1. Lake Gaston
Lake Gaston is situated in southern Virginia, spanning about 35 miles (a large portion of which stretches across the border into North Carolina). It’s just east of John H. Kerr Reservoir. Boating, wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing are all popular recreational water activities travelers can enjoy at this lake. From Holly Grove Marina, you can launch your own boat or rent a pontoon boat or kayak. The marina also features a tackle store and a deli serving breakfast and sandwiches. Just across the water (and accessible via a road) is Lake Gaston Americas with 120 campsites accommodating tents to 45-foot RVs. Eight cabins each have two sets of bunk beds.
2. Lake Fairfax
Lake Fairfax Park is in northern Virginia about 20 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., offering lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation. On 18-acre Lake Fairfax, visitors can rent a kayak or pedal boat. While swimming isn’t allowed in the lake, you can splash around the Water Mine Family Swimming’ Hole, a water park with slides, water sprays and a lazy river. Lake Fairfax Park also features an old-fashioned carousel, a 15,000-square-foot skate park and wooded hiking trails. Stay close to all the action in the park’s campground with its 136 campsites. Otherwise, Homewood Suites by Hilton Reston is just outside the park.