Christopher Run Campground

RV camp at Christopher Run Campground to gain easy access to Lake Anna, one of the largest reservoirs in Virginia. Lake Anna has a surface area of about 13,000 acres, 9,000 of which is open to the public. The balance is privately owned and used by a power plant. Newcomers need not worry about venturing too far. The boundary of the privately-owned area is well marked with stone dikes. Boating and swimming on Lake Anna is a popular activity. Well over, 17 miles long from end to end, there’s plenty of room to zip up and down the coast in races toward an invisible finish line. Launch a sailboat and whiz by, carried by the wind. There are several “arms” and nooks into which boaters can retreat should they desire some quiet for an idle day of sunbathing, swimming, or fishing. There are about a dozen different fish that lurk beneath Lake Anna’s clear waters. Largemouth bass, bream, and crappie are especially good, and anglers report catching trophy-sized fish. Lake Anna State Park has a public boat launch, and there are several boat-rental services in the small towns alongside the shores of the lake. Nature lovers can also hit the trails at Lake Anna State Park. There are over 15 miles of trails, most of which are multi-use, shared with horseback riders and bikers. Heads up: horse owners must be able to produce a copy of a negative Coggins report for each horse if asked. Dozens of crystal-clear babbling streams and creeks feed into Lake Anna. This region was once known as “gold hill,” and even today, people occasionally find nuggets of gold. Panning is enjoyed by many, although it can be a frustrating activity if one’s expectations are too high. Lake Anna State Park runs a regular how-to panning program for anyone who wishes to pick up tips from the experts.