Twin Lakes State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Twin Lakes State Park — A 548-acre park of profound historical significance in Prince Edward County, Virginia — featuring two lakes (Goodwin Lake 15 acres + Prince Edward Lake 36 acres), a swimming beach on Goodwin Lake, 33 campsites + 11 cabins, kayak/canoe/SUP rentals, fishing (bass, crappie, catfish), hiking trails, the Discovery Center, and the Cedar Crest Conference Center — a vital African American heritage site and former segregation-era park.
Twin Lakes State Park carries one of the most important stories in American state park history. During segregation, this site operated as two separate parks — one for white visitors (Goodwin Lake) and one for Black visitors (Prince Edward State Park for Negroes, established 1950). Today, unified as Twin Lakes, the park honors that history while offering a peaceful retreat with swimming, fishing, camping, and nature trails in the rolling Piedmont landscape.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Prince Edward County, VA — near Green Bay |
| Size | 548 acres — two lakes |
| Goodwin Lake | 15 acres — swimming beach + fishing |
| Prince Edward Lake | 36 acres — fishing + boating |
| Heritage | CCC/WPA-built — African American civil rights history |
| Conference Center | Cedar Crest — weddings, retreats, meetings |
Accommodations
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Campground | 33 sites — water + electric hookups, RV + tent |
| Cabins | 11 climate-controlled — year-round |
| Cedar Crest | Conference center — group retreats + weddings |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Beach on Goodwin Lake — Memorial Day to Labor Day |
| Fishing | Bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish — both lakes |
| Kayak/Canoe/SUP | Seasonal rentals + pedal boats |
| Boating | Electric motors permitted on both lakes |
| Hiking | Goodwin Lake Trail (1.1 mi), Otter’s Path (2.9 mi), more |
| Biking | Otter’s Path Trail — hikers + bikers |
| Camping | 33 sites + 11 cabins — year-round |
| Discovery Center | Nature exhibits — Goodwin Lake |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the park’s civil rights connection?
During segregation, this site operated as two racially separated parks. In 1950, Prince Edward State Park for Negroes was established — Virginia’s only state park for African Americans — after Maceo C. Martin sued for being denied access to Staunton River State Park. The parks were merged in 1976 and renamed Twin Lakes in 1986.
Can I use a motorboat?
Electric motors are permitted on both Goodwin Lake and Prince Edward Lake. No gas-powered motors. Kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and paddleboards are available for seasonal rental.
Park Location
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