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Bolar Mountain Recreation Area
FSU.S. Forest Service — Warm Springs · Virginia · George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
| Location | Warm Springs · Virginia · George Washington & Jefferson National Forest · 37.98361, -79.96694 · Map |
| Sites | 124 public sites counted from the federal listing — 81 standard nonelectric; 34 standard electric; 6 walk to; 2 tent only nonelectric; 1 group standard area nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 33 of 124 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 12 of 124 sites Sewer hookups at 2 of 124 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 1 of 124 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 50 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 106 sites · 30 ft: 94 sites · 35 ft: 62 sites · 40 ft: 47 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Sugar Ridge Walk to Sites = $16 (Access or Senior Discount = $8) Tent Only Sites = $18 (Access or Senior Discount = $9) Standard Non-Electric = $21(Access or Senior Discount = $10.50) Premium Non-electric = $23 (Access or Senior Discount = $11.50) (Sites on the Water) Double Non-Electric Sites = $32 (No Discount) Premium Double Site = $37 (No Discount)(Sites on the Water) Campground #1, Campground #2, & Campground #3 Standard Non-Electric = $21(Access or Senior Discount = $10.50) Premium Non-electric = $23 (Access or Senior Discount = $10.50)(Sites on the Water) Electric Sites = $30 (Access or Senior Discount = $10.50) Premium sites on the water will have higher fees due to their popularity and increase maintenance needs. Senior and Access discount passes give a discount of the basic camping fees and even though we would like to, they do not discount amenity fees like electric. Discount passes are also not available to discount the use of Double or Group sites. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 123 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 540-279-4144 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-08-28.
From the official listing
Overview Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect!
Recreation Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which has a modern dock with boat slips. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook. Looking for a more primitive experience? Hike or boat to Greenwood Point for dispersed camp sites.
Facilities We have four campgrounds here at Bolar Mountain Recreation area; Sugar Ridge, Campground 1, Campground 2 & Campground 3 respectively. Each campground has "Prime" sites which have a view and/or direct access to the lake, those seeking electric sites will find most of their options at Campground 1 followed by 2 & 3. Potable water taps can be found throughout each camp along with flush toilets and showers. Individual camp sites have a picnic table, lantern post, a fire ring and a Camp Host to answer any questions/concerns you may encounter.
Campers can empty their waste tanks at one of the two dump stations at Campground 1 or Campground 2.
Natural Features The campground sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake is held by Gathright Dam, constructed in the 1980's by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline making it the second largest impoudment in western virginia.
Bolar Mountain is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which span 1.8 million acres across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. The forest protects 40 tree species within mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Nearby Attractions Hidden Valley is a short drive from the lake and has ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiast: Hike or ride your horse along the Jackson River, all the way to Poor Farm, cast a line for trout, and stay at the Hidden Valley Campground or even better the historic bed and breakfast. Warm Springs has restaurants, shopping and a Historical Society for Bath County in addition to other typical amenities.
Directions, from the listing
Know your route ahead of time, cell service will be intermitten if available at all.
From Covington, take 220 North to Hwy 39 and turn left on Hwy 39. Take Hwy 39 to Hwy 600 (Bolars Draft Road) and turn left on Hwy 600 towards the campgrounds. After about 7.5 miles turn right on Twin Ridge Drive for all campgrounds. Stay straight to head towards the store & marina, an overlook of the lake and McClintic Point.
** GPS often routes vehicles to take Richardson Gorge rd. via the Jackson River tpk. This route is NOT SUGGESTED for travel, especially when towing. It's a narrow dirt road with steep soft edges. Multiple accidents occur on this road each year. **
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Warm Springs VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceColes Point
2 mi straight-line · Covington VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMorris Hill Campground
4 mi straight-line · Covington VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBlowing Springs
7 mi straight-line · VirginiaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHidden Valley Campground
11 mi straight-line · Virginia
Trip Card — Bolar Mountain Recreation Area
Warm Springs · Virginia · George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Warm Springs · Virginia · George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
| Fees | Sugar Ridge Walk to Sites = $16 (Access or Senior Discount = $8) Tent Only Sites = $18 (Access or Senior Discount = $9) Standard Non-Electric = $21(Access or Senior Discount = $… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 33 · full hookups at 1 |
| Max RV | Up to 50 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 124 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234557 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.