Campground Camping

Campground Camping Areas

• Clinch Ranger District

  The Clinch Ranger District, located in the Cumberland Mountains section of the Appalachian Plateau in southwest Virginia, has mountainous terrain, deep valleys, and fresh bodies of water where visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities. The district has four campgrounds, four lakes, and plenty of rivers and streams for whitewater kayaking and fishing. In addition, it has over 100 miles of multi-use trail. Some popular landmarks are High Knob Tower and Birch Knob Observation Tower, both of which provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors, if they are lucky, can spot elk, wild turkey, and eagles among its rich, biodiverse ecosystem. The closest towns to the district are Pound, Clintwood, and Norton, Virginia.  

• Bark Camp Recreation Area

  Bark Camp Recreation Area offers a day use area and a campground situated near a 45-acre lake that is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. A three mile shoreline trail circles the lake, offering outstanding views. Highlights include an open air amphitheater overlooking the lake, a short hike to an interesting geological formation called “Kitchen Rock,” and universally accessible fishing piers and picnicking facilities. 

• Cane Patch Campground
• Cave Springs Recreation Area

  Cave Springs Recreation Area is situated within the picturesque farming community of Olinger Gap. Highlights of this recreation area include a campgournd, small spring-fed pond, access to Stone Mountain Trail and Wilderness, and a short hike to an overlook of the Olinger Gap Community. 

• High Knob Recreation Area

  The High Knob Recreation Area was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930’s. This remote and private location offers cooler summer temperatures due to its higher mountain elevation. The area offers a campground and day use and picnic area along a scenic mountain lake. Many of the original CCC structures are still in use here today. 

• Eastern Divide Ranger District

  Recreational areas and opportunities within the Eastern Divide Ranger District.

• The Pines Campground
• Walnut Flats Campground
• White Rocks Campground

  White Rocks Campground is in a secluded forest setting with cool summertime temperatures and great wildlife watching opportunities. A small creek meanders through several campsites and a nature trail traverses through the woods. Area highlights include Mountain Lake Wilderness, Mountain Lake, Glen Alton Day Use Area, Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory, Potts Rail Trail, Appalachian Trail, and multiple hiking opportunities.

• Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District

  Explore recreational opportunities in the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District of the National Forest by activity type below.  

  Also check out adventures specific to Rockbridge county at our partner's website: Rockbridgeoutdoors.com 

• Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area
• North Creek Campground
• Sherando Lake Recreation Area
• James River and Warm Springs Ranger District

  Visitors to the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District have opportunities to visit two wilderness areas located among the Alleghany Mountains in the western section of Virginia and  336,464 acres of mountains and valleys. The district has over 240 miles of multi-use trail and over 300 miles of roads. One of its most popular recreation destinations is Lake Moomaw, one of the largest lakes in Virginia, with 43 miles of undeveloped shoreline, campgrounds, and day use areas, including 3 boat launches. There, visitors can go both cold and warm water fishing, boating, picnicking, and camping. The closest town to the district is Hot Springs, Virginia.

• Blowing Springs Campground
• Hidden Valley Recreation Area

  With vast fields of wildflowers that attract countless butterflies, birds, and other wildlife, the Hidden Valley Recreation Area is appropriately named due to its secluded and hidden feeling. Drawing visitors for hundreds of years, the valley is a historic location with an antebellum-era mansion which is now run as a Bed and Breakfast. Camping is available at the campground. Stocked with trout, the Jackson River flows through the valley, and movie buffs will recognize the area as the setting for the movie Somersby.

• Lake Moomaw Recreation

  Lake Moomaw is a popular outdoor recreation destination offering multiple campgrounds, swim beaches, boating ramps, fishing piers and scenic trails. Popular with boaters and anglers, the 2,530-acre cold-water lake sits along the Jackson River in the mountains of the Alleghany Highlands where it boasts over 40 miles of undeveloped shoreline.

  Visitors can plan to base their adventures at recreation sites at the northern end of Lake Moomaw in Bath County or in the southern end of Lake Moomaw in Alleghany County.

• Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

  Bolar Mountain Recreation Area at Lake Moomaw offers visitors a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides opportunities for plenty of activities, including camping, boating, fishing and hiking, as well as volleyball and a playground. The recreation area sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook.

   

• Greenwood Point Campground
• McClintic Point Campground
• Morris Hill Campground

  Morris Hill at Lake Moomaw offers a peaceful, rustic campground. The campground offers scenic views from its perch on a ridge above the southern end of Lake Moomaw. Located just a half-mile from the lakeshore, this campground provides easy access to sandy swim beaches, a fishing pier, boat ramp, and hiking and biking trails. 

  Hikers enjoy the nearby Morris Hill Bike Trail and Fortney Loop Trail.

• Lee Ranger District

  Recreational opportunities in the Lee Ranger District.

• Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area
• Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area
• Hawk Recreation Area
• Little Fort Campground
• Trout Pond Recreation Area
• Wolf Gap Recreation Area
• Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

  The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers unique recreation opportunities in a 5,000ft high area with large rock formations, mountain balds, and spruce-fir forests. Within Mount Rogers, there are four wilderness areas, 400 miles of trail, eleven campgrounds, three rental cabins, and beautiful scenic roads, such as the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway and road to Whitetop Mountain. Mt. Rogers is home to 60 miles of Appalachian Trail and 18 miles of the Virginia Creeper Trail. Motorcyclists and cyclists can enjoy the beautiful Iron Mountain Trail, and horseback-riders can enjoy the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, one of the marque saddle trails in the region. In addition, visitors to Mount Rogers have the opportunity to go hunting, trout fishing, bird watching, sight-seeing, swimming, cross country skiing, and nature-viewing of animals such as wild ponies.  

   

• Beartree Recreation Area

  Relax at this popular, yet peaceful recreation area beside Beartree Lake complete with campsites, a picnic area, nearby trails and a scenic lake. Campsites are popular with tent campers since there are no hookups, but RVs are welcome and easily accommodated. Group sites are available with reservations.

• Beartree Lake Trail (Forest Trail #4563)
• Comers Rock Recreation Area
• Fox Creek Horse Campground
• Grindstone Recreation Area
• Hurricane Campground
• Raccoon Branch Campground
• Raven Cliff Recreation Area
• Stony Fork Campground
• North River Ranger District

  Recreational opportunities in the North River Ranger District.

• Brandywine Recreation Area

  Located on the 10-acre Brandywine Lake, this wooded recreation area affords access to multiple hiking and mountain biking trails, a swimming beach, and a campground with an onsite host.

• Camp Run Campground
• Hone Quarry Campground

  Hone Quarry Campground is within one mile of Hone Quarry Reservoir. Nearby trailheads lead to popular rock climbing areas. Highlights of the campground include a picturesque stream, a hike to a nearby 15-foot waterfall and an adjacent group picnic shelter that is non-fee and is available first-come first-served. 

• North River Campground
• Shaws Fork Campground
• Todd Lake Recreation Area