How much does camping cost at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Camping fees at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp range from $20-$40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp 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 Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp before I book?

Yes! Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp has 6 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.

What is the best time to visit Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is open April 01 to October 30. 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.

Are there showers at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Yes, Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp have?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp has 41 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp. 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 Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Popular activities at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

4.61

345 reviews

811 Cave Mountain Lake Road

Top 21% in VASummer

Family FriendlySummer Destination

Featured in:Summer Camping Virginia#1 Spring Camping Virginia#1 Family-Friendly Campgrounds Virginia#1 +11 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,309 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

41 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,309 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

41 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $40.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

540-291-2188khall@fs.fed.us

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

811 Cave Mountain Lake Road

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

811 Cave Mountain Lake Road

Nearby places

Lexington, VA - 20 minutes (approx. 10 miles)

Natural Bridge State Park - 8 miles (approx. 15 minutes)

Buchanan, VA - approx. 20 miles

Buena Vista, VA - approx. 20 miles.

Driving directionsFrom I-81 North, take Exit 175 just south of Natural Bridge. Go north on U.S. Highway 11. Turn right at the Natural Bridge parking lot onto Route 130 East. Continue for approximately 4 miles to Natural Bridge Station. Turn right onto State Route 759 and continue for about 3 miles, then turn right again onto State Route 781. Turn left into the recreation area, then bear left at the Y intersection and continue into the campground. From I-81 South, take exit 180 (left exit) and continue south to Natural Bridge. Turn left onto Route 130 East and continue following the above directions.

Weather at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Best Time to Camp at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliably dry weather for swimming, fishing, and family lake-side activities — expect daytime highs around 75–85°F and cool nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s at this 1,300 ft Blue Ridge setting. The lake is at its most inviting for swims and small-boat paddling, hiking trails are fully clear, and fishing for typical Appalachian lake species (bass and panfish) is excellent. Weekends can be moderately busy with families and day visitors, but weekday stays feel relaxed Peak months: July, August, September, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 21% in VA

Summer is prime: swimming, warm days, shaded sites; many positive summer reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 01 to October 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season runs from April 1 to October 30 annually. The campground is closed from October 31 to March 31.

About Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp sits in the Blue Ridge foothills of George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, near Natural Bridge Station. This U.S. Forest Service campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites around a small mountain lake. Visitors come for swimming, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in a forested setting with flush toilets, showers, and a 14-day stay limit.

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp offers tent camping, RV camping (without hookups), and group camping. Primitive camping features shaded, private setups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliably dry weather for swimming, fishing, and family lake-side activities — expect daytime highs around 75–85°F and cool nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s at this 1,300 ft Blue Ridge setting. The lake is at its most inviting for swims and small-boat paddling, hiking trails are fully clear, and fishing for typical Appalachian lake species (bass and panfish) is excellent. Weekends can be moderately busy with families and day visitors, but weekday stays feel relaxed Peak months: July, August, September, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1309 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground centers on a 7-acre lake backed by forested ridges and grassy fields. Rock buttresses rise along the shoreline where the CCC built a 35-foot dam in the 1930s, blending stone and engineering into the landscape. Creeks cut through some loops, their sound carrying through camp. Deer graze the meadows at dawn. The forest is mostly hardwood, dense enough for shade but open enough to see the ridgeline. The terrain is gentle valley floor surrounded by low Appalachian hills.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is available at the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 guests per site, 12 guests in double sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityThe campground includes one handicap-accessible shower and flush toilets. Accessibility to trails and certain sites is mentioned but not fully detailed.

Site SizeSites are spacious, with most accommodating multiple tents or large setups. Campsite #41-42 is a double site accommodating up to 12 people.

PrivacySites are described as shaded, private, and well-spaced. "The campsites are spaced out well and fairly private," according to one reviewer. Another noted, "Spacious and private lots.

Total Campsites41 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy, choose creekside sites such as #30. For accessibility, site #20 is a pull-through. Double sites #41-42 are ideal for larger groups.

Best CampsitesSite #20 is a pull-through near the bathhouse, convenient for families needing quick access. Sites #41-42 form a double site for groups up to 12 people, with good privacy and space for multiple tents. Site #30 sits next to a creek, the water noise masking neighbor sounds.

Need help booking Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

No electric, water or sewer hookups available.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities include swimming, youth-only fishing (April 1 to June 15), regular fishing season, birding, photography, wildlife viewing, and hiking. The trails provide access to scenic views and range from short walks to strenuous hikes. "The Wildcat Trail starts above campsites #41-42 and loops back," noted one source.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

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

4.6

345 reviews

Top-Rated

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users frequently praise the cleanliness, scenic beauty, and peaceful nature of the campground. Hosts are described as helpful and friendly. Criticisms include issues with noisy neighbors and lack of sinks for dishwashing.

Review Summaries

Based on 345 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, friendly hosts, spacious sites, scenic beauty including streams and the lake, peaceful environment, well-maintained trails.

Based on 345 reviews

Common Concerns

Lack of dishwashing stations, occasional noise during quiet hours, sporadic cell service, and poorly maintained fire pits.

Based on 345 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite #41-42 (double site, spacious), Campsite #20 (near bathhouse), Campsite #1 (two entrances, shaded but less privacy).

Based on 345 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Buy firewood outside the campground, bring dishwashing gear, and plan for no cell service. Creeks provide calming background noise.

Based on 345 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight swimming and shaded sites for comfort. Fall reviews note scenic foliage and quiet atmosphere. Spring reviews focus on hiking and youth fishing opportunities. Winter reviews...

Based on 345 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Wow, and I mean Wow! I can't believe I have lived 40 minutes from this hidden gem," "The bathrooms were well maintained and appeared to be cleaned daily!" "Definitely a hidden gem off the beaten...

Based on 345 reviews