Description

Elevation: 1968 ft.

Todd Lake Recreation Area has a few more facilities than most of the sites along this loop, making it an ideal spot to pitch a tent or park the trailer. The park has a bathhouse and a beach where visitors can take a refreshing dip in the lake or just relax on the beach and watch the clouds pass by overhead. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound around the lake, which hosts a variety of waterfowl and wading birds. Be on the look out for great blue heron, wood duck, blue-winged teal, spotted sandpiper and belted kingfisher. Bald eagle and osprey may also drop in from time to time. The neighboring woodland is worth searching for Appalachian songbirds such as eastern wood-pewee, blue-headed and red-eyed vireos, wood thrush and the exquisite scarlet tanager. Check the lakeshore for dragonflies, especially eastern amberwing, widow skimmer and common green darner. Butterflies are more widespread and may include pipevine and eastern tiger swallowtails, silver-spotted skipper, red-spotted purple and great spangled fritillary.

Directions

Location: Leading Ridge Rd, West Augusta, VA 24485

Coordinates: 38.3653900, -79.2086799

From Harrisonburg, VA:  Travel south on State Route (SR) 42 passing through the town of Bridgewater.  Continue for 3.2 miles to the intersection of SR 42 and 809/747 (at sharp left-hand turn).  Turn right onto SR 809/747 and continue for 3.4 miles to a four-way stop sign in the town of Mt. Solon.  Continue straight on SR 747 (Freemason Run Road) for 2.3 miles to a three-way stop sign.  Continue straight on SR 747 (Freemason Run Road) for 1.0 miles to the intersection with SR 730 (Stokesville Road).  Continue straight on SR 730 (Stokesville Road) for 1.3 miles to the intersection with SR 730 (North River Road.  Continue straight on Route SR 718 (Stokesville Road) for 1.1 miles to the intersection of FR 95 and FR 101.  Turn left onto FR 95 and travel 3.1 miles to Todd Lake Recreation Area on the right.