Claytor Lake State Park Beach
Dublin, VA
Claytor Lake State Park's beach sits on a 21 mile long reservoir formed when Appalachian Power dammed the New River in 1939, land for the park itself purchased by local residents in Pulaski, Radford, and Blacksburg and donated to the state. At 4,472 acres, it's one of the larger lake beaches in the state park system.
A large, scenic reservoir beach with real boating infrastructure behind it, though the weekend boat traffic is a real tradeoff for anyone hoping for a quiet swim.
How we score beachesRent one of the park's own boats or pontoons if a full lake day, not just a beach afternoon, is the plan. The lake is big enough that a beach towel alone undersells it.
A day use fee applies at the gate, and the lot can fill by midday on a summer weekend given how popular the lake is for boating.
A short, level walk connects the main lot to the bathhouse and swimming beach.
Guarded swimming runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, and boat traffic on the lake runs heavy near the swimming area on summer weekends.
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