Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area

Picnic shelter in an wooded setting with visitors around

Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area offers forested trails, campsites and open grassy picnic areas along the tranquil Passage Creek. Enjoy hiking the Pig Iron and Charcoal trail and learn how iron was historically mined and smelted. Spend the day fishing from a stocked trout stream, grilling out at a picnic spot, or taking a stroll across the swinging bridge to view the historic cabin.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	The day use area will open for the season on April 1, 2024.
Operational Hours:	Day use area open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Reservations:	Day use area and family campground is first-come first-served. Group campground by reservation only. Make reservations for the group sites at recreation.gov.
Fees:	No fee for day use. Camping fees apply.
Open Season:	Campground open year-round. Day Use area open mid-April - October
Restrictions:	Alcoholic beverages prohibited.
Closest Towns:	Strasburg, VA
Water:	Hand pump available year round in the family campground. No water at group campground.
Restroom:	Vault toilets available year-round; Flush toilets and warm water showers: late May-October 30th
Passes:	The America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass provides a 50% discount to the base campsite fee (not hook ups). No other America the Beautiful Interagency passes are valid at this site.
Operated By:	Lee Ranger District: 540-984-4101
Information Center:	Bicycle use near Elizabeth Furnance: Bicycle use on State Route 678 is allowed according to Virginia State Law. Please use caution as this road contains blind curves, narrow lanes and heavy traffic. All cyclists should be aware of and follow state laws regarding bicycle use and safety including Virginia State Law 46.2-905 which indicates cyclists should ride no more than two abreast. Read more information on bicycle safety in the Forest here.

General Information

Directions:

From I-81: Take exit 296 and turn east, on VA 55 for 1.4 miles. In center of Strasburg (traffic light), turn left to remain on VA 55. After 5.0 miles, turn right onto SR 678 in small community of Waterlick. The recreation area will be on your left in about 3.5 miles. There are three entrances, about a half mile apart: Entrance to the group campground appears first, followed by the entrance to the day use area, and finally the entrance to the campground.

From I-66: Take Exit 6 (Front Royal) and proceed south on SR 340/522 for 1.3 miles until you come to a stoplight. Turn right onto VA 55 West for 5 miles to the small community of Waterlick. Turn left onto SR 678 and go approximately 6 miles. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground will be on your left.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Campground Camping

Enjoy an overnight stay at the Elizabeth Furnace Campground or, if you are travelling with a larger group, reserve a spot at the group campground.

No. of Sites	32
No. of Accessible sites	15
Fees:	$20 per site per night. We currently do not accept credit/debits cards at this campground. Cash or checks only
Reservation info:	Individual campsites do not require a reservation and are first-come, first-served. Group campsite do require a reservation.

Group Camping

The Elizabeth Furnace group campground, located about a half mile from the day use area, is ideal for larger group up to 50 people in size.

No. of Sites	2
Fees:	Site A $55 (max 50 people). Site B $30 (max 25 people).
Reservation required?:	Y
Reservation info:	Reservations are required for group camping and cam be made at Recreation.gov