How much does camping cost at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area range from $16-$85/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Bolar Mountain Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Bolar Mountain Recreation Area has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Yes, Bolar Mountain Recreation Area has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Bolar Mountain Recreation Area have?

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area has 200 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Q: What is the best time to visit Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is open Open season runs from May to September with reservations starting in late June; the campground closes after Labor Day.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Q: Can I have a campfire at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

Fire policies at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area: Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.71

274 reviews

756 Twin Ridge Drive

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,670 ft

Price

$16 - $85/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

200 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,670 ft

Price

$16 - $85/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

200 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

$16.00 - $85.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Bolar Group Day Use Pavillion: $85.00; Double Prime: $37.00; Double, non-electric: $32.00; Single Electric: $30.00; Single Non-electric - Premium...

Hike and Bike Site Fee$16.00

Group Site Fee$85.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

540-279-4144

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

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Campground Map

756 Twin Ridge Drive

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

756 Twin Ridge Drive

Nearby places

Covington (approx. 20 miles), Hot Springs (approx. 45 miles), Marlinton (approx. 40 miles)

Driving directionsFrom 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.

Weather at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Current alerts(5)

Additional first-come, first-served sites may be available
Check out the forest's campground description for specific information to Fish Your National Forest
Click here for more information on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Full RV hookups are not available

Best Time to Camp at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Bolar Mountain Recreation Area because warm, sunlit days (typical highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F, nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F) make Lake Moomaw ideal for swimming, boating, paddling, and shoreline fishing. Water-based activities and group camping are at their peak from late June through August, although expect afternoon mountain thundershowers that quickly cool the air. Weekends in July and early August are the busiest, so plan reservations (available/強 Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Peak season: warm weather and full services but can be crowded and lively.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open season runs from May to September with reservations starting in late June; the campground closes after Labor Day.

About Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area sits on Lake Moomaw in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest near Warm Springs. This U.S. Forest Service campground offers electric and water hookups, showers, and a dump station across a sprawling foothill setting. Campers come for lake access, with swimming, boating, and fishing drawing crowds in summer alongside miles of forest trails.

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area accommodates a variety of camping preferences, including tent, RV, group, and walk-in sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Bolar Mountain Recreation Area because warm, sunlit days (typical highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F, nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F) make Lake Moomaw ideal for swimming, boating, paddling, and shoreline fishing. Water-based activities and group camping are at their peak from late June through August, although expect afternoon mountain thundershowers that quickly cool the air. Weekends in July and early August are the busiest, so plan reservations (available/強 Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1670 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryLake Moomaw stretches 43 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, its 2,530 acres held back by Gathright Dam. Mixed pine-hardwood forests surround the shoreline, with oaks, pines, mountain laurel, and rhododendron creating shade and screening between sites. The campground sits at 1,670 feet elevation. Lakefront sites offer direct water views, while wooded sites farther back have more privacy beneath the canopy. One visitor noted "some of the largest campsites I've ever seen," though spacing varies by loop.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodge is available within the campground. Accommodations are limited to campgrounds and individual campsites.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights maximum within a month.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 guests per site.

Groups

Group campsites accommodate up to 85 people and are priced at $85 per night during the peak season.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov both through their website and mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessibility features include well-maintained restrooms and flat, spacious sites. Some users highlight challenges for handicapped visitors due to dock closures: 'Dock was removed; it was a struggle getting elderly mother into the boat.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, with some noted as spacious and accommodating: 'Some of the largest campsites I've ever seen.

PrivacyCampsites offer a mix of privacy levels. Prime sites near the lake are less secluded, whereas wooded sites are more private.

Total Campsites200 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy and direct access to the lake, choose premium sites in Loop 2. Tent campers should avoid crowded areas during peak weekends.

Best CampsitesLoop 2, sites 51 and 53 are highly rated for direct lake access and views. Premium lakefront sites book early. Loop 1, site 32 is one of the few spots with Verizon cell service.

Need help booking Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers several facilities for campers. There are four campgrounds—Sugar Ridge, Campground 1, Campground 2, and Campground 3. Each campground boasts 'prime' sites with views and/or direct lake access. Campground 1 has the most electric sites, followed by Campgrounds 2 and 3. Potable water taps, flush toilets, and showers are available throughout all campgrounds. Individual campsites come with a picnic table, lantern post, fire ring, and a Camp Host for assistance. Campers can empty waste tanks at dump stations located in Campground 1 and Campground 2. User reviews provide mixed experiences. Some praise the cleanliness and accessibility of facilities, stating, 'Clean restrooms and showers. Campground keeper was always available and ready to help.' Other reviewers highlight maintenance issues like locked showers, broken water pumps, and outdated facilities. A reviewer noted, 'Showers were nasty mold all over walls.' Some reports mention seasonal closures of amenities: 'Bathrooms/showers were closed and replaced with very disgusting portalets.'

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The recreation area offers a diverse range of activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, swimming, and water sports. Hiking trails lead to scenic overlooks, such as Grouse Point and Islands Overlook. Fishing opportunities include brown trout, rainbow trout, bass, and crappie in Lake Moomaw. Popular boating activities include canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing. A beach is available for swimming, although rocky shores are noted.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

Trash & RecyclingTrash dumpsters are available at each campground. Recycling facilities are lacking, as noted by some reviewers: 'There is no recycling provided.'

Cell CoverageCell phone service is limited or nonexistent at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area. 'No service, no emergency phone,' stated one user. Verizon service is reportedly available near Loop 1, site #32.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.7

274 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Mixed reviews highlight the scenic beauty and recreation opportunities but also emphasize maintenance issues and inconsistent customer service.

Review Summaries

Based on 274 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 274 reviews.

Site #51Loved
Site #51 in Loop 2 is highlighted as a premium lakefront site with direct water access.
Site #32Mentioned
Site #32 in Loop 1 offers consistent Verizon cell service.

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean facilities, beautiful lake views, spacious campsites, and friendly camp hosts: 'Camp hosts were phenomenal this year!'

Based on 274 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints focus on maintenance problems, seasonal closures, and lack of management: 'Bathrooms/showers were closed and replaced with disgusting portalets.'

Based on 274 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing all necessities due to limited local stores, avoiding GPS routes through Richardson Gorge, and reserving premium lakefront sites early.

Based on 274 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews vary by season, with summer being described as lively but occasionally overcrowded. Fall is favored for its foliage but marred by early closures.

Based on 274 reviews

Camper Quotes

'This place has some of the largest campsites I've ever seen.' 'Bring your boat; water is amazing and clean!' 'Portable toilets were disgusting.'

Based on 274 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews mention challenges for elderly and handicapped visitors due to dock closures: 'It was a struggle getting elderly mother into the boat.'

Based on 274 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but leash rules are inconsistently enforced: 'Dogs allowed running loose on the beach.'

Based on 274 reviews

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Go if

You want a full-service lakefront campground with electric hookups and water activities in a national forest setting.

Skip if

You're seeking solitude during peak summer weekends or need consistently maintained facilities.

Nearby Campgrounds

756 Twin Ridge Drive, Warm Springs, VA 24484, USA

McClintic Point sits on the shore of Lake Moomaw in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, near Warm Springs in Virginia's foothills. Operated by Royal Elk Park Management Inc, this very small seasonal campground offers primitive and group camping with vault toilets and potable water. Visitors come for shoreline fishing, swimming, boating, and wildlife viewing along the lake.