Trails

WELCOME TO HOLLIDAY LAKE STATE PARK. a chance you might have to get your feet wet. While it is rated difficult due to the length, most of the terrain is moderate to easy. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Self-pay parking information is available at the contact station. Northridge: .4 miles (hiking trail, moderate): Access is To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: EMERGENCY - For fire or medical emergencies, dial 911. For a law enforcement or critical maintenance issue, call 800-933-7275 and select the appropriate option. Due to the lack of cell service in the park, emergency phones are located at the contact station and boathouse. For more information, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or contact the park office. TRAIL INFORMATION DIFFICULTY SCALE EASY - From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically fewer than 100 feet and less than 10 percent of the trail length; easily accomplished by all users, including the elderly and those with physical or mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue. MODERATE - From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with little risk of injury or fatigue. DIFFICULT - Trail length is greater than 5 miles; more than 70 percent of the trail is on a grade; experienced hikers only or groups of three to five people recommended; there is a risk of overexertion or injury to those not conditioned. TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS Lakeshore: 6.5 miles (hiking trail, difficult): Access from multiple points, including the day use area (near boat ramp and near day use restroom), and campfire circle via Lakeshore Connector Trail. Our longest trail, it meanders around the lake and takes the hiker through a managed pine forest, around the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, through an old growth oak hickory forest, along wetlands, and across the dam. The highlight is halfway through you find yourself atop the 40-foot majestic dam built in the 1930’s. Other scenic vantage points include the Brennan Overlook, the Northridge Overlook, and the “Broken Bridge.” With several creek crossings, there is just west of the day use restroom. This short trail takes hikers on a hilly journey, through old growth forest and ultimately to the beautiful Northridge Overlook, where it intersects with Lakeshore Trail. From the overlook, you will have full view of the north end of the lake, including Holliday Creek. Educational signs inform you of what you might see in this area of the park. This trail is rated moderate because of a few steep areas. Dogwood Loop: .4 miles (hiking trail, easy): Access is between the campfire circle and butterfly garden, across from the Redbud Campground Bathhouse. This engaging loop follows old roads that used to carry travelers through the area, long before the lake was built. The hillsides are home to stunning native wildflowers that can be spectacular in spring. This is a great short hike for families with younger children. Saunders Creek: .1 mile (hiking trail, easy): Access is from the Redbud Campground (close to site 20), and connects with the Lakeshore Trail. Enjoy sitting on a bench as you listen to one of the four creeks that feeds Holliday Lake splash against the rocks. This short trail provides quick access from the campground to the beach area. S-Curve: .16 mile (hiking trail, easy): Access is from the Redbud Campground Bathhouse and it connects to Lakeshore Trail near the boat ramp. Keeping campers safe and off the road is easy with this trail that parallels the road leading to the beach. This trail provides the best view of an historic stone wall, created in the 1930’s during the building of what is now State Park Road. This trail is easy and suitable for strollers or wagons to carry necessities for a day at the beach. Northridge Connector: (hiking trail, easy): This connects Northridge Trail with Dogwood Loop. It’s great for folks who want to make a longer hike by combining these two family-friendly trails. Sunfish Aquatic: 1 mile: (boat trail, easy): A self-guided water adventure that requires a boat and a free brochure. The guide directs you to numbered posts along the edge of the lake, with a description in the brochure. You’ll learn about the lake and its environment as you paddle around the edges. Access is at our boat rental dock (boat rentals are available seasonally), but you can use your own boat too. Ask for a free brochure at the park office, contact station, or boathouse. Holliday Lake State Park TRAIL GUIDE VIRGINIA STATE PARKS ARE A TONIC FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. Museums, visitor centers and nearby historic sites make state parks cultural treasures. The recreational opportunities in state parks are endless and easy to see – from swimming and boating to horseshoes and hiking, there’s always something to do in a Virginia State Park. Laurel Ridge: .23 mile (hiking trail, moderate): Access is from Laurel Ridge Campground and it connects to Saunders Creek Trail. Another trail that provides our campers access to the beach and picnic area, this trail is wooded and very quiet. It is rated moderate because of the steep terrain. Lakeshore Connector: (hiking trail, moderate): This connector provides quick access to Lakeshore Trail for campers, especially those in the Redbud Campground. Access is at the Campfire Circle. While the terrain is steep, it is a very short section. 2759 State Park Rd. Appomattox, VA 24522 434-248-6308 hollidaylake@dcr.virginia.gov WWW.VIRGINIASTATEPARKS.GOV 800-933-PARK Holliday Lake State Park 2759 State Park Road, Appomattox, VA 24522 434-248-6308, hollidaylake@dcr.virginia.gov ¬ «rk Road 692 at St Campfire Circle Group Camp Site i m .5 Park Boundary ¬ « 728 Saunders Creek Trail 0.1 mi 4-H Camp Road T S-Curve Trail 0.16 mi Park Office Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center Butterfly Garden ke ay La il 0 Tr .4 m ai i l Blue White H Northridge Connector White Saunders Creek Orange 0.1 H S-Curve Olympic Blue 0.16 H Sunfish Aquatic N/A 1.0 BT Laurel Ridge Dark Green 0.23 H 10.2 H,B,E 3.0 H 0.4 Brennen Overlook H H ry Ca r te H = Hiking = Easy B = Biking E = Equestrian = Moderate = Difficult Bo rk Trout Pa Carter Taylor un da State Forest Trails BT = Boat 0 Miles 0.5 rT ay lor Tr ai l (S tat e Fo r es t) 10 .2 mi N Lakeshore Connector Northridge i H H m 0.4 6.5 3 t) Yellow Blue Northridge Overlook Holliday Lake Dam s re Fo Dogwood Loop Lakeshore Difficulty e Usage mi at mi Milage 5 St 6.5 Blaze 6. l( ke s ho re Northridge Connector ai Tr Hollid Tr a t ou Tr Swimming Beach No rt h r id ge il Restroom 614 Lakeshore Connector Dogwood Loop 0.4 mi La Sunfish Aquatic 1 mi. 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