Between Roanoke And Richmond Is Virginia's Largest State Forest And It's A Scenic Fishing And Boating Paradise

There are 26 state forests covering more than 75,000 acres of land spread across Virginia. That means it's always easy to escape into the woods in the Old Dominion. The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is both the largest and most centrally located. It's also home to numerous spots to go fishing and boating.

The Piedmont region is where the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west tumble toward the coastal plains in the east. That plateau contains foothills averaging 650 feet above sea level. In Appomattox and Buckingham Counties, large swaths of the plateau, once covered with pine and hardwood forests, were chopped down to create farms. But when they failed, the government stepped in to reclaim the land and regrow the forests. The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest was created in 1939 to protect and manage it in perpetuity.

The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest now covers more than 19,000 acres. In addition to the forest itself, watersheds and wildlife habitats are shielded from development. The state forest completely encircles both Slate River Reservoir and Holliday Lake, as well as Holliday Lake State Park. Despite its size, the state forest is easily accessible from both Richmond, a vibrant city known for its award-winning breweries, and Roanoke, a hub for craft brews, art, and mountain trails. It's about a 1.5-hour drive from either city.

The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is full of picturesque fishing spots. Near the state forest's northeast corner, you'll find Slate River Reservoir. It's a shallow, 38-acre, warm-water lake where channel catfish and largemouth bass are regularly caught.

Then, near the state forest's southern border, you'll find Holliday Lake. The artificial lake was created by building a dam on Holliday Creek in the 1930s. The deep lake now covers 145 acres and is a good spot to cast for crappie and largemouth bass. You have a chance of catching a sunfish or yellow perch here, too. If you're hoping to catch trout, you should fish on the creek instead of the lake, since it's stocked with brown and rainbow trout each year. Between October 1 and May 31, it's catch-and-release with artificial lures only.

To go fishing in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, adults (age 16 and older) must have a valid freshwater fishing license from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Since you'll be in a state forest, you'll also need to obtain a State Forest Use Permit — necessary for activities such as fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and mountain biking — from the Virginia Department of Forestry. You can buy licenses and use permits online ahead of your trip.

Slate River Reservoir and Holliday Lake are also idyllic spots to go boating in the forest. Slate River Reservoir has a gravel boat ramp near its southern tip. You can access the water with canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, plus boats that have electric motors. Since there are no other facilities and it's full of aquatic plants, the reservoir feels like a true oasis.

On the state forest's opposite side, Holliday Lake has a different vibe. Since the lake is in Holliday Lake State Park, there are more people and boats. The lake has a ramp for non-motorized boats. But even if you don't have your own vessel, you can seasonally rent everything from canoes and paddleboards to jon and pedal boats at the park. A beach, picnic area, hiking trails, and even a campground also make it a fun spot to hang out. There's a $7 parking and admission fee at the state park at the time of writing.

There's no cost to visit the rest of the state forest, which is open from dawn to dusk every day. Though it has three picnic shelters, it doesn't have bathrooms or trash cans, so plan to follow Leave No Trace principles. The closest airport is in Lynchburg, Virginia's college city in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) might be small, but you can fly there from three larger hubs around the country. From the airport, you then only have to drive 40 miles east to the forest.