Hiking at Lake Anna State Park
(540) 854-5503
6800 Lawyers Road
Spotsylvania, VA 22551
Latitude: 38.118281
Longitude: -77.819955
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Big Woods Trail
The Big Woods Trail is named for the area known as 'Big Woods' during the 1900s. This trail passes through dense hardwood forest where the area's prime timber was frequently logged. The last logging operations were done here in the 1950s, so much of what you see today is 'new' growth timber. This moderate difficulty, 1.2 mile multi-use trail, is a connector between the Glenora and Turkey Run trails. There are some changes in elevation that may present a challenge for bikers and hikers. This trail passes by a small cove where observant users may spot signs of beaver activity.
Blaze Color: Silver
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- Length: 1.2
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Cedar Run Trail
The Cedar Run Trail is an easy .8 mile multi-use trail that is a short loop off of the Turkey Run Trail. The trail is also accessible from the Big Woods Trail. While cedars may be seen along this trail, pawpaw, holly, tulip poplar, sweetgum and wild blueberry plants are all represented. The trail runs mainly through wooded areas, however the greatest reward is the view of Lake Anna near the midpoint of the trail.
Blaze Color: White
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- Length: 0.9
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Fisherman's Trail
Fisherman's is a .9 mile, easy hiking trail that connects picnic areas A and B. The trail meanders through hardwood forest along the lake, frequently coming right to the water's edge in shallow coves where waterfowl and the occasional beaver may be seen, particularly at sunrise or sunset. As its name suggests, this trail is ideal for the sportsman looking for a shady spot to cast a line.
Blaze Color: Orange
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- Length: 0.8
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Gravel
Glenora Trail
The Glenora Trail is a 1.1 mile, easy trail, that is the southern extension of the Sawtooth Trail. The trail is also accessible from the Big Woods Trail. This multi-use trail passes through majestic hardwood forest of oak and maple alongside green meadows with views of Lake Anna. The Glenora Trail leads to a site once known as Pigeon Plantation, a 3,000 acre enterprise named for Pigeon Run, a small stream that bordered the property. The estate was named Glenora following the Civil War and was a popular place for wealthy Southern aristocrats to gather and socialize. The original smokehouse built in 1832 remains on the site. The trail continues south until it reaches the lake.
Blaze Color: Green
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- Length: 1.1
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Gold Hill Trail
The Gold Hill Trail is a 3.1 mile, moderate difficulty, multi-use loop that is accessible from the Pigeon Run trail. The trail passes through wooded areas and follows a cleared power company right-of-way over a series of rolling hills. This trail is located in the north of the park and is a wonderful destination for those seeking peace, quiet, and solitude. Observant visitors will spot evidence of placer and shaft mining along the trail. Mining activity here earned this part of the park the name 'Gold Hill' during the late 1800s. This trail accesses a marked side path that branches off of the northern leg to an abandoned gold mine. Due to safety concerns and potential mine shaft collapse access to this leg is prohibited.
Blaze Color: Black
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- Length: 3.1
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Grass, Earth
Mill Pond Trail
The Mill Pond Trail is a .9 mile, easy multi-use trail that is accessible from the trail head parking and the Pigeon Run Trail. The trail passes through wooded areas and then arrives at a brief clearing. From the clearing, the trail is open only to hikers, others must continue on the Pigeon Run Trail or return to the parking area. The Mill Pond Trail continues on to the site of Hailey's Mill, a gristmill that stood alongside Pigeon Run from 1857 until June 1889, when it was destroyed by a the same storm that caused the infamous Johnstown Flood. Today one can see remnants of the mill dam that once extended from the bank near the trail to the opposite side of Pigeon Run.
Blaze Color: Blue
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- Length: 0.8
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Old Pond Trail
The Old Pond Trail is a .2 mile, handicap accessible trail that loops around the fishing pond near the Visitor Center. The trail is accessible both near picnic shelter 1 and the covered handicap accessible fishing dock. This is an interpretive trail that is supplemented by a guide published by the Friends of Lake Anna State Park. Copies of the guide are available from the Visitor Center or the park office.
Blaze Color: Blue
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- Length: 0.3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Paved
Pigeon Run Trail
The Pigeon Run Trail is a 1.5 mile, moderate difficulty multi-use trail, that is accessible from the park office, the Sawtooth Trail, and the Mill Pond Trail. The trail follows the main park road, then through the woods, until emerging along the northern part of Pigeon Run. Some parts of this trail are steep and may be challenging for horses and bikes, earning this trail a moderate difficulty rating. The stream known as Pigeon Run was named for the many passenger pigeons that once inhabited the area but are now extinct.
Blaze Color: Purple
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- Length: 1.5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Grass, Earth
Railroad Ford Trail
The Railroad Ford Trail is a 1.5 mile, easy, hiking trail that follows an abandoned railroad grade through areas of hardwood forest to the end of a peninsula with outstanding views of Lake Anna. The railroad was originally built here in 1916 to carry lead and zinc ore from the nearby mines for use in ammunition during World War I, interpretive signs provide interesting information on this unique aspect of the area's history. The trail loops back along the edge of Lake Anna and is accessible from the Old Pond Trail and the camping area.
Blaze Color: Red
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- Length: 1.5
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Sawtooth Trail
The Sawtooth Trail is a 2.5 mile, easy trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It is accessible from the trail head parking lot, the park office, and from the camping area. The trail connects to the Pigeon Run Trail and the Glenora Trail. Running north-south though the central portion of the park, the trail passes through forested areas where users may see deer, squirrels, and a variety of flora and fauna. Along the trail you may spot the remains of a well built to supply water to a steam powered sawmill erected nearby. The sawmill was one of many that moved here to harvest the abundant timber of the area once known as 'The Big Woods.'
Blaze Color: Tan
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- Length: 2.5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Turkey Run Trail
Turkey Run is a 1.2 mile easy/moderate trail that is mainly multi-use. It is accessible at the trailhead parking, at either end of the Cedar Run and at the Big Woods Trail. South of the Big Woods Trail access Turkey Run is for hikers only. This small section of the trail leads hikers to the chimney and ruins of what used to be the Taylor home.
Blaze Color: Yellow
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- Length: 1.2
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Other Activities At Lake Anna State Park: Biking, Boating and Water Sports, Camping, Educational Activities, Fishing, Gifts and Shopping, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Picnicking, Swimming, Wildlife Activities and Canoeing and Kayaking
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