1. Burke Lake
Burke Lake is in Fairfax County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. The 218-acre lake is popular among anglers for its variety of fish: largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, bluegill, white perch and sunfish are just a few of the many types of fish you can catch here. The reservoir is the centerpiece of Burke Lake Park, which offers lots of entertainment for visiting families. In the warm-weather months, you can ride a carousel or miniature train, play mini-golf, stroll the 4.7-mile trail around the lake, take a boat tour or rent a fishing boat, a kayak, a rowboat or a canoe from the marina. Swimming and stand-up paddle boarding are not permitted in the lake. There are 100 wooded campsites here for tents or RVs up to 25 feet long; no electrical or water hookups are available. Otherwise, Embassy Suites by Hilton Springfield, offering free cooked-to-order breakfast, is 10 miles east.
2. Douthat Lake
About 100 miles west of Charlottesville, Douthat Lake is located within Douthat Lake State Park, a historic recreational area that families have flocked to since 1936. The 50-acre lake is stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout during fee season (the first Saturday of April to June 15 and again from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31), so it’s an especially good time for kids to toss a line with the fish biting. In the summer, fees and trout stocking are suspended. Travelers can traverse the more than 40 miles of hiking trails in the state park or enjoy the unguarded beach for swimming (open May through October). Cabins, lodges and campsites are available within the state park. Otherwise, the Red Lantern Inn, housed in a 100-year-old building in downtown Clifton Forge, offers casual accommodations.