Lake Matoaka

lake matoaka at sunset with students canoeing and kayaking in background Wooded groves, perennial gardens and vast green spaces are signature attributes of the William & Mary campus.

Along the shore of Lake Matoaka is the Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre, a large outdoor venue that hosts many music events and other programming. The Matoaka Art Studio is located near the amphitheatre, where students take classes in two-dimensional arts. A short distance away is the Matoaka Boathouse and dock, a cross-lake zipline, a ropes course and the 10+ mile network of trails in the College Woods.

student smiling and waving while zip lining through the trees

Lake Matoaka Activities

Canoe, kayak, zipline and more through the Tribe Adventure Program, perform research on the water and wildlife, complete the bird scavenger hunt (over 183 bird species have been observed to date), hike the 10+ miles of College Woods trails, use the student-created field guide, learn about the local flora, fauna and fungi, or join the American toads and Pickerel frogs relaxing by the water.

History of Lake Matoaka

Lake Matoaka was named after Chief Powhatan’s daughter, whose nickname was Pocahontas. Constructed 25 years after W&M was chartered, Lake Matoaka is the oldest man-made lake in Virginia. In the 18th century, the land Lake Matoaka is on was sold and became a privately owned mill for over 100 years until it was re-acquired by W&M in the early 20th century.

Learn More About the Lake

The Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre at Lake Matoaka

Watch a concert put on by Alma Mater Productions ranging from Sean Kingston to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, take a yoga class or plan your own event. There are many opportunities to meet people, try new things, make memories and (of course) have fun.

Launch Experience

Keck Environmental Field Laboratory

On the shore of Lake Matoaka, the Keck Lab supports W&M’s environmental programs. From the Chesapeake Bay watershed to the surrounding College Woods, you can conduct research on forests, streams, freshwater lakes and tidal wetlands.

Find out more about the Lab

Learn more about the studio from Life@W&M Host, Kate Madigan '24

Matoaka Art Studio

Nestled in the trees surrounding Lake Matoaka, the Matoaka Art Studio is one of three buildings that house the Department of Art & Art History. This trapezoid-shaped studio features windowed teaching spaces for printmaking and drawing, as well as faculty studios. Overlooking the lake, it offers a peaceful, inspiring setting for students exploring two-dimensional arts and plays a vital role in the university’s vibrant arts community.

Visit the Studio