Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, VA · ≈47.9 mi to Salem
Sites
124
Max rig
50 ft
Pull-through
No
Hookups
50A
ADA
To town
47.9 mi
Signal

✓ Best for

  • Big rigs and large RVs
  • Boating and water sports
  • Fishing and hunting trips
  • Wildlife viewing and hiking

✕ Not ideal for

  • RVers needing water or sewer hookups
  • Visitors seeking cell coverage
  • Campers near town amenities

Connectivity

Plan to be offlineNo modeled cell coverage from any carrier. If you need connectivity here, a satellite communicator or hotspot device is worth considering.

What's here

81 Standards (no Hookups)Drive-In access
34 Standards
6 Walk-InsHike-In access
2 Tent Onlys (no Hookups)Drive-In access
1 Group Standard Area (no Hookups)Reserved as one unit · largest capacity: 50 people
Rig compatibility

Will your rig fit?

Checked against every site's real dimensions.
Your RV length
35ft
35 ft
Your fit summary
See availability →

Amenities & features

Amenities
Campfires allowedElectric hookupsFire pitsPets allowedPicnic tablesShade
Activities
BoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingInterpretive ProgramsSwimming SiteWater SportsWildlife Viewing
Natural features
Lakefront
CampIntel Score

How we score

We score what we can verify.
Workable for mid-size rigsRig fit
Remote — plan aheadAccess
Minimal servicesConvenience
Verdicts come from our Rig fit, Access & Convenience sub-scores — each built only from verifiable Recreation.gov data.

Where it is

Nearest town: Salem, ~47.9 miGet directions ↗

Nearby campgrounds

Closest options, ranked by score.

Photos

Photos: USFS, BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA

Overview

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.

Managed by USDA Forest Service · Developed campground