Recreation

Hurricane Helene Information

In response to damage caused by Hurricane Helene we have these closures:

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail (Forest Service Trail #4575) is closed from Trestle #17 in the Town of Damascus east to Whitetop Station and the North Carolina line.
Bark Camp Lake Recreation Area is closed until further notice due to storm damage.

As we complete assessments of conditions, we will work to open areas when we know they are safe for users.

Please visit our Hurricane Helene Information Page for more information.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name	Status	Area Conditions
Appalachian Trail	Open
Bark Camp Lake Campground	Closed	Closed for the season
Bark Camp Recreation Area	Temporarily Closed	Due to Hurricane Helene storm damage, the Bark Camp Recreation Area is temporarily closed until further notice.
Beartree Recreation Area	Closed
Birch Knob Observation Site	Open	Birch Knob Observation Tower will close for the season on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Blacksburg Shooting Range	Open	This site is closed on Mondays for cleaning.
Bolar Flat Marina	Closed	Closed for the season.
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area	Closed
Brandywine Recreation Area	Closed	Water system is closed for the winter season. No water at campground from October 15 - December 15. Campground closes December 15. Day use area is closed.
Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area	Closed	Closed as of October 28,2024
Cane Patch Campground	Closed	This site is closed until further notice.
Cascades Day Use Area	Open
Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area	Closed	Campround, Group Camp and Day Use Closed 10/31/2024
Cave Springs Recreation Area	Closed	This site is closed until further notice.
Coles Point Day Use Area	Closed	Closed for the season.
Crabtree Falls Day Use Area	Open
Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area	Open	The Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground is closed. Flush toilets and showers are closed. Water is available at a hand pump and vault toilets are unavailable.
Green Cove Station Visitor Center	Closed
Greenwood Point Campground	Open
Hanging Rock Day Use Area	Open	Hanging Rock day use is currently open. Due to structural deficiencies, the Observatory is closed for public health and safety.
Hidden Valley Recreation Area	Closed	Hidden Valley Recreation Area is closed for the season.
High Knob Recreation Area	Closed	High Knob Campground and Day Use Area are closed.
High Knob Tower	Open
Hite Hollow Shooting Range	Open
Hurricane Campground	Closed
Lake Keokee Day Use Area	Open	Lake Keeoke restroom closed as of November 4, 2024
Lake Moomaw Recreation	Closed	Lake Moomaw is closed for the season.
Morris Hill Campground	Closed
North Creek Campground	Closed	North Creek Campground is closed for first come first serve camping.
North Fork of Pound Boat Launch	Open	Boaters should be on the lookout for a higher than normal amount of floating debris.
Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System	Closed
Sherando Lake Recreation Area	Closed	Sherando Lake Rec Area Campground – closed 10/31/24 Sherando Lake Day Use will remain open until the end of November, weather permitting, however no facilities are open. (water is turned off)
South Pedlar ATV Trail System	Closed	Closed for the season.
Stony Fork Campground	Closed	Stony Fork Campground is closed for the season.
Todd Lake Recreation Area	Closed	Todd Lake Day Use Area is closed.
Trout Pond Recreation Area	Closed	Trout Pond is a natural lake with a varying water flow. The children's playground is no longer available. Trout Pond is closed for the season.
Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail	Temporarily Closed	In response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene, sections of the Virginia Creeper Trail are closed. The Virginia Creeper Trail is OPEN from Abingdon to Trestle 16 in Damascus. The remaining 17 miles of trail from Damascus to its eastern terminus at Whitetop on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area are CLOSED As we complete assessments of conditions, we will work to open areas when we know they are safe for users. Please visit our Hurricane Helene Virginia Creeper Trail Information Page for more information.
Whitetop Station Visitor Center	Closed