Lake Anna VA Real Estate & Lifestyle

press play below

Exclusive Lake Anna Docu-Series

Most real estate websites use generic photos and stock clips from places that aren’t even close to Lake Anna. Ours doesn’t. Everything you see here is real footage, real homes, and real Lake Anna. PRESS PLAY ON THE IMAGES BELOW NOW!

Your Complete Guide to Real Estate at Lake Anna

A Modern Man-Made Lake with a Big Purpose

In 1968, Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) purchased more than 18,000 acres to build the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant. To support cooling operations, engineers created what is now Lake Anna — a massive freshwater lake formed by damming the North Anna River. Construction began in 1972, and today Lake Anna stands as one of Virginia’s largest inland lakes and one of its fastest-growing real estate markets.

About Lake Anna

Lake Anna is one of the largest freshwater inland lakes in all of Virginia. Getting to the lake is an easy commute from Northern Virginia and other areas such as Fredericksburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Culpeper and is one of the fastest growing destinations for lake homes and lake vacation destinations. Real estate at Lake Anna is growing, and many are making the move to Lake Anna.
Two sides of the Lake

Lake Anna is divided into two separate bodies of water, called the public and private sides. The public side is open to the general public who may use and access the public side of the lake through the marinas or the Lake Anna State Park. However, on the private side the use of this side is limited only to property owners and their lucky guests. This results in more traffic on the water on the public side and less traffic on the water on the private side.
Size of the lake

It is approximately 17 miles in length, has about 200 miles of shoreline and covers roughly 13,000 acres.

Water temperature

You may hear others referring to Lake Anna as “the cold side or the hot side.” These nicknames are attributed to the well known differences in the water temperatures. The public side is also known as the “cold side” as the water temperatures are slightly cooler than the private side. The private side is also known as the “hot side / warm side” as the temperatures here are noticeably warmer than the public side. Reports suggest the water on the public side can range from 7-14 degrees cooler than the water on the private side. Keep in mind that this varies based on season, month and other factors.

Reports show the summer month’s water temperature at Lake Anna tends to be in the 80 degrees on the cold side of the lake and 90 degrees on the warm side of the lake.

Things To Do at Lake Anna

Lake Anna is a year-round destination with activities for every lifestyle.

Water Activities:
Boating, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, tubing, islands, beaches, Lake Anna State Park.

Rentals:
Jet skis, boats, kayaks, paddle boards, vacation homes.

Dining & Drinks:
On-lake restaurants (public side), breweries, taprooms, live music venues, wineries.

Adventure & Exploration:
Historic sites, nearby theme parks, scenic trails, golf (mini golf and full courses), marinas.

Outdoor Lifestyle:
Hiking, biking, running, barbecues, sunset cruising, sandbars, nature watching.

Accommodations:
Campsites, RV sites, short-term rentals, cabins, lake homes, boutique stays.

Swimming at Lake Anna

Swimming and boating are widely enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Water quality resources are available from Dominion Energy and the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA).
As Lake Anna homeowners ourselves, we actively swim and boat here and stay informed about seasonal updates.

Commercial Activity on the Lake

• Allowed on the Public Side — marinas, on-water restaurants, fuel, rentals.
• Not allowed on the Private Side — no marinas, no waterfront dining, no fuel stations.

Private side owners bring fuel cans to their dock or haul the boat to a road-accessible station.

County Lines & Tax Rates

Lake Anna spans three counties:

• Louisa County — tax rate approx. $0.72 per $100
• Spotsylvania County — approx. $0.77 per $100
• Orange County — approx. $0.61 per $100

(Always check current year’s rates.)

Lake Anna Real Estate: Waterfront vs Water Access

Waterfront Homes

Waterfront homes sit directly on the shoreline and are in the highest demand. Prices typically start around $800,000 and range into the $2M+ level, with elite estates reaching $3M–$5M+. Value is driven by shoreline length, water depth, cove vs main lake location, boathouse eligibility, size of the view, the home’s age, style, and level of renovation, plus land improvements and amenities. The bigger the view, the deeper the water, and the higher-end the home, the more premium the price.

Water Access Homes

Water access homes are near the lake but do not touch the shoreline. They are usually in HOA communities that offer shared amenities such as boat ramps, slips, docks, picnic areas, beaches, kayak racks, pools, and courts. Values typically range from about $300,000 to $900,000, depending on the home’s size, updates, location, boat slip rights, and the quality of the community amenities.

Subdivisions & HOAs

There are over 150 subdivisions around Lake Anna. HOA dues typically range from $100–$600 annually depending on amenities. Some properties are outside HOAs entirely — ideal for buyers seeking fewer restrictions.

Vacant Land

Buyers can purchase waterfront or water access land to build custom homes. Typical ranges: • Waterfront lots: $275,000–$700,000+ • Water access lots: $30,000–$150,000 Soil studies, well/septic installation, and Dominion shoreline rules all apply.

New Construction at Lake Anna

Local and regional builders specialize in waterfront and lake-access homes. Buyers may choose: custom builds, “to-be-built” listings, and builder-owned lots with pre-approved plans. We maintain direct communication with reputable builders to match clients with the right product, timeline, and budget.

Dominion Easements & Shoreline Structures

All waterfront properties have a Dominion Energy easement at the shoreline.
With approval, owners may build:
• boathouses
• docks
• bulkheads (wood, concrete, or rip-rap)

Guidelines ensure water safety and shoreline preservation.

Utilities: Wells, Septic & Internet

• Most homes rely on private wells and septic systems
• A few communities have community or public systems
• Internet options include: Starlink, Firefly, iWisp, Comcast, Viasat, FiberLync, and Verizon (availability varies by neighborhood)

Why People Love Living at Lake Anna

Lake Anna is more than a location — it’s a lifestyle.
A place to unwind, explore, gather, and build memories.
A destination for families, retirees, investors, and outdoor enthusiasts.

When buying or selling here, local knowledge isn’t optional — it is essential.

Work With The Lake’s Most Trusted Local Experts

Buying or selling real estate at Lake Anna requires a team that knows the lake, the rules, the communities, and the unique factors that influence value.
At The M Group Real Estate, we represent more lakefront and lake-access clients each year because we treat real estate as a strategy, not a transaction.

We help you from exploration to closing — and beyond.

If you want agents who know the lake, the market, and how to position you to win, choosing us is the easiest next step.

ALL THINGS LAKE ANNA

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO

Exclusive Insider's Guide to Lake Anna: Get Your Must-Know Places to Go and Things to Do Now!

DIGITAL. DOWNLOADABLE. PRINTABLE. SHAREABLE.

SENT DIRECTLY TO THE EMAIL YOU PROVIDE.

There's no catch. Simply put in your information below to get this critical MUST KNOW places to go and things to do at Lake Anna.

Middle Name

I agree to be contacted by The M Group via call, email, and text for real estate services. To opt out, you can reply 'stop' at any time or reply 'help' for assistance. You can also click the unsubscribe link in the emails. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Privacy Policy.