Philpott Lake

About Philpott Lake

Philpott Lake is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is an irregularly shaped reservoir on the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia.

The lake was built in 1952 by the Army Corps of Engineers to dam the Smith River, and the reservoir is publicly owned. Philpott Lake provides flood protection, generates hydropower and provides outdoor recreation for thousands of visitors each year. There are no residential developments near the reservoirs or on the coast, but visitors have become repeat offenders.

Philpott Lake behaves similarly to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the United States, but with a much larger population.

Drinking in the countryside, enjoying the refreshing water and switching off everything is the main focus. Philpott's tents range from primitive to luxurious, but we camped on the lakeside, one of two pitches, one for adults and the other for children. The well-equipped campsite served as a base for our holiday, but offered no place to hang your heads.

A hiking trail winds through the campsite and provides access to a large Virginia hardwood forest with views of the river, lake and small stream, as well as the water.

Philpott, as he is known, had a wonderful programme helping young and old to understand everything about their lives. Nature lovers of all ages will be very excited to see the creatures living in this forest, which seems untouched by humans. Walk through the blooming trees to learn about PhilpOTT's black bears, which weigh up to 600 kilos, their beavers, also known as nature engineers, the black vultures and turkey vultures, which act as natural hygiene devices, and the white-nosed deer that find their home in the trees.

Hop on a ski, kayak, canoe, pontoon, speedboat or jet boat and explore the nearly 3,000 hectares of land that await you. If you have an appetite, pull out the picnic you have packed for the day and find the clear, cool water that awaits you when you are ready to go on the water. Slide on your water ski or drop the anchor at the place of your choice and dive into the water. The day is yours and you can explore PhilpOTT Lake and all its many attractions in all their glory and beauty with the help of park staff and volunteers.

Philpott Lake is a great destination for anglers who want to catch large and small mouth perches. The great mule can be fished from the main water of the lake as well as from a variety of small mouthfuls and other species.

The reservoir is stocked by the Virginia Department of Wild and Inland Fisheries with about 144,000 fingertips a year. The reservoir also has one of the better whale populations in Virginia, with a population of about 1,500 to 2,200 whales.

The cruciform stone is a mineral, Staurolite, which was formed during the ascent of the Appalachians under heat and pressure.

Adjacent Philpott Lake is bordered to the east and west by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachians, as well as the Shenandoah Valley.

Get to know the forests, wildlife and natural history of Virginia while relaxing and enjoying a peaceful vacation. The park offers a wide variety of hiking, biking, camping, fishing, hiking and camping opportunities. The picturesque view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley at Philpott Lake makes it a true escape into nature.