Lake Moomaw sits at an elevation of 1,606 feet in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The 2,530-acre reservoir extends through a steep-sided valley with over 43 miles of shoreline. Primitive camping sites near Paint Bank typically range from 1,500-2,800 feet elevation where nighttime temperatures can drop below 50°F even in summer months.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Moomaw: Access prime fishing spots from Morris Hill Campground where anglers target bass, trout and other species. "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 Steven.
Hiking through National Forest: Multiple trail systems connect through the George Washington National Forest near Paint Bank. "There is a small bike/hike trail that takes you down to the lake and links up with another trail system. It's not that well kept with old markings and high brush," reports Angel K.
River activities: The New River and Greenbrier River systems provide excellent water recreation. "Just ignore the train that runs through across the River. Lots to do here with tent camping, RV, cabin rentals and even some nostalgic RV rentals," explains Rebecca F. about Greenbrier River Campground.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the direct lake access from certain sites. "Our site was across the road from the lake but there was a trail that lead to the water. The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming," reports Joanna G. about Bolar Mountain Recreation Area.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and amenities at established campgrounds receive positive reviews. "Bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at any campground and were a very short, convenient walk from our site," notes Joanna G.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The mountain setting provides chances to observe native species. "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," reports Robyn S. about Douthat State Park Campground.
What you should know
Weather challenges: Mountain weather can change quickly and affect camping conditions. "Site 034 Loop Morr... Average Daily Temp: 78, Average Nightly Tem: 64," reports Mike C. about Morris Hill, showing the significant temperature swing.
Road access limitations: Several campgrounds have difficult access roads. "How they navigated the winding steep park gravel road, is a mystery to me...the rains were eroding corners causing my truck to scrape," warns Dave V. about the route to Grandview Sandbar Campground.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "If you want a primitive site book well in advance. These are apparently quite a difficult ticket to score at this camp," advises Crystal C.
Train noise: Several riverside campgrounds experience railroad disturbances. "The really bad thing is that there is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7," cautions Mystic S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge offers structured entertainment for children near Paint Bank. "We had a great weekend with the whole family! There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!" shares Bridget H.
Swimming spots: Several locations offer safe swimming areas for children. "Lake moomaw is very pretty and just a few miles away to check out the dam, beach and boat ramps. Fishing seems very popular at this lake. Beach was small but pretty," notes Jennifer K.
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide ranger-led programs. "We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite," explains Angela J. about Claytor Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on rig size and access requirements. "White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," advises Jeremy W. about Babcock State Park Campground.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant leveling adjustments. "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," shares Jennifer K.
Luxury camping options: For those interested in glamping in Paint Bank, Virginia, several parks offer higher-end accommodations. "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," notes Jeremy W.
