Lake Audubon

Lake Audubon is the largest man-made body of water in Reston. With a surface area of 43.5 acres and a watershed encompassing over 1,558.5 acres, the lake is surrounded by weeping willows and other hardwoods that burst into different shades of red, brown, and gold in the fall. The surrounding areas harbor some of the finest lakefront and lake view properties in the community.

Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau were initially meant to be one body of water to be named after the town founder's mother, Elsa. However, the construction of the South Lakes dam in 1979 divided the water body into Lake Audubon in the south and Lake Thoreau in the north.

For many years, the southern lake was closed off and remained dry until it was filled with water in the 1980s. Today, Lake Audubon holds approximately 133.6 million gallons and is home to a variety of aquatic plants, waterfowl, and fish.

What You'll Love About Lake Audubon

• World-class boating and fishing: Lake Audubon is a popular fishing spot. Its waters are abundant with bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, brown bullhead, and american eel. Though there are no public docks on the lake, anglers can come to a rocky fishing point down the path from the boat ramp parking lot just off Twin Branches Road. Visitors can also head out on the water by boat, canoe, or kayak.

  Picturesque hiking trails: The Walker Nature Center is a forested area encompassing 72 acres. The nature preserve surrounds Lake Audubon with a network of trails, picnic pavilion, streams, and several gardens. The lake itself is bordered by a 1.7-mile loop paved trail with dense canopies and a stone staircase at the halfway point. The trail stays close to the water and commands stunning views of the lake.

  Hikers can also explore the Lake Audubon and Glade Stream Loop, a 6.61-kilometer trail with some off-lease areas, and the Lake Audubon Loop via Turquoise Trail, a 4.74-mile paved trail that is mostly flat and follows a glistening stream.

• Scenic bird watching spots: The Walker Nature Center, Turquoise Trail, and several areas covering 400 acres in Reston are certified Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuaries. The woodland trails that extend from Snakeden Stream Valley to Lake Audubon are prime bird watching spots, with over 28 species of warbler as well as different kinds of migratory birds and waterfowl.

Real Estate In Lake Audubon

The shores of the lake are dotted with gorgeous condos, townhomes, patio homes, and single-family homes. However, Lake Audubon real estate is in limited supply, particularly when it comes to lake homes and lake lots, making it one of the most exclusive areas in Reston.

There is a high concentration of townhome developments on the western banks of the lake.

• Cabots Point straddles the areas of Lake Audubon and South Lake. It offers a collection of cedar patio homes and townhomes nestled on winding cul-de-sacs along the lake. Many of these homes were built from the early to mid-1980s with two-car garages and Contemporary architecture.
• South Bay harbors 33 Contemporary-style homes with plenty of natural light and private access to Lake Audubon. An estimated 30% of properties in this cluster are lakefront homes.
• Cedar Cove has a selection of over 66 townhomes located off South Lakes Drive. The majority of these properties are cedar-sided, three-story homes built between 1980 and 1989. About 20% of the homes in Cedar Cove are considered direct lakefront properties.
• Lake Audubon Terrace Cluster is located on Thrush Ridge Road and Glade Court near the Turquoise Trail and Walker Nature Education Center. It offers three-level townhomes with one to two-car garages and gorgeous brick accents. Most of the homes were built between 1983 and 1988 and about 50% of the housing stock are direct lakefront properties. Residents enjoy lake access with a private dock.
• Lake Audubon Terrace West Cluster is located along Glade Drive and offers 56 townhomes, many of which are lakefront and are available in three distinct floor plans. The cluster is surrounded by trees and walking paths.