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Activities
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Camping

Established Camping

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, near Warm Springs, Virginia, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a beautiful lake backdrop. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which are shaded and spacious, perfect for setting up camp and unwinding.

Visitors rave about the stunning views of Lake Moomaw, which is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The campground features picnic tables and fire rings, making it easy to gather around for meals and evening campfires. One camper noted, “Our spot was right there on the water,” highlighting the close proximity to the lake.

While the facilities are generally clean and well-kept, some campers have mentioned that the bathrooms could use a little TLC. The area is popular, especially during peak season, so it’s wise to bring your supplies since the nearest store is limited in offerings. As one reviewer put it, “There isn’t much around, so bring your supplies with you.”

For those who enjoy hiking, there are some trails nearby, though the focus here is more on water activities. The campground is a great base for exploring the natural beauty of George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Whether you're fishing, paddling, or just soaking in the scenery, Bolar Mountain is a solid choice for a camping trip.

Description

National Forest

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

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.

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.

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Location

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is located in Virginia

Detail location of campground

Directions

Know your route ahead of time, cell service will be intermitten if available at all. From 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.\*\*

Address

756 Twin Ridge Drive
Warm springs, VA 24484

Coordinates

37.9836111 N
79.9669444 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

24 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2024

Amazing

Pretty much what a campground should be. Absolutely 0 service. No place to get ice if you’re out. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.

Site26
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Chalang R., September 16, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2023

Nice shaded campground

We were in site #5. It was not level yet nothing in the mountains is level. The electric showed 30 & 50 amp yet the 30 amp was disconnected and that's what we need. We had to use the 50 amp hook up. The electric bo is on the wrong side of the site, most in this loop are on the wrong side. We filled with water this loop you have to fill with water. 

The site was nice sized and shaded. 

There isn't any cell service yet near the camp loop 2 the loop below ours behind spot #10 as you walk to the lake at a specific spot you can get service. 

The lake is beautiful. Our neighbor was catching nice fish out in his boat. Many different kinds of fish and very nice sized brown trout.

There is a swim beach which you can launch a kayak or canoe from the beach.

The Marina is closed yet there is a boat launch near the marina. 

They really need to update the campground area's  was told it was all closed for a few years too bad they didn't update the campgrounds. 

There isn't much around so bring your supplies with you. There is a small general store that sells somethings and gas but it's not a real grocery. They did sell excellent Virginia peanuts there. 

favorite campsites are:

Campground 1 

sites 9 and 2 were my favorite. Sites 2, 3, 9 & 10 the electric boxes are on the correct side.

Campground 2 sites 44 and 45 are nice with water & electric.

Sites 47, 50, 53, 54, 51 and 55 have no hook ups yet they are waterfront sites.

Campground 3 there is a boat & trailer storage area. 

Best sites are 69 and 70 with water & electric.

No hook ups 64, 88 and 89 are waterfront.

They had a problem with the water in our loop so the bath house was closed and they had port o potties in front of the bath house. The day use area is big and was not crowded at all. There were many people camping in our loop it was very quiet.

Site5
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by B M., September 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by B M., September 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by B M., September 1, 2023
  • (19) View All
Reviewed Sep. 8, 2021

Nice spot but it’s a party zone

Lake Moomaw is nice though it has the distinctive bathtub ring of a reservoir. We had a “premium” campsite in loop 1 that was right off the water, which was very nice. The bathrooms in the main loop with showers were nice and clean, the pit toilet on the premium sites had a bad fly problem.

The main downside with this site seems to be the problem endemic to most campgrounds where people bring their motor boats - loud shitty country music blasting from both the boats and the campsites, people partying late at night, loud motors all day, etc.

There are a few reviews that says that there are great hiking options, which I don’t really agree with. There are a few trails and they are pleasant enough but this is a boating area and the trail options are very limited.

Anyways, I think this place would be heaven if they banned motor boats and left the lake to canoes and kayaks. As is, it’s a very nice spot with tons of noise pollution and loud neighbors.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2021

Perfect lake camping

Our spot was right there on the water, there are bathrooms at the top of the hill. Campsites are drive up and can fit 2 vehicles. The spot also has a fire ring and picnic tables.

I didn’t have cell service and you are pretty close to a lot of other people and RVs, but still a great spot.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Emily T., August 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Emily T., August 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Emily T., August 12, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2021

Amazing site

Very quite site and the most amazimg views. Will go out of my way to camp there again!

Site16
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2021

Bolar Mountain

This place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service.

SiteSite 29
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Blake B., June 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Blake B., June 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Blake B., June 9, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 5, 2021

Beautiful campground surrounding site 34 at Bolar Mountain Campground

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.

First off, sorry for the audio on the video we uploaded.  It seems in March of 2021 I was diagnosed with having lung cancer and it is pinching the never of my left vocal cord so I'll I can use now is my right vocal cord.

Now, given that information, we decided to camp at Bolar Mountain Campground for a few days. We arrived the week before Memorial Day since it worked out better with my chemo treatments. We reserved site 34 and it was a perfect site. It's basically a corner lot which worked out great for us. It's little hike to the bathrooms but not to bad of an incline.

The bathrooms were clean and so were the showers. Everything was great. Access to a small store is not far away. The owner of the little store is very nice and helpful. Stop by and see him if you choose to come camp here.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

https://youtu.be/VIjZYIG58Ks

SiteSite 34
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 5, 2021

Beautiful, but Busy

This campground is super popular, and for good reason. Lake Moomaw is beautiful! There are also trails nearby, so it's a great spot for paddling or hiking. We also saw a number of groups tubing/floating on the lake. The campground was nearly full, but it was still quiet throughout the weekend. The sites aren't large, but can comfortably fit a tent or two as well as one or two cars. 

The lake was also really warm in June and felt great while swimming!

Site39
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Brittany B., May 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Brittany B., May 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Brittany B., May 5, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2019

Nice Trip

Camped at Douthat State Park. Great area for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. Nice Lake Moomaw views ☀️ ⛵️🛶

  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by RL , September 23, 2019
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by RL , September 23, 2019
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by RL , September 23, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2019

The park is amazing with great hiking trails!

You can fish in the lake right from your campsite. We caught a couple of huge catfish! Though the park facilities are starting to show some wear(bathrooms and showers), the spacious camping sites are in great condition and offer excellent lake or forest views. This we stayed on Site 114 on the Sugar Ridge Camping loop. Our site 114 was nice, but sites on Campground 2 and 3 offer better lake views, especially site 51. The marina offers boat rentals and a small store for supplies. Very inexpensive to rent a canoe and explore the lake. 

The only drawback of this park is that campers are allowed to run generators from 6AM to 10PM and camper's dogs are left unattended to bark all day. Quite noisy at times!

  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by GoWhereYouAreDraw N., July 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by GoWhereYouAreDraw N., July 1, 2019
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2019

Great place to go!!!

My friend and i went here and we had the best time. Great staff and great views. Cant wait to go back again.

  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Nicholas S., June 23, 2019
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2018

Beautiful lake, large sites

It’s out of the way but the roads are good and it’s worth the trip. Huge sites, nice bathrooms, hot water, beautiful lake.

SiteSite 15. Campground 1
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Nancy M., October 22, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2018

Serene with amazing views

I stayed here for 1 night. It was the perfect resting stop on my road trip to the Smoky Mountains. 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. The camp host sells firewood. The campground is quiet and provides a lot of privacy. The lake beach is within walking distance from campground 1, with picnic tables and a pavilion. There is also a small dock where you can fish. Loves this place, will definitely come back.

  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Maria Belen  S., August 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Maria Belen  S., August 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Maria Belen  S., August 17, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2018

Beautiful!

Set on a gorgeous lake, hiking trails, a nice clean beach for swimming. This place is perfect for a camping trip for th family. We stayed in campground 2, which had more privacy than the other campground loops. The sites were wooded and spacious, close to the other sites yet far enough apart with wooded separation to provide an element of privacy. Plus, it was about 15 degrees cooler on a 100 degree weekend at our home only 2 hours away.

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2018

Beautiful

my husband and I came for a day just to check it out. we actually stayed in the rv part, but the host was a really sweet older gentleman and he wanted to make sure we got the best view, we went in the beginning of June and it was kind cold that night, we had a fun time and will be back soon.

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2018

Excellent Mountain View on a lake

We’ve camped here for the second time. The campground Bolar Mountain Rec Area is on Lake Moomaw. We had the pleasure of having a campsite with lake view and access both times. Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp. The campsite was spacious and shaded, they do offer doubles for larger groups. The bathrooms are flush toilets and have a shower. We like going during the week in the summer, it can get busy on the lake on weekends. Other than that it is quiet and we’ve never had a noise problem. There’s hiking, fishing and a beach. The marina has a store if you forgot something. Each campground has a host and they have firewood for sale, so bring cash.

SiteLoop 2 site 53
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Nicole  R., July 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Nicole  R., July 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Nicole  R., July 1, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2018

Scenic Camping at Lake Moomaw

Spent a relaxing long weekend at Lake Moomaw's Bolar Mountain Campground. Our camp hosts were friendly and very helpful. The views were amazing and beautiful. I can't wait to go back again, we loved it.

  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Kim R., June 25, 2018
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Kim R., June 25, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2018

Love this place

There is a marina and a store. The Lake is wonderful. There are 3-4 actual campgrounds. One is more for large groups like boy/girl scout troops. Easy access to the lake from marina or each campground. There is cell service a one spot. There is a big shelter with picnic tables near the marina for big family gatherings, birthdays, etc. It has a nice sandy beach.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 2, 2018

Swim

great place to rest your body after a long day and go swimming

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 27, 2018

Amazing family fun

Had an awesome time. Kids can’t stop talking about it

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2017

Bolar mountain/lake moomaw

Our stay at Bolar Mountain was awesome! We drove almost 5 hours from Pittsburgh to check it out and it was SO worth it! We reserved a primitive site online via recreation.gov (despite the fact that many sites are unreservable and are instead first come, first serve - we didn't want to chance it with the long drive). It was 6pm on a Friday when we arrived, check in booth was unoccupied but as we proceeded to our Sugar ridge site (very easy to find, sites clearly marked) we quickly located our camp host. Not a very enthusiastic host but he was nice, had firewood for sale at his site and drove his golf cart to the booth for us to purchase ice. 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. There's a Seperate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot. Bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at any campground and were a very short, convenient walk from our site! The site itself was very clean and had an oversized, solid picnic table. It had a lamppost and fire pit with a grate for cooking. Recommend foil as grate will be rusty for obvious reasons. We rented kayaks at the marina/camp store down the road and explored a little cove that was really cool. We blocked out 4 hours, but only lasted 2 hours before we got tired and returned the kayaks.

Site108 - Sugar Ridge
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Joanna G., August 21, 2017
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Joanna G., August 21, 2017
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Joanna G., August 21, 2017
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2016

Off the Beaten Path

This is a great campground on a beautiful lake. Well off the beaten path, it takes a little time to get there but it's worth the trip.

  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Scott P., June 29, 2016
  • Review photo of Bolar Mountain Recreation Area by Scott P., June 29, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Bolar Mountain Recreation Area have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Bolar Mountain Recreation Area has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

    Bolar Mountain Recreation Area allows vehicles up to 50 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Bolar Mountain Recreation Area have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Bolar Mountain Recreation Area does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area?

    There are 123 campsites at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts