Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods (LOW) was developed in 1967 by Virginia Wildlife Clubs, a subsidiary of U.S. Land, Inc., and subsequently bought and developed by Boise Cascade Corporation. The Lake of the Woods Association, Inc. (LOWA) assumed ownership and control in 1972. LOW has since evolved into a community of permanent year-round residents, seasonal residents, and weekenders. A broad range of recreational, cultural, social, community service, and other activities are offered.

The LOW community covers approximately 2,600 acres with 4,260 lots (850 with lake frontage) distributed among 16 sections (many named after well-known southern plantations). The community has more than 41 miles of paved private roads.

As a private, gated community, LOWA provides contract security services 24 hours a day year-round. Lake of the Woods Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc., provides round-the-clock fire and medical transport services for LOW and northeastern Orange County, and is based inside LOW.

Lake of the Woods has two lakes - the Main Lake and Keaton’s Lake—two dams, and a front entrance pond. The Main Lake covers 500 acres and is fed by Flat Run and numerous springs. Veterans Memorial Dam, spanning 1,400 feet along the northwest edge of the Main Lake, was built in 1968. This lake has two marinas, seven lake access areas, and eight sand beaches.

Keaton’s Lake, also known as the Fishing Lake, is a 35-acre impoundment, at the northeast corner of the community close to Route 3 created by damming Keaton’s Run. The dam at this lake is known as Keaton’s Run Dam. The lake has one public launch area and one sand beach.

The small entrance pond with a fountain at the front gate serves as a sediment retention basin and provides an excellent location for the annual Children’s Fishing Tournament.