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Boating At Claytor Lake In Virginia

By AA-Boats & Boating Staff Writers

Claytor Lake, Virginia

Free Public Boating & Watersport Activities

Claytor Lake, situated in southwestern Virginia, is a charming reservoir surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Spanning over 4,500 acres, this pristine lake offers visitors a serene retreat with a variety of recreational activities to enjoy.

The area around Claytor Lake is filled with nearby attractions that cater to both nature lovers and history enthusiasts. The New River Trail State Park provides scenic hiking and biking trails along the New River, while Claytor Lake State Park offers opportunities for picnicking, camping, and wildlife observation. Additionally, the historic Claytor Lake Dam showcases engineering marvels and provides stunning vistas of the lake.

Boating is a favorite pastime at Claytor Lake, with its calm waters perfect for pontoon rides, fishing trips, and leisurely cruises. The lake's expansive surface area allows plenty of space for water sports, making it a favorite destination for jet skiing, water tubing, and wakeboarding.

A marina at Claytor Lake ensures convenient facilities for boaters, offering services like boat rentals, fuel stations, and boat repairs to ensure smooth sailing on the water. For visitors who prefer to rent boats, there are options available to explore the lake and enjoy a day of boating fun.

Numerous boat launch ramps are strategically positioned around the lake, making it easy for boaters to access the water with their vessels. These launch ramps provide hassle-free entry and exit points, ensuring a smooth and efficient boating experience.

The nearby city of Radford, Virginia, serves as a gateway to Claytor Lake and offers visitors access to amenities, dining options, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the charming downtown area, sample local cuisine, and enjoy a taste of the region's history.

The boating season at Claytor Lake typically spans from spring to fall when the weather is pleasant, providing ample opportunities for boaters and water sports enthusiasts to make the most of their time on the lake.

Fishing enthusiasts will delight in the diverse range of fish found in Claytor Lake, including largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. The lake's excellent fishing opportunities draw anglers seeking to catch the big one and enjoy a relaxing day on the water.

Camping options are available at Claytor Lake State Park. Camping allows visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the area, enjoying the beauty of the lake and the surrounding nature while spending the night under the stars.

Boating, camping and fishing.

In an ideal setting for boating, this mountain reservoir called Claytor Lake offers up camping, water sports and fishing. Several boat launch ramps, some for a small fee and some for free, are scattered around the lake. This is a 4,500-acre lake in the southwest part of the state, at Radford, VA. Anglers can explore over 60 miles of shoreline in search of bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, stripers, hybrid striped bass, perch, bluegill, white bass and sunfish. Some VA fishing guides offer guided bass, striper and crappie trips on Claytor Lake. Boat docks, trees and fish habitat are the primary cover for fish and baitfish.

Area Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Camping

Claytor Lake State Park Campground - 540 643-2500

Cedar Cove Campground - 540 674-8180

Covey's Family Campground - 540 674-5201

McGuire Family Campground - 540 674-5561

Fort Chiswell RV Park - 276 637-6868

Izaak Walton League Campground - 540 382-7063

Claytor Lake Map

Fishing

Fish species found in Claytor Lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch, striped bass and hybrid striped bass.

Largemouth bass Smallmouth bass Spotted bass Channel catfish Flathead catfish Black crappie Walleye Bluegill White Bass Yellow Bass Yellow Perch Striped bass Hybrid Striped Bass

Click here for a VA Fishing License.

Local Contact Information

Claytor Lake State Park
6620 Ben H. Bolen Dr
Dublin, VA 24084
540 643-2500

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