Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

I reserved two adjacent sites back in December 2022, because Bolar Mountain is our favorite campground and we have been going there since the 1980's. We were under the impression that all water and waste disposal issues had been resolved and we were greatly disappointed when we arrived on June 14, 2023, and found port-a-potties set up and no shower facilities open. Furthermore, the port-a-potties were not being serviced and maintained properly and the stink was almost unbearable. One day, a USFS employee was observed poking the contents of the portable potty with a stick and then throwing the stick into the brush. On top of those issues, the camp host was AWOL and there was nowhere to purchase firewood. My wife and I were in our camper one site, so the rest of our family, who were in tents the next in site, were able to use our bathroom to a limited degree, because the gray water and black water tank filled up quickly and the dump station was also closed. An email was sent out (after we had already arrived and set up camp) that advised campers of the above issues, but there is no wifi or cellphone reception there, so we did not get the email until after we returned home on June 20, 2023.

Before this negative experience, we have been camping at Bolar Rec for about 22 years. Every trip has always been amazing. We waited patiently while the grounds were closed to rebuild the sewer system. You cannot imagine how happy we were to see it was reopened! We arrived to find the bathrooms were closed. This was a big problem for our tent camping friends who required flush toilets and hot showers. There was no firewood available to purchase anywhere in the campground. We were in loop B and the host was never there. We checked several times a day every day for 4 days and no one was at the host B site. We went to loop C and talked to that host looking for help - she was rude... ran us off and told us we were not allowed to come into loop C. Then as we left the campgrounds, we discovered that the dump stations were closed and we were expected to haul our sewage back over the steep mountain and back home with us. When we go to other camps without hosts, bathrooms, or dump stations it is usually a $5 per night fee. Bolar was very expensive for the complete lack of amenities and support. The notice about the bathrooms should have been sent out in an email earlier so we could adjust our plans accordingly. Also, signs should have been posted that teh dump stations were closed so campers using an RV tank could know how to plan.

The bath houses were closed which made it ruff with three kids, and we were under camera surveillance in our site the whole time which is strange. Not sure why camp sites have cameras on them.

Bathrooms/showers were closed and replaced with very disgusting portalets that were full and practically overflowing. Ruined the experience.

I love this place so much. 0 complaints. Plan ahead with your driving instructions.

Lake Moomaw is beautiful. We have been camping here for 30 years and always enjoy it. The camp store was closed this season, and we hope it will return for ice and other essentials.

As, always, excellent!

A+++++++++++++

Bolar Mountain is such a wonder area and campground. I hope improvements will be made in the future including adding electric and water to more sites so more campers can enjoy this beautiful area. Also I would like to see the campground stay open later in the fall when the weather is so nice. I'm sure it would stay full.

Bathrooms were not clean. The beach area is very rocky, sand would be nice.