The George Washington National Forest encompasses numerous campgrounds surrounding Warm Springs, Virginia, including developed and dispersed options within a short drive. Bolar Mountain Recreation Area and Hidden Valley provide established campgrounds with various amenities, while Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area offers free primitive camping for self-sufficient visitors. Most camping areas accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several sites featuring lake or stream access. The region includes options ranging from primitive sites with vault toilets to more developed facilities with electric hookups, showers, and reservable sites. McClintic Point Primitive Campground provides lakefront sites that are first-come, first-served.
Many campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, typically opening in March or April and closing between November and December. Summer months bring the highest visitation, particularly at waterfront sites. Roads to dispersed camping areas may require higher clearance vehicles, especially at Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area where visitors access several primitive sites along Hidden Valley Road. Cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds, requiring advance planning. Vault toilets are common at primitive sites, while more developed campgrounds like Douthat State Park offer showers and electric hookups. One visitor noted, "Need to be self sufficient though, only convenience is a toilet house. No cell coverage. Highly recommend for primitive camping."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with lakeside and riverside sites filling quickly during peak periods. Several campgrounds offer access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and water recreation. Hidden Valley features multiple hiking trails and a trout stream, contributing to its five-star ratings from visitors. Blowing Springs Campground provides creek access with "crystal clear" water. Douthat State Park, though slightly further from Warm Springs, draws campers with its lake, swim beach, and extensive trail system. Privacy between campsites varies considerably, with some reviews noting close quarters at more developed campgrounds and greater seclusion at primitive sites. Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and peaceful settings, with one noting, "No neighbors. Maybe we just got lucky. I encourage."
$37 / night
"Kid and pet friendly, this park has a nice lake for Kayaking/canoeing, multiple hiking trails with views, excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, and great biking trails."
"General: There are four campgrounds in Douthat State Park - White Oak, Whispering Pines, Lakeside, and Beaver Dam (equestrian), each in a separate location. This review is for White Oak."
$16 - $85 / night
"This was our first camping trip to actually visit lake Moomaw in Warm Springs Virginia. We had been close before but never made it to the lake itself."
"I stayed on campground 1 on a lake side site with access to the lake, the views from my tent were breathtaking! The campground is clean, it has shower and flushable toilets."
"Maybe 5-10 min off of highway 220. There are maybe 5 ish spots to camp next to a river in this mountain valley."
"I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice."
$18 - $65 / night
"Morris Hill campground is located in Alleghany County, Virginia, in the George Washington National Forest. This campground does not have Water/Electric hookups... It is semi primitive."
"This is a great camp located near lake Moomaw! Right off the road with easy access to the sites. First come first serve but this particular camp has a lot of sites!"
$20 - $100 / night
"The campground is butted up against Sherwood lake and a small mtn ridge range that divides West Virginia and Virginia. "
"We spent Labor Day weekend 2021 enjoying Lake Sherwood when we stayed at the recreation area while visiting friends in nearby Clifton Forge, Virginia."
"It is perfect for what we wanted... a primitive campground with large sites and access to the water (creek- for floating and baths, haha). Vault toilets, no lights, no sinks/showers."
$15 / night
"It also has several hiking trails to enjoy along with a nice trout stream."
"Beautiful morning, but seems to stay chillier than the surrounding area. It's in a valley and two sites back up to the lake. There is access to the lake for canoes/kayaks."
"Stayed here for a night so we didn't have to keep driving. Had the place to ourselves. Neat for a night. I took a video as well. https://youtu.be/XaYCE0Evkno"
"Good facilities and trails"
$90 - $427 / night
"The sites are level, gravel, well spaced out and surrounded by trees. We stayed at White Pines Campground and there was a network of trails you can access a short walk away."
TravelerThere were at least 12 numbered sites. Free dispersed camping. 14 day limit. Most sites had sun so you could have solar. Some sites were very private tucked far off the gravel road. All sites were very spaced out. Very quiet.
TravelerI used the coordinates and it took me to a campground that charges $15 a day. They weren’t private being right on the gravel road. There were tables,pits and the shepherds hook in each one. There were some that were on the river. There were toilets. I didn’t use them so I can’t say anything more about them. Not much sun thru the dense trees for solar. I kept driving around the forest on FR227 and came upon a whole nother set of labeled dispersed campsites that were very private and have open areas for solar. They were numbered. There were at least 12 that I saw.
ScoutBeautiful and secluded. Primitive camping area for boondocking or tent camping. Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses.
ScoutAbsolutely no service here cell or internet. We have a starlink so are connected if needed Stayed at the furthest site removed from anyone. Very beautiful.
TravelerI can’t believe no one has rated this beautiful place. The sites are level, gravel, well spaced out and surrounded by trees. We stayed at White Pines Campground and there was a network of trails you can access a short walk away. The trails had views, lake, waterfall, and beautiful mountain laurel in bloom. These trails looked great for mountain biking too. The showers were nicely laid out, clean and had great pressure and there were plenty of them. The huge bonus was the dishwashing station with hot water. I can’t wait to come back and explore this beautiful area more!
GuideIt’s very green and scenic
GuideThis is the city park with the campground and an old estate. They don’t accept reservations. We arrived at 5pm on Friday. Went to the office to check in,found that they closed at 4:30. There was a note on the door that said to leave money in an envelope and put it through the slot in the door, no further information. Wrote our name and a description of the vehicles and put $110.30 in cash for 2 nights in the door slot, and went to find camping. There are no picnic tables or fire rings, in the large lower section of the campground there is just water and electric, no sewer connection. We chose a site near the river and set up camp. Then found the power isn’t working. First thing the next morning I went to the office to ask about refunding the difference for the full hook up to dry camping spot. The woman was not helpful at all, and insisted that she doesn’t do refunds, even though I explained that I had left cash. She said no one was supposed to be camping on the riverside, and that they don’t turn the power on down there. I said without a note on the door to explain that or a sign near the path, there’d be no way to know that. Beware, when you pay, make sure you know what site you’re in and what services you’re getting, then go and pay for it. She was most unpleasant, and unhelpful. On the plus side, the river is pretty, there’s an ice cream stand, and there’s nice hiking trails.
ScoutThe river is nice for floating when water is high enough. Nice waterfall for pics. Sites are close together but still ok. They have planted trees between sites so in time it will get even better. Camping by the river is very peaceful.
ScoutNeeded a spot to get off the road for the night while traveling through area. It served the purpose. Road noise is real. We ran a fan off our generator. Donuts made in same lot for breakfast and Buckeyes is close by.
Lake Moomaw sits at 1,588 feet elevation within the Allegheny Mountains near Warm Springs, Virginia, creating a microclimate where summer evening temperatures often drop 15-20 degrees below daytime highs. Most campgrounds near Warm Springs operate seasonally from April through October, with several primitive camping options remaining accessible into December. The area features both developed campgrounds with electric hookups and free dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles.
Fishing at Lake Moomaw: At Morris Hill Campground, campers can access Gathright Dam for trout fishing. "The spillway located down in the bottom of the dam offers great trout fishing area as well... and for those who want to see how massive this man made rock dam is, you will want to drive down and take a look at the massive size," notes one camper.
Kayaking opportunities: Lakeside camping at Lake Sherwood provides water access. "Kayaking around the lake was fun, and there are many types of fish in the lake," shares a reviewer. Boat rentals are available at the marina for those without equipment.
Mountain biking: Several forest roads and trails offer mountain biking routes. One camper at Douthat State Park notes, "Fun trails to go ride around on your bike all day," while another mentions, "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads."
Swimming in clear waters: Several campsites provide swimming access in natural settings. "Sites are close together with no privacy but there were only a few other campers over the 3 days I was there. Beautiful creek and waterfall with sandy beach only a short walk from campground," reports a visitor to Blowing Springs Campground.
Secluded lake access: Campers at McClintic Point Primitive Campground value the private lakefront sites. "No neighbors. Maybe we just got lucky," notes one camper. Another mentions, "Two sites back up to the lake. There is access to the lake for canoes/kayaks."
Low light pollution for stargazing: The remote location creates ideal nighttime viewing conditions. A visitor to Seneca State Forest described, "Moonlight piercing the night through your curtainless windows...and reveling in the surreal sunrises and sunsets did it for me!"
Fresh spring water: Natural water sources enhance the camping experience at several sites. One Blowing Springs Campground visitor explains, "For water, we walk across the street from the entrance, and back in the woods there's a pipe coming out of the rocks with super cold, fresh water. Takes some effort hauling your water containers, but so worth it."
Abundant wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding Warm Springs support diverse wildlife. A camper at Seneca State Forest reported, "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures." Another mentioned, "Watched some deer walk thru a few times they didn't seem fazed by me or my dog."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal connectivity. At Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area, a visitor notes, "No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came." Similarly, a Lake Sherwood camper explains, "This is off the grid and does not really have provisions especially after Labor Day... Had no cell service (Verizon) as well."
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevation creates significant day-night temperature changes. One visitor noted, "Gets super cold at night even in the summer," while another mentioned, "We arrived in the beginning of June and it was kind cold that night."
Varying bathroom facilities: Amenities differ widely between campgrounds. One Morris Hill camper observed, "Bathrooms were a little run down, but not bad, two toilets and one single shower." At Lake Sherwood, a reviewer found, "Bathrooms offered flushable toilets as well as showers. They were clean but did have lots of daddy long legs to keep you company."
Seasonal limitations: Some amenities are reduced after peak season. "It is a stretch to call it a store but it did have ice, drinks, bait, peanut butter and few other essentials. Again closed after Labor Day," explains a Lake Sherwood visitor.
Lake swimming options: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers dedicated swimming areas for children. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a separate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes," notes one family. Another visitor mentioned, "We had site #17 but if I stayed again I would prefer site #18. Both sites were VERY spacious, secluded, and right on the lake."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs during summer months. "Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming," shares a Douthat State Park visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: The region offers diverse recreation for children. "This camp site was easily accessible and seats to find. The rates were very low and affordable for an avid backpacker," reports a Seneca State Forest camper. A Lake Sherwood visitor added, "The campsites are clean and well maintained with nice bathrooms and shower houses. We saw tons of wildlife in the area. The hike around the lake was awesome and all our kiddos loved the island and beach."
Site selection for families: Some sites offer more privacy for families with children. "Our site was across the road from the lake but there was a trail that led to the water," explains a Bolar Mountain visitor. "We rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot."
Hookup availability: Hidden Valley Recreation Area offers limited hookups for RVs. "This campground has beautiful tent and RV sites with a nice tree canopy to help shade the sites," notes one visitor.
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. "We reserved 35&36. 35 was pretty sloped but the gravel driveway wasn't too terribly unlevel. Only real issue was where our steps came out right into a sloped area and was hard to set them right and had to be careful coming in and out," explains a Morris Hill camper.
Access road challenges: Several campgrounds have challenging approach roads. One reviewer warns, "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles." Another mentions, "It takes a little time to get there but it's worth the trip."
Size-appropriate campgrounds: Some areas better accommodate larger vehicles. "Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites," explains a Douthat State Park visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Warm Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Warm Springs, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 159 campgrounds and RV parks near Warm Springs, VA and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Warm Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Warm Springs, VA is White Oak Campground — Douthat State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Warm Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Warm Springs, VA.
What parks are near Warm Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Warm Springs, VA that allow camping, notably Monongahela National Forest and George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.
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