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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.
At a Glance
| 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. |
|---|---|
| Fees: | Day-Use Fees:
|
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Closest Towns: | White Sulphur Springs, WV and Rimel, WV |
| Water: | Drinking water available May to October. |
| Restroom: | Accessible flush and vault toilets |
| Information Center: | White Sulphur Ranger District |
General Information
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.
Accessibility:
Accessible fishing access, flush toilets, vault toilets, and showers.
General Notes:
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.
Additional Resources
General Notes:
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.
Additional Resources
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area Campground Map.
Lake Sherwood Area Hiking Trails Brochure and Map
Activities
Campground 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.
RV Camping
Lake Sherwood has three single-unit camping areas and one group camping area. There are a total of 94 family units. Each unit has a capacity of eight people and there is one double site with a capacity of 16 people. Two vehicles are allowed per site. Each campsite has a parking spur, tent pad, picnic table, fireplace and lantern post.
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.
Most sites will accommodate trailers, however there are no electrical, sewage or water hook-ups.
| Hookup - Water | None |
| Hookup - Sewer | None |
| Hookups - Electric | None |
Group Camping
A group camping area is available for groups of up to 100 campers. This area is furnished with fire grates, tables, vault toilets and trash receptacles. Horseshoe pits are located throughout the campgrounds.
Lake and Pond Fishing
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.
General Info:
General NotesFishing
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.
Additional Resources
Day Hiking
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.
Backpacking
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.
Picnicking
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.
Group Picnicking
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 - Motorized
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.
General Info:
General NotesFishing
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.
Additional Resources
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area Campground Map.
Lake Sherwood Area Hiking Trails Brochure and Map
| Motor Type | Electric only |
Boating - Non-Motorized
Boats and canoes are available for rent from a concessionaire at this 165 acre 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
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.Featured Events
- Evan Hill & Fred Stalnaker Concert at Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater
Date(s): Jun 10, 2023 - Jason Hall Concert at Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater
Date(s): Jun 17, 2023 - Music with Dakota Karper at Seneca Shadows Campground Amphitheater
Date(s): Jun 24, 2023
Location
