SHERANDO LAKE – As the summer heat settles in and the kids get antsy, you might struggle to find a one-stop outdoor destination where everyone can expend some energy and keep cool. Have you considered Sherando Lake Recreation Area? There you can take a short hike around the Lower and Upper Sherando Lakes and Cliff Trails or commit to a day hike on the Torry Ridge Trail. If hiking is not your troop’s style, fishing and boating are an option outside the designated swimming area of the lake. (There is no vehicle launch access, so boats need to be hand carried from a vehicle to the launch area.) If neither hiking nor fishing tops your list, head right to the cool-off point—Lower Sherando Lake. The springs of the North Fork of Back Creek and Williams Branch feed into the lake, so the water is sure to be cool. When you’ve worked up an appetite, grab your picnic and head to the sandy beach or shaded, woody areas nearby. Want to extend your stay? Campsites between the lakes nestled in the shadows of Torry Ridge are available for a fee. The Sherando Lake Recreational Area is open to campers through the end of October. It is rumored to be the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so grab some friends and family and experience the natural brilliance for yourself!
Photo credit: Lower Sherando Lake (photo link)
