Here at Holliday Lake State Park, one of our most popular trails is The Lakeshore Trail. Folks love it because it circles Holliday Lake, takes you through wetlands, a managed pine forest, and right over the dam on a walk-way that is very unique.

There is a spot that you, our park guests, really enjoy and it's what we call The Broken Bridge. It's called this because it doesn't exactly go all the way across the lake. There are two bridges, one on each shore that don't quite meet in the middle. The story is that it used to go all the way across. Over the years, several hurricanes and flooding washed out parts of it and it was re-built a couple of times.

Finally, it was decided that a bridge was never really meant to go all the way across. So from then on, it has been known to park staff as "The Broken Bridge."

The section on the left (in this photo) had to be closed off for safety reasons.

In many of our Your Comments Count Surveys, our park guests have been asking us when we would be able to fix this problem. I'm happy to tell you that we have made the necessary repairs and the Broken Bridge is broken no longer!

Broken bridge is broken no more.

You can see all the new materials we used to repair it. The structure underneath is solid, but the boards of the steps and some of the decking had deteriorated over time. The steps are now safe and they also have that "new lumber" smell that we love so much. Doesn't it look inviting?

 With the cooler temperatures at night, the hint of fog on the lake each morning is a sure sign of Fall, and we love fall. You can see the "sister bridge" in the distance. This is a great spot for bird and wildlife watching. It's not uncommon to see on Osprey or even a Bald Eagle or two flying over the lake.

From this section of the Broken Bridge, you can get a really good look at the North end of Holliday Lake. Looking in the other direction you can look up Holliday Creek, the lake's namesake.

To get to this spot, you would park at our Amphitheater (or walk over from the campground) and walk to the Lakeshore Trail along the Lakeshore Connector Trail. When you get to where you can see the lake the Lakeshore Trail goes off in both directions, go to the left. You will come upon the steps to the Broken Bridge in about 1/4 mile. It's not too far to carry your fishing pole. This is a great spot to fish!

Holliday Lake State Park is located off Route 24 between Appomattox and U.S. 60 and from Routes 626, 640 and 692. For more information click here, or call the park office at 434-248-6308 or by email.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, four hours; Roanoke, two hours. Click here for a map.

This bridge is ready and waiting for your visit.