is inadequate for turning. There's a handicapped accessible shower with seat in each restroom. Handicapped parking is available by building and paved sidewalks for access. Paved walkways lead to the fishing pier, beach, accessible playgrounds and food service window. Porta-flooring is available for use upon request to access other areas of the beach and picnic area.
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

SPECIAL FEATURES: None.

CONCESSIONS: Operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Concessions include snack bar, beach swimming, campstore and boat rentals. Hours are subject to change.

LAUNDRY: Closest laundromat is 20 minutes from the park.

RESTAURANT: None.

HISTORY: The area encompassing Holliday Lake State Park and the surrounding state forest was cleared in the 1800s for farmland. In the 1930s the federal government, through the Resettlement Administration, began buying the farms to return the land to its former productive hardwood forest state. Construction of a dam was begun at Fish Pond Creek, then relocated to Holliday Creek where a lake could be developed. Traces of family cemeteries can still be found in the area. After Holliday Lake was completed in 1938, the Commonwealth of Virginia, through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, took over the management of the new day-use recreational area. In 1972, with the addition of campgrounds, the area became a state park.