Description
Elevation: 548 ft.
Lake Albemarle is a moderate-sized lake that is probably most popular among local anglers. Hardwood forests with scattered pines surround much of the lake, with some marshy edges that attract a great deal of wildlife. This site’s most spectacular birding occurs in the fall and winter for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. In the winter, look for bufflehead and hooded merganser. During migration, you may also find an osprey or even a bald eagle. In the summer, resident wood duck hide in coves, while green heron and belted kingfisher hunt from water’s edge. River otter are likely to take residence in these waters, as well. Dragonflies such as slaty and widow skimmers, common green darner, prince baskettail, and eastern amberwings patrol the lake. Blue-ringed and powdered dancers as well as other damselflies lurk in the weedy grasses along the banks.
Notes:
- To access the site, a Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
- Please be mindful of the property lines while exploring Lake Albemarle; adjacent properties are privately owned.
Wildlife Sightings
121 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Albemarle:
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
- Black Vulture
- Turkey Vulture
- Cooper's Hawk
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Pileated Woodpecker
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Feb 2026 | 39 | Tracey Hopper |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 39 | Thomas Wyatt |
| 14 Dec 2025 | 9 | Callan Bentley |
| 13 Sep 2025 | 19 | JoAnn Dalley |
| 26 Aug 2025 | 16 | Charlotte Lomax |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Boat Ramp
- Birdability Report Available
Accessibility Considerations
This location has a Birdability Site Review available
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Location: Albemarle Lake Rd/ Rt. 675, White Hall, VA 22901
From Charlottesville, travel west on Barracks Road. Barracks Road becomes Garth Road/Rt. 614. Continue on Garth Road to Albemarle Lake Road/ Rt. 675, approximately 0.5 miles before the town of White Hall. Look for a “PUBLIC FISHING LAKE” sign at the intersection of Albemarle Lake Road; turn left and follow the signs to the lake.
From the Route 240/250 junction near Crozet, take Route 680 and 810 to White Hall, then east on Route 614. Turn right on Route 675 to the lake.
Site Information
Managed By:
- VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources
Access Requirements:
- Daily. Restore the Wild Membership, hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
Contact Information:
- Virginia DWR Region 4 Office: 540-248-9360; Contact Us
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.