Parker Hollow Lake

1506 Parker Hollow Rd, Baker, WV 26801

Parker Hollow Lake is a little remote, but that’s what makes it great. You’re not going to run into crowds at Parker Hollow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than one or two other people whenever I’ve been there. This lake is in the vicinity of Trout Pond, but really it is closer to Kimsey Run Lake. Parker Hollow isn’t as big or as quite as nice or as easy to get to as Kimsey Run Lake, but it’s a good spot to spend a little time. But like Kimsey Run Lake (and unlike Trout Pond), it’s totally free. Just drive up and launch your kayak or small boat. It seems like this location is better suited for being on the water instead of around the lake. The grass is high around the edges of the lake and there’s not much of a dock to fish from. There is a short concrete ramp for launching your boat. Unlike Kimsey Run Lake, this place is not really accessible to the disabled.

I personally don’t know anyone who fishes here more than Kimsey Run, but some locals probably do – especially if they want a more secluded experience.

This lake is just day-use, so there is no camping. You may want to set aside some time to just watch birds. I saw a beautiful eagle the last time I was here. When I was a kid, there were no eagles in the area, but now it is not too uncommon to see them.

The lake is about 35 acres. I measured this quickly from an aerial map, so I may be off a few acres. But that gives you sort of a feel for the size of the place. so it’s pretty good size. The maximum depth is about 40 feet, and it averages about 20 feet, I’d guess. You can download a nice bathymetric map below – and it’s totally free.

There’s no swimming here, but you could take a boat, canoe or kayak out on the water. There is a short boat ramp. You can fish or just take a nice slow tour of the lake. Be careful of all the stumps just above or below the water line.

This is not really a lake to walk around. It’s steep and reedy. I noticed someone had cut a section through the reeds to access the lake from the bank in the parking area. There might be some good fishing from the bank, but I just don’t know exactly where it would be.

This lake just focuses on fishing and nature watching. If you want to swim or hike or bike, Trout Pond is a better choice. But here you can take your fishing equipment anywhere without worrying that someone will step on a lost hook, and you can give your dog a dip in the lake anywhere you want.

The negatives about Parker Hollow Lake is that it doesn’t have bathrooms. It’s not wheelchair accessible. It doesn’t have any of the amenities of Trout Pond – running water, flush toilets, hot showers, camp sites, etc. It’s just a decent-sized lake for spending the day fishing or relaxing and watching wildlife.

Trout Pond is my favorite lake in the area, because I like to swim and kayak and sometimes camp. But if I only wanted to fish or bird watch and I wanted to be alone, Parker Hollow Lake would be an excellent choice.

Parker Hollow Lake Rules

All Largemouth Bass from 12-16 inches must be released immediately
Public boating and fishing access facilities shall be used solely for the purpose of launching and retrieving watercraft or fishing from the shore. No other use of access sites is allowed.
After launching, vehicles shall be parked in available parking spaces.
No consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession of an open container of alcoholic beverages
No swimming or bathing
No camping – but campgrounds are in the area
No open fires
no trash disposal
no discharge of firearms, fireworks and explosives
no leaving unattended watercraft

Parker Hollow Lake Aerial Photos

In the topographic map above, Parker Hollow Road runs along the East side of the lake.

Here you can see the loop parking area, just above the yellow pin. The parking area is fairly large, and I have never seen more than a couple of cars/trucks in it.

Parker Hollow Lake Map

Here’s a large cool free map showing water depth available from www.avenzamaps.com

And an 8.5″ by 11″ pdf version of the same map

Where is Parker Hollow Lake West Virginia?

1506 Parker Hollow Rd, Baker, WV 26801. Parker Hollow Lake West Virginia is in Hardy County. It’s in Baker and close to Lost River, Mathias, and Wardensville.

The easiest way to get to Parker Hollow Lake would be to go to the Corner Mart in Baker (photo below).

A Corner Mart is at the intersection of Rt. 259 and Old West Virginia 55. Take Old West Virginia 55 a mile or a little more. Parker Hollow Road (Road 11) will be on your left. The Lake will be about a mile down Parker Hollow Road.

There are other ways to get there, of course. You can access it from Kimsey Run Road. It’s not too far from Kimsey Run Lake. And the last time I went to Parker Hollow Lake, I went a back way from Lost River State Park, past the Hidden Run Stables. It was a really nice slow drive through the country.