Lake Accotink
| Lake Accotink | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Lake Accotink | |
| Location |
Fairfax County, Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 38°47′35″N 77°13′06″W / 38.793169°N 77.218316°WCoordinates: 38°47′35″N 77°13′06″W / 38.793169°N 77.218316°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Accotink Creek |
| Primary outflows | Accotink Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Lake Accotink Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Springfield, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States |
| Area | 493-acre (2.00 km2) |
| Operated by | Fairfax County Park Authority |
| Status | Open all year |
| Website | Official site |
Lake Accotink is a reservoir in North Springfield in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Lake Accotink is formed by the damming of Accotink Creek. The lake is surrounded by Lake Accotink Park.
The lake
The lake is 55 acres, and the surrounding park is 493. The primary inflow and outflow is Accotink Creek, which is dammed on the south side, near a Norfolk Southern railway trestle. During 2010, the dam went under construction. Boat rentals had to be suspended during that time.
Recreation
The park has bikes, canoes, paddleboats, and rowboats available for rent. Visitors can also ride tour boats, or walk or run the 3.75 miles (6.04 km) trail loop around the lake. Other trails stretch beyond the park and connect to the Cross-County Trail, with its running trails and mountain biking trail. A miniature golf course surrounds an antique carousel near the south entrance to the park. Gas-powered motorboats are not allowed on the lake.
Services
At the snack bar/boathouse visitors can purchase chips, drinks, and other snacks. Pavilions can be reserved for parties or other special occasions. An antique carousel runs during the summer, and there are playgrounds near the pavilions. Close to the playground are picnic areas with grills. A wide range of summer camps are available during the summer.
Wildlife
Lake Accotink hosts a great variety of wildlife. Waterfowl such as great blue herons, ducks, and Canadian geese float on the water. Birds like seagulls, American robins, swifts, swallows, osprey, and occasionally bald eagles inhabit the park. Red foxes, white-tailed deer and beaver dams are common along the edges of the lake.