Tucked into the mountains just above Bryce Resort, Lake Laura is one of our favorite summer stops in the Shenandoah Valley. It is a calm, 44-acre lake with a grassy beach, non-motorized boating, easy paddling, and a shady loop trail that wraps all the way around the water.
At Blue Maple, we send guests to Lake Laura all season long. It is the kind of place where you can spend a full day floating on a tube, splashing at the beach, and paddling a canoe without ever feeling rushed. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before you go, from hours and fees to insider tips for swimming and canoeing at Lake Laura in Basye, VA.
Lake Laura at a Glance
Lake Laura sits in southwestern Shenandoah County, just above Bryce Resort in Basye, Virginia. The lake was created by a dam on the headwaters of Big Stony Creek and covers about 44 acres, with a maximum depth of roughly 30 feet.
A few quick facts to set expectations:
- Where: Basye, VA, minutes above the base of Bryce Resort
- Owned by: Bryce Mountain Resort (open to the public, not members-only)
- Season: Beach and rental operations run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
- Trail: A 3-mile loop trail wraps the lake and is open year-round
- Motors: Non-motorized boats only, electric trolling motors allowed, no gasoline engines
The lake is small enough to feel intimate but big enough to spend a whole afternoon exploring by kayak or canoe. Families love it because the water is calm, the shoreline is close, and there is no fast boat traffic.
💡 Local tip: The lake and trail are technically owned by Bryce Resort, but the day-use fee gives anyone from the public access to the beach and rentals. You do not need to be a resort guest.
Learn more about Lake Laura on Google Maps
Getting In: Hours, Fees, and Access
The main access point for swimming and rentals is the Lake Laura Beach Area at the lower end of the lake, run by Bryce Resort. This is where the beach shack, the picnic tables, the lounge chairs, and the boat rentals all live.
Daily fees
- Adults and kids: $10 per person, per day
- Bryce Resort members: free
- Children 3 and under: free
Typical summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Last boat rental: goes out 1 hour and 15 minutes before closing
Hours can shift slightly from year to year, so we always tell guests to call ahead if they are planning a tight schedule.
Access points
There are three ways in, depending on what you want to do:
- Beach area (lower end): for swimming, rentals, snacks, and lounging
- Boat launch (southern end): for launching your own canoe or kayak
- Dam parking lot (northern end): for hiking the loop and shoreline fishing
Swimming at Lake Laura
The swim area sits along a private grassy beach at the lower end of the lake, fenced off with lake access, lounge chairs, and a handful of picnic tables. It is more of a mountain swimming hole than a resort pool, and that is exactly why we love it.
The water is calm and clear. You can wade in slowly with little kids or swim out and float on a tube for an hour. The Lake Laura Beach Shack sits right on the sand and sells snacks, soft drinks, and a few extras like life jackets and pool noodles.
What to know before you swim
- No lifeguard on duty, so parents need to keep close eyes on kids
- Anyone under 16 must be with a parent or guardian
- No pets, alcohol, grills, or smoking in the beach area
- Restrooms at the beach are porta-potties, not a full bathhouse
Guests who reviewed the lake on Google consistently describe it as a “sweet little lake” that is “good for swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just floating.” One recent visitor summed it up as a great family spot, especially for a low-key afternoon in the sun.
💡 Good to know: Bring your own float, tube, or raft if you have one. You are welcome to bring your own water toys, and the beach shack also has tubes to rent for $10 per day.
Directions to the Lake Laura beach on Google Maps
Canoeing and Paddling at Lake Laura
Because Lake Laura is non-motorized (electric motors only, no gas engines), the water stays calm and glassy most of the day. That makes it a great spot for canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, especially if you are new to paddling or you have kids.
You have two easy ways to get on the water: rent from the beach shack, or bring your own boat and use the public boat launch at the southern end of the lake.
Rentals at the Lake Laura Beach Shack
Rentals are handled directly at the beach shack during the beach’s summer hours:
- Canoe: $20 per hour
- Kayak (sit-on-top): $20 per hour
- Stand-up paddleboard: $20 per hour
- Paddleboat: $20 per hour
- Tube: $10 per day
- Life jacket: $5 per day
Remember that the last boat goes out 1 hour and 15 minutes before closing, so plan your paddle a little earlier than you might think.
Bringing your own canoe or kayak
If you have your own boat, you can use the primitive boat launch at the upper (southern) end of the lake. A gravel parking lot sits right by the ramp, and shoreline access is available near the launch and across the breast of the dam.
A few rules to keep in mind if you launch your own boat:
- Non-motorized or electric motor only. Gasoline engines are prohibited.
- Private boats are welcome year-round, not just during beach season.
- Storing a boat on resort property requires an annual permit ($40 for members, $50 for non-members), purchased at the Lake Laura office.
Most of the shoreline around the lake is privately owned, so plan to stay on the water or use the public access points rather than pulling up to a random beach.
💡 Quick insight: The lake is only about a mile from end to end, so a full paddle loop takes most beginners an hour or so at a relaxed pace. That fits perfectly into a single rental block.
Best Time of Year to Visit Lake Laura
The beach and rental operation runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Within that window, some weeks are much better than others depending on what you want.
Peak swimming: mid-June through August
Air temperatures in Basye typically hit the low to mid-80s from June through August, and the water tends to sit in the low-to-mid 70s. This is the sweet spot for comfortable full-day swimming, but it is also the busiest window. Weekends and holidays can pack the small beach quickly.
Best balance of warm water and lighter crowds
Two shoulder windows work really well for families and couples who want a calmer visit:
- Early to mid-June: water is warming up, beach is fully open, weekday crowds are still light
- Late August to Labor Day: water is still warm, schools are back in session, and weekday visits often feel almost private
Quiet paddling and hiking: September and October
Once the beach and rentals close for the season, the lake and loop trail stay open all year. Fall is our favorite time to paddle a personal canoe or kayak from the boat launch. The water is cooler, the crowds are gone, and the fall color around the ridge is beautiful. Just remember that swimming amenities and rentals are closed.
Weather notes
Basye sees around 37 inches of rain a year, with the wetter months in late spring and early summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, so morning visits are often the safest bet if you want a full day on the water.
💡 Did you know? Basye gets around 181 sunny days a year, and July highs average about 86°F. Even so, mountain evenings can cool off fast, so pack a light layer if you are staying into the sunset.
Things To Do Around Lake Laura
Lake Laura is the anchor for a great day trip, but the area around Bryce Resort and Basye has more to enjoy if you want to stretch the visit into a weekend.
Bryce Bike Park
For anyone who paddles in the morning and wants adventure in the afternoon, the bike park on the mountain is a great pairing. It is the first lift-served downhill bike park in Virginia, with green, blue, and black trails, plus bike and gear rentals on site. Reviewers regularly call it the best downhill park in the DC area, with jumps, berms, and flowy runs for every skill level.
- Trails: 1 green, 4 blue, 4 black downhill runs
- Rentals: Downhill bikes and protective gear available
- Access: Lift-served on the Bryce ski lift
Copper Kettle Restaurant
The Copper Kettle at the base of Bryce Resort is our default lunch or early dinner recommendation when guests are spending a day at Lake Laura. Locals and visitors give it a 4.0 average across more than 150 Google reviews, with regulars praising the beautiful atmosphere, the slope views, and the flatbread pizza. Live music nights bring a warm, family-full energy to the room.
- Rating: 4.0 (155+ reviews)
- Address: 1982 Fairway Dr, Basye, VA 22810
- Phone: (540) 856-2121
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, mostly evenings. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Tip: Reservations are smart on ski weekends and busy summer evenings.
View the Copper Kettle on Google Maps
Bryce Resort Golf Course
If you have a golfer in the group, the Bryce Resort Golf Course is worth working into your itinerary. It is one of the top-rated public mountain courses in the area, praised in reviews for its immaculate conditions, friendly staff, and player-friendly layout that still rewards accuracy and creativity.
- Rating: 4.3 (40+ reviews for the golf shop)
- Address: Mt Jackson, VA 22842 (on the Bryce Resort property)
- Phone: (540) 856-2124
- Hours: Roughly 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily during the season
View the Bryce Resort Golf Shop on Google Maps
Big Schloss Trail
For hikers wanting to trade the lake for a big-view ridge, the Big Schloss hike in George Washington National Forest is a favorite day trip. It earns a 4.9 star rating on Google with 100+ reviews, and hikers rave about “the best view I’ve ever seen in the eastern US” from the rocky summit.
- Rating: 4.9 (117+ reviews)
- Distance: About 4.4 miles round-trip from Wolf Gap
- Difficulty: Moderate, with a steep first half mile
- Tip: Parking at Wolf Gap fills up quickly on weekends. Arrive early.
View the Big Schloss trailhead on Google Maps
The Lake Laura Loop Trail
If you like to alternate paddling with a good walk, the Lake Laura Trail is a real gem. The loop wraps the perimeter of the lake for about 3 miles, mostly shaded and easy to moderate. Most walkers finish it in 1.5 to 2 hours.
A few things we love about it:
- Open year-round, even when the beach is closed
- Family-friendly, and generally suitable for kids as young as four with adults
- Three starting points so you can pick your route: the beach area, the dam parking lot, and the boat launch parking lot
- Gravel surfaces with some ups and downs, not wheelchair accessible
Pair a morning paddle with an afternoon loop hike and you have one of our favorite full days in Basye.
Ready To Visit Lake Laura?
Lake Laura is one of those quiet Shenandoah Valley spots that keeps drawing people back, year after year. Whether you want a lazy float on a tube, a full morning paddle in a canoe, or a hike around the shoreline, the lake makes it easy to slow down and enjoy the mountains.
At Blue Maple, we love helping our guests turn a day at Lake Laura into a full mountain getaway. Pick a cabin near Bryce Resort, throw the kayaks in the car, and plan a weekend the way it was meant to be spent: outside, with the people you love, in a place that gives you room to breathe.
Ready to plan your trip? Explore our Bryce Resort and Basye vacation cabins and start building your perfect Shenandoah Valley weekend today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in Lake Laura in Basye, VA?
Yes. Lake Laura has a designated swimming area on a private grassy beach at the lower end of the lake, operated by Bryce Resort. Public access is available for $10 per person per day, with children under 3 free. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swimmers are responsible for their own safety.
How much does it cost to visit Lake Laura?
Day-use access to the beach area is $10 per person. Boat rentals are $20 per hour for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Tubes are $10 per day and life jackets are $5 per day. Bryce Resort members and children 3 and under enter the beach for free.
Is Lake Laura open to the public?
Yes. Even though the lake is owned by Bryce Resort, the beach area is open to the public during the summer season, and the loop trail around the lake is open to everyone year-round.
How deep is Lake Laura?
Lake Laura is about 44 acres in surface area with a maximum depth of roughly 30 feet. It was created by a dam on the headwaters of Big Stony Creek.
Are dogs allowed at Lake Laura?
Dogs are not permitted on the Lake Laura beach or in the swimming area. However, well-behaved dogs on a leash are typically welcome on the lake loop trail. Always check current signage and rules before your visit.
Can I bring my own kayak or canoe to Lake Laura?
Yes. Private non-motorized boats are welcome year-round. Launch from the primitive boat ramp at the southern end of the lake. Only electric trolling motors are allowed; gasoline engines are prohibited.