Holliday Lake State Park

Carter Taylor Trail

The Carter Taylor Trail is a 12 mile, moderate difficulty, loop trail through the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest with about one-half mile of the trail passing through the state park. This popular trail takes hikers, bikers and horseback riders through a pleasant mix of scenery including a variety of forest and rolling fields. Portions of these woodlands were the route of General Lee's retreat during the final days of the Civil War. Hunting is permitted in the State Forest so visitors are advised to take precautions during the season.

Blaze Color: Red

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Dogwood Ridge Trail

The Dogwood Ridge Trail is a 0.7 mile, moderate loop that starts and ends at the trail head just northwest of the day use area. The trail is a liesurely walk through a hardwood forest of hickory, yellow poplar, red oak, beech and pine trees near the picnic area. This trail has a few more inclines to climb than others in the park but is still quite manageable.

Blaze Color: Yellow

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Lakeshore Nature Trail

The Lakeshore Nature Trail is a 6.3 mile, difficult hiking trail, that encircles most of Holliday Lake. This beautiful trail closely follows the lakeshore for most of its route. Accessible from the Saunders Creek Trail, the day use area and from the Northridge Trail, this trail passes through a loblolly pine plantation, hardwood forest, a variety of wetlands and past the Holliday Lake 4-H Educational Center. A series of wooden walks, stairways, and observation blinds add interest while easing navigation around some of the trails obstacles. To return to the trail head, hikers must pass through the 4-H Center.

Blaze Color: Blue

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Northridge Trail

The Northridge Trail is a .38 mile easy hiking trail that connects the picnic area, from near the restrooms, to the Lakeshore Trail. The trail winds through the woods, following the high ground with minimal changes in elevation.

Blaze Color: White

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Saunders Creek Trail

The Saunders Creek Trail is a .1 mile moderate difficulty trail that connects the campground to the day use area and the Lakeshore Trail. The trail passes through a wooded area and provides a quick access to the lake and beach area.

Blaze Color: Orange

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Sunfish Aquatic Trail

The Sunfish Trail is a one mile long self-guided aquatic trail. As one of the cleanest lakes in Virginia, Holliday Lake State Park is one of the few parks that offer such a unique small boat experience. The tour leads boaters around the western side of Holliday Lake and points out how plants and animals live in this picturesque community. Whether piloting your own boat or one of the park's rental craft, the ten stations will take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Stop at the park office for a copy of the guide to this interesting and unusual water trail.

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Amphitheater

A small, simple amphitheater is located near the Carter Taylor trailhead. It consists of a few benches around a platform. Call Park (434) 248-6308 for more details.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (434) 248-6308
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.9332 -78° 38.4233

Camping Area

The park has 30 campsites with electrical and water hookups. These are located in northern part of the park not far from the Carter-Taylor trailhead. Campsites offer picnic tables and outdoor grills. A full bathhouse with soda machine and a dump station for RVs is also located within the campground. 8 of the 30 campsites accommodate RVs up to 30' in length. The remaining 22 campsites are just right for smaller RV's, pop-ups, and tents.

• Season/Hours: March 1st to 1st Monday in December/Call Park (434) 248-6308
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.8950 -78° 38.5033

Picnic Area

The park offers lakeside picnicking near the swimming beach. Picnic facilities include tables, drinking water, grills and restrooms.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (434) 248-6308
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Picnic Shelter 1

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.Picnic shelters are available by reservation by calling the Reservation Center (1-800-933-PARK). Small shelters only.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.7116 -78° 38.3283

Picnic Shelter 2

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.Picnic shelters are available by reservation by calling the Reservation Center (1-800-933-PARK). Small shelters only.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.7049 -78° 38.3916

Boat Launch

The park offers a small boat launch and dock for people to launch their canoes, kayaks and jonboats. The park also rents canoes, kayaks, jonboats and paddleboats. Gas motors are not allowed on the lake but visitors are allowed to bring their own electric motors.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (434) 248-6308
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.6816 -78° 38.4366

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. 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. During the last two weeks of the season, the beach is open on weekends only and closed Monday through Friday.

• Season/Hours: Summer/Call Park (434) 248-6308
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.6522 -78° 38.3780

Camping Lodge (Bunkhouse)

Holliday Lake has one camping lodge (bunkhouse) for rent. The three-room trailer has seven bunk beds, a refrigerator, a microwave and coffeepot. Outside the lodge is a deck, a fire ring with cooking grate, a water spigot, and a small picnic shelter with two tables and an outdoor sink (sink availability is seasonal). Cooking and smoking are not permitted inside the lodge. Five vehicles are permitted with rental of the lodge; all other vehicles must pay the park's daily parking fee.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Check in: 3 P.M. Check Out: 10 A.M.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Boat Rental Area

The park rents canoes, kayaks, jonboats and paddleboats. You will find the rental area in the beach access area.(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)

• Season/Hours: See Summary/See Summary
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.6471 -78° 38.3268

Lake Fishing

The park offers fishing from the lakes shores or possibly from a boat. A valid Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. Some fish that the lake offers include largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish. A boat launch is available. Electric engines only. No gas-powered boats.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (434) 248-6308
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 23.6816 -78° 38.4366