Have you been to Holliday Lake State Park lately? I hope you said yes, but if not, you really should plan a visit to the park soon.

The park is located in Appomattox and surrounded by the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest and serves as an outdoor oasis for anyone who ventures to the park. The park offers recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking/canoeing/stand-up paddle boarding, swimming as well as educational programs and special events.

Holliday Lake State Park has undergone several changes since last year and whether it’s your first visit or if you frequently visit the park, these positive changes are sure to enhance your visit.

New Park Manager

Alyssa Menard is the new park manager at Holliday Lake and has taken the reins since Ann Reeder, who previously held the position for almost 13 years, retired last year.

Menard comes to this position with an abundance of experience in the field, especially at other state parks and she has an undergrad degree in Bioinformatic/Biology. When she took a class in her senior year that required her to visit several local state parks, she decided she wanted to work in a park. After gaining some experience working in parks after school, she then went back for her Masters in Parks and Resource Management and graduated in 2014.

She applied to several conservation crews after learning about AmeriCorps and ended up joining the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps in 2015. *Please note that the VSCC program is being rebranded under the name Ranger Conservation Corps Program, and more details about that program will follow later as it rebuilds.

You may have seen her at other parks in previous years during her career. Menard served at Leesylvania State Park in resource management then spent some time in interpretation while serving at Belle Isle State Park. In 2017 she served one last time with the VSCC at Pocahontas. In 2018 she was hired as the chief ranger of law enforcement at Twin Lakes State Park then transferred to Belle Isle with the same title in 2020. The following year she was promoted to Assistant Park Manager at Twin Lakes State Park. In 2023 she transferred to Westmoreland State Park as the Assistant Manager and most recently was promoted to Park Manager at Holliday Lake in September 2024.

It is key to have staff and volunteers on hand to ensure the park operations run smoothly and there will be a lot of new faces at the park to work with Menard.

"I look forward to rebuilding," explained Menard. "Most of the full-time staff have retired or moved on over the past year or so, and I'm starting from scratch. Our office manager just started, and a chief ranger and a park ranger will join us soon. I look forward to the fresh perspective of folks that are mostly new to Virginia State Parks, and the changes they will inevitably bring."

Be sure to stop by the park office and say hello to her and the staff on your next visit. I assure you that you will be greeted by knowledgeable and friendly staff who will happily answer your questions and talk to you about the park.

Park Upgrades

There's been some pretty noticeable changes at the park office, which also serves as the gift shop. One change to the space includes the new floor installation. The old floor had noticeable wear and tear and needed to be upgraded. The staff rearranged the items in the shop and that managed to open up more floor space, and make more room for park animals Hisstofer the Corn Snake and Harold the Red Eared Slider.

These animals are relatively new to the park, and they serve as educational tools for everyday guests as staff host various programs that explain how these animals can impact the ecosystem. When guests are allowed a close-up experience with these animals, they get a first-hand look at how each one behaves. Even those who aren’t a big fan of snakes can experience how fun it can be to hold a corn snake. Red corn snakes are very common in Virginia, and they are not aggressive and are very unlikely to bite. They don’t produce venom or have fangs, so add in their relaxed temperament and this is why they are used at so many parks to make people more comfortable around snakes.

I encourage everyone to visit all the animals that are housed at a park as that is one of my favorite things to do when I visit each location. Another thing I do is pick up a souvenir from my trip. Holliday Lake’s office upgrades have not only opened up space for the animals, but for more merchandise and other things for guests to purchase.

Each park has unique merchandise that is customer for each park location. Staff are responsible for stocking and displaying these items, and Menard enjoys setting up the gift shop.

“I'm looking forward to bringing in new designs and merchandise options into the space as well,” said Menard. “I really enjoy trying to figure out what guests will be looking for each year, and it feels really special to pick or help create designs that resonate with guests and end up being the souvenir they choose to remember their visit.”

The office windows have been upgraded. The new windows provide better insulation as well as protect the building from too much sunlight exposure. This makes the staff, guests and animals more comfortable in the newly redesigned space.

A Variety of Programs

There are a variety of programs that help connect park guests to nature and like I mentioned earlier, the park animals are the stars of some of these programs.

Holliday Lake offers a program called Out to Lunch: With Hiss and Harold that showcases what each of these animals eat. You can join a ranger at the park office and learn more about the resident snake and turtle. Other programs that highlight the park include Backyard Bass, Crafts and Critters, Ask a Ranger, Seasonal Hikes and Caught up in Lake Life.

Holliday Lake is perfect for fishing, kayaking and canoeing whether you want to join a ranger-led program or have a solo adventure. The lake is ideal for catching largemouth bass and a freshwater license is required. Be sure to check out the Sunfish Aquatic Trail that is a self-guided water adventure that requires an electric trolling motorboat and a free trail brochure. The brochure map has numbered stops that provide information about the lake and environment as you paddle around its edges.

“The Friend's group is currently working on funding for an ADA kayak launch to allow for easier access to the water for all visitors,” said Menard. “If funding is secured, I'd like to see more visitors on the lake. This location could be a more accessible destination for paddling and fishing whether it's someone's first time or 100th time.”

The park offers overnight accommodations in a bunkhouse or through site-specific campsites. The Welcome Campfire program is very popular among guests as this provides a nice opportunity to meet fellow campers and enjoy a tasty s’mores treat.

Programming can vary by season and is based on staff availability and park resources so be sure to check the park web page before your visit.

For the full list of events at Holliday Lake State Park, visit the event page.

Plan your next visit 

Guests should visit Holliday Lake because it truly is a hidden gem nestled away in Central Virginia. The park beautifully highlights the colorful Virginia scenery, and you will see and hear a variety of birds and wildlife enjoying the area too.

If you want to stay at the park and see more in the area, check out my itinerary blog about the five parks in the Farmville area that can be enjoyed during a 5-day period. You can adjust the itinerary to fit your travel needs if you want a summer getaway or fall adventure, every season is beautiful at Holliday Lake. Be sure to check out the reservation system and plan your next visit today.