Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural Area

Clean the Bay Day in Virginia Beach is the First Saturday of June.When my friend mentioned it, I didn't think that I would be picking up trash from a kayak!!!In the past, I've participated in Heal The Bay in Los Angeles. We were on the beach... Walking on solid ground... Collecting garbage.I imagined that it would be similar in Virginia Beach... No...If course not!I was with a Girl Scout Troop's Canoe Team. Hah! I had a hint that this would be different when I was asked to try on some water shoes. The big clue was the life jacket. Oh, boy...Then, I was prompted to get into the front seat of the two-person kayak. LOL!Well... It was an adventure for sure!Paddling on the lake... Through the lily pads, dragonflies, seaweed, swarms of flying bugs, andover branches and fallen trees...Hmmm...While avoiding tipping over, losing the paddle, and maneuvering the grabber to reach for the trash and placing it in the garbage bag in my seat area!We did find a couple of beer cans, newspaper, a foam food tray, and a piece of wood. Other canoes retrieved tires and a sink!This was a unique experience! Being part of the community and helping the environment with a noteworthy group is a priceless memory!P.S. We were supposed to meet at the shelter behind the children's playground at the parking lot. We didn't use the pier down the dirt road. Instead, we parked on the main street and launched our canoes and kayaks into the two lakes... on both sides of the street.

Not sure why this is my first check in here been coming here for a couple of years.I wonderful spot in the heart of Virginia Beach!Gorgeous nature tales !Plenty of fishing spots !Boat rampHandicap boat ramp as welLPlayground for the kids Covered picnic tables and grill areas They keep this whole area spotless !Great great place for dogs ! I've made a lot of new K9 friends and look forward to seeing them.Best place in the area for walks

It was a magical discovery. My sister & I drove into the area to see if a kayak could now be launched, after those many years of construction. I actually didn't know a nature preserve was being created. I thought it was some sort of storm water drainage project. Imagine my surprise at finding the Nature Preserve.I immediately went to Yelp and found a review detailing all the wonderful aspects of the Natural Area. How exciting!!My sister & I then drove around the area to try and find the high tech kayak launch. We were sure there must be another entrance where it would be featured prominently. The search ended up failing miserably since the launch turned out to be down a path off the main entrance. Turn from Northampton Boulevard onto Shell Road. The turn into Lake Smith/Lake Lawson National Area is immediately on the left. At the entrance you'll find the office with rest rooms, a picnic area, boat launch, fishing areas, a concrete trail to the playground, a trail to the kayak launch, and the beginning of trails that lead to much, much more.My sister decided to launch her kayak from the boat launch since we could back the car up to it. The glitzy kayak launch would have required dragging it down a path. But first, a Norfolk boat permit must be obtained. Although the Natural Area is in Virginia Beach, the City of Norfolk owns the waterways. And even a kayak requires a permit. A little research led to the fact that the permit could be obtained at the Bait & Tackle Store in the old Bi Lo building on Northampton Boulevard in Virginia Beach. Hmmm.....My sister now loves kayaking and walking the trails. Until a few days ago, because of months of illness and surgery, I had to sit on one of the many benches and commune with nature.My inaugural walk down the trails left me wanting more. I even plan to buy a fishing rod. Won't my Grandson love that!!Thank you City of Virginia Beach for building such a wonderful park for your citizens.

Review #190 - 2020My girlfriend lives within walking distance to parts of Lake Smith and it's so nice and relaxing.We've walked here at least once on each trip to Norfolk and I never get tired of its natural beauty.My daughter loves bringing left over bread & crackers to feed the turtles and the ducks, while I get to enjoy God's creations.My girlfriend and her husband comes here often to fish for fun, but they just catch and release. They actually dropped off a small carp when they first moved here and we've watched her grow bigger each year we return.I have to admit that I've considered the possibility of buying a property here just because it's so nice and quiet, but the long distance move would be too troublesome--so I guess I can still enjoy the best of both worlds as long as my girlfriend lives here.

This park is a little gem in the area. Great kayaking, hiking, and walking. I frequent this park because it is convenient to my home. Parking can sometimes be limited on the weekends when weather is nice. You can find additional parking at the kids playground on Shell Road. The is a nice pick-nick area and bathrooms.

Definitely a pretty lake. With lots of fishing and water spots. Only down side is it's always so busy! We watched a car circle so many times because there was no spots available. The new play grown is awesome but down fall is it's right in the sun and gets way to hot. Don't let your kids get burned.

This is a Beautiful Park thank you for the recommendation Anne! My girlfriend and I decided to go here for exercise and some fresh air and boy let me tell you... when you first park in the very small parking lot and start walking around you see several piers and paths to the lake where most people are fishing, paddle boarding or canoeing. However, once you begin to walk down any of the numerous paths it's like a whole new world in a magical forest! There are soft, wide trails that snake and maze around the lake and through the forest. Beautiful tall trees, wild vines, various scrubs and flowers. It's a complete Adventure as you come to forks in the path winding mysteriously in opposite directions and you wonder if you'll get lost but than there's a few people walking their dog or jogging so at least you know your not alone. I could go on and on about this wonderful park but it's just a Must see! I was there over an hour and still didn't get through the entire park. I will say there are no BBQ areas, 1 shelter, several benches and trash cans but no water fountain. You'll have to park across the street in a neighborhood of the 20 parking spots are full BUT if you're looking for a great scenery, long walk and adventure it's PERFECT!

the park is nice and pretty. But it's very hard to fish and you hardly caught anything and that if you chose a good spot. Your line will get caught in the trees that are in the water.

Virginia Beach Parks strikes again! If anyone ever ask why I like to reside at the beach I will say schools first, recreation including parks, beach and pools second.The city of Virginia Beach does a wonderful job of investment in their natural resources and many places in the country cannot say the same. Take Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural area as an example. Nothing had to be done here, but the city decided to invest major moola to make meaningful improvements and expand. Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural Area has been closed for almost a year so they could unveil this masterpiece today. So what can you do? Fish, boat, canoe, kayak, picnic trail walk, bike ride and take in some incredible views... oh that's all!For most of those reading this that have no idea, or may have driven past this area a million times and not paid attention let me help you with location. The public access is off of North Hampton not far from the Norfolk/Virginia Beach line. The water way is owned by Norfolk, so their was cross over involvement in the project I assume. Lake Smith is the water way that you see off the road. Lake Lawson is farther back and access is on trail, tiny cut thru for small boats, or the new steel bridge.Let's walk through the improvements and additions to this beautiful area. First improved parking, it's bigger and it's now paved. Plenty of room for trailer parking. The two lane boat ramp now has a concrete pad. The old dirt launch is closed off. A larger shelter with more picnic tables. A fishing deck with plenty of bench seating. This is visible from the road. Also visible from the road is the new canoe/kayak launch on a floating barge. There are other fishing decks located around the grounds. New is a playground that required a lot of major clearing of timber to install several hundred feet from the entrance on Shell Rd. Restrooms are still to come, but not installed to date.What makes me giddy are the improvement and extension of trails. Case in point the main trail that now crosses between Lake Smith and Lake Lawson. This use to be a pretty narrow path and now is a major walk way. A steel cross walk on both sides of the lake with small barge platforms was installed to pull a canoe, or kayak over. But I am saving the best for last. The huge improvement is the wood bridge installation that crosses the 5 foot wide, 4 foot deep span that separates the two lakes. Prior to this there was no access across unless you waded in the water. Small boats could get through and still can to this day underneath the structure. At one time this was not the case when a large circular tile was in this divide. I walked the entire trail network this morning and estimate it to be at least four, possibly five miles. Impressive were the amount of trash cans along the paths... Hint, hint...pick up your trash! I was stunned at what I could now see on the Lake Lawson side. A green of Cypress Point Country Club can be easily be viewed too. I was also amazed how close you get on foot to Diamond Springs Rd. The new Sajoy Farms development is visible on the path at the boundary of the park. If I can get on my soap box for a second. This new development is sad and I feel unneeded. Simon Houses Co. mowed down hundreds of acres of old growth trees to build Sajoy Farms Community. It is difficult to view, but you can also see the very old brick mansion, one of the largest homes in the area. I could not find out any more about this home today, but want to.It is well worth checking out Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural Area. When the leaves change soon it will be spectacular. Our Virginia Beach tax dollars paid for it and I think you will agree it's a special place to enjoy some clean fresh air and let your troubles be gone.

Started jogging with group of coworkers. About 2 years ago, this place was quite empty but now it is packed with people with dogs, joggers and of course there's plenty of folks fishing. We picked this location for some shades with no direct sunlight. The ground is not hard as asphalt and that makes easier on your feet and shin. Even when we get separated in the trail, it is not hard to find your way since the ground is not very big and plenty of spots to take breaks with beautiful scenery.