Photographing Charlottesville Reservoir

Location: Shenandoah National Park: Southern District

Best time of year to photograph: Year Around

Subject Focus: Sunrise, Landscape, Nature 

Popularity: High

Charlottesville Reservoir offers a unique view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you will not find anywhere else in the Shenandoah National Park.

Charlottesville ReservoirCharlottesville Reservoir offers a unique view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you will not find anywhere else in the Shenandoah National Park.

(30mm, F/16, 0.6sec, ISO 100)

The reservoir is located in the Piedmont Hills just outside the city of Charlottesville, Virginia. So technically Charlottesville Reservoir is not in Shenandoah National Park, but it is only a few feet outside of the park, and it has an outstanding view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that make up the Southern District of Shenandoah National Park. 

Banks of the Charlottesville ReservoirCharlottesville Reservoir offers a unique view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you will not find anywhere else in the Shenandoah National Park.

(31mm, F/16, 0.5sec, ISO 100)

To reach Charlottesville Reservoir, known locally as Sugar Hollow Reservoir, from Interstate 64, take US 29 North to Barracks Road.  Follow Barracks Road (Route 601) for 11 miles until it turns into Sugar Hollow Road (Route 614). Follow Sugar Hollow Road for 5 miles until you reach the Reservoir.  I like to park at the dam and then walk down to the lake.  This side of the lake provides an outstanding view of the mountains including Turk Mountain.  I like to walk along the edge of the lake until I find a composition (click here to lean some photography composition tips). The level of the lake changes as the water level rises and falls, making each trip unique.  This will allow you to create different compositions as the shore line changes. 

Fall Colors at Charlottesville ReservoirCharlottesville Reservoir offers a unique view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you will not find anywhere else in the Shenandoah National Park.

(150mm, F/16, 0.5sec, ISO 100)

The Charlottesville Reservoir is a great location for sunrise.  Usually in the early morning, the wind is calm, which will allow you to capture a reflection of the mountains in the water.  When looking at the mountains from the dam, you will be facing west, which means the sun will be rising behind you.  As the sun slowly rises, it will illuminate the mountain ridges with soft, beautiful golden light (click here for some landscape photography tips). 

Enjoying the View at Charlottesville ReservoirCharlottesville Reservoir offers a unique view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you will not find anywhere else in the Shenandoah National Park.

(86mm, F/10, 1/6sec, ISO 100)

If you would like to capture the sun rising, you can either hike to the far side of the lake, or you could continue to drive past the dam for 0.5 miles to the Sugar Hollow Trail Head parking area.  From there, follow the trail down to the reservoir, and then hike along the shore line until you find your composition.  This side of the reservoir provides a great view of the Piedmont Hills surrounding Charlottesville and the lower end of the valley formed by the Moorman River. 

If you would like to photograph Charlottesville Reservoir from Shenandoah National Park, one of the best locations is Moorman River Overlook along Skyline Drive.  Click here for some photography tips from Moorman River Overlook.

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