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Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground

Lake Sherwood Recreation Area is a complete family destination offering a wide variety of activities and camping options. Standard, tent-only and group camping facilities are perched along Lake Sherwood, the largest lake on Monongahela National Forest. Swimming beaches, a picnic area, boat ramp and several hiking trails are among the features of the area.

At an elevation of 2,600 feet, Lake Sherwood spans 156 acres. A variety of animals make their home here, including black bear, coyote, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, otter and mink.

Current Conditions
West Shore Loop opens May 19. All other sites, Picnic Pavilion opens May 20. Use fees begin May 19. Boat launch and trailhead remain open all year.

Reservations

Campground and Pavilion reservations available at recreation.gov.   Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made 6 months in advance for standard sites and 12 months in advance for group sites.

General Information

Maps and Guides Resources

Fishing

Within the recreation area, anglers seek tiger muskie, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boating is a big draw as well. Hikers have the option of exploring Lake Sherwood Trail, Upper Meadow Trail, Meadow Mountain Trail and Meadow Creek

Camping

The campground has 104 individual campsites and 10 group campsites. Each has a parking spur, tent pad, picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Showers are accessible. All camping areas are served by restrooms with running water, flush toilets, hot showers and electricity (available during the summer season only). In the spring and fall, vault toilets and a hand pump well are available. 

The parking aprons are gravel, and some are up to 20 feet wide. No electrical, sewage or water hook-ups are available, but there is a dump station on-site. Other amenities include a playground, picnic shelters and volleyball courts.

Overnight Use:
Peak Season
Single Site: $16 per night (Cales Knoll Loop)
Single Site: $20 per night (West Shore, Pine Run, and Meadow Creek Loop)
Double Site: $20 per night (West Shore Loop)
Group Site: $100 per night
Non-peak Season
Single Site: $18 per night (West Shore Loop)
Single Site with electric hook-up: $36per night (West Shore Loop)
Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
$30 per annual
Group Site: $50 per day

Day-Use Fees

  • Day Pass - $5/vehicle each day
  • Season Pass - $30. Allows one vehicle entry per pass. 

Peak Season Campground fees

  • West Shore, Pine Run, and Meadow Creek Loop Single Site - $20/night
  • Cales Knoll Loop Single Site - $16/night
  • West Shore Loop Double Site - $40/night
  • Group Camping Site - $100/night

Non-Peak Campground Fees

Fees are reduced after water systems are shut down in the fall until they reopen in the spring. 

  • West Shore Loop Single Site - $18/night
  • West Shore Loop Double Site - 36$/night

Pavilion rental

  • Picnic Pavilion - $50/day

 

USDA Forest Service Logo

Address: 1079 Main Street East White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
Phone: 304-536-2144
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern time, unless otherwise posted. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 38.008931

Longitude: -80.012636

Directions

From White Sulphur Springs: Head northeast on E Main Street toward Mill Hill Avenue. Turn left onto WV-92 N/Pocahontas Trail (15.4 mi). Turn right onto Lake Sherwood Rd (3.8). Continue straight to stay on Lake Sherwood Road (6.4 mi). Turn right to reach the Lake Sherwood Recreation Area.

From Rimel: Head southwest on WV-92 S (15.7 mi). Turn left onto Lake Sherwood Rd (3.8 mi). Continue straight to stay on Lake Sherwood Rd (6.4 mi). Turn right to reach the Lake Sherwood Recreation Area.

Facility and Amenity Information

Accessibility

Accessible fishing access, flush toilets, vault toilets, and showers.

Restrooms

Restrooms are not available at this site.

Accessible flush and vault toilets

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

Drinking water available May to October.

Recreation Opportunities

Picnicking - Single Info

There is a large picnic area at the lake, containing individual picnic sites and a picnic shelter. Each site contains a grill, picnic table, and waste receptacle. Volleyball nets and horseshoe pits are also present.


 

Picnicking - Groups Info

A picnic shelter is available for family and group outings. Pavilion reservations may be made online or by calling (877)444-6777. Pavilion reservations must be made at least 4 days prior to your arrival or can be made 360 days in advance.

Boating - Non-Motorized Info

Boats and canoes are available for rent from at the lake. Three boat launches and a dock are available for public use. One dock is near the concession stand and two are in the campgrounds. Electric boat motors may be used, however, due to the small size of the lake, no other types of motors may be used.

Swimming Info

One of the most beautiful swimming areas in West Virginia is found at Lake Sherwood. There are two sand beaches, one on the "mainland" and one on an island, which are connected by a scenic footbridge. The swimming area contains a bathhouse complete with showers and flush toilets. Water fountains are dispersed throughout the swimming area. Lifeguards are not provided.

Boating - Motorized Info

Boats and canoes are available for rent from at the lake. Three boat launches and a dock are available for public use. One dock is near the concession stand and two are in the campgrounds. Electric boat motors may be used, however, due to the small size of the lake, no other types of motors may be used.

Backpacking Info

Numerous loop trail opportunities exist in the Lake Sherwood area for everyone from the beginning hiker to the experienced backpacker. All trails start at a trailhead in the picnic area. 

Day Hikes Info

Numerous loop trail opportunities exist in the Lake Sherwood area for everyone from the beginning hiker to the experienced backpacker. All trails start at a trailhead in the picnic area. The shortest, most popular trail is a 3.5 mile scenic loop around Lake Sherwood.

Fishing - Lake & Pond Info

Lake Sherwood contains a variety of fish including bass, bluegills, bullheads, catfish and tiger muskies. Meadow Creek, below Lake Sherwood, is intermittently stocked with trout. A state fishing license, a Conservation Stamp, and a National Forest Stamp are required, and if fishing for trout, a trout stamp is required. Please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for more information on fishing licensing requirements.

Last updated August 20th, 2025