Warning
GeneralWe are currently replacing the Bolar Mountain wastewater treatment plant and are uncertain how this project will affect our 2026 recreation season offerings. Sugar Ridge Campground and Campground 1 at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area will initially open for first come first served camping to begin the 2026 recreation season. The Beach Area will initially open as well. There will be limited amenities and port-o-potties will be utilized. Morris Hill Campground will be open and reservations can be made through recreation.gov. The Picnic Pavilion will remain closed. The facilities are tentatively scheduled to open on May 15th. We will communicate any changes that may occur due to ongoing construction and improvement of these recreation sites. Please contact the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District office at 540-839-2521 if you have questions.
About Bolar Mountain Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 85
Campground Amenities
-
Potable Water
Sites & Availability
85 Sites Available
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Site Details
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85 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (191)
What Guests Are Saying
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers a beautiful and serene environment with clear waters perfect for swimming and fishing, attracting many returning visitors. Camp sites are spacious and well-maintained, and the bathrooms are generally clean. However, some reviewers noted issues with overgrown vegetation, maintenance of facilities, and limited access to firewood and supplies, suggesting areas for improvement. Overall, visitors appreciate the area's natural beauty and the peaceful camping experience it provides.
What Guests Are Saying
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers a beautiful and serene environment with clear waters perfect for swimming and fishing, attracting many returning visitors. Camp sites are spacious and well-maintained, and the bathrooms are generally clean. However, some reviewers noted issues with overgrown vegetation, maintenance of facilities, and limited access to firewood and supplies, suggesting areas for improvement. Overall, visitors appreciate the area's natural beauty and the peaceful camping experience it provides.
Review Summary
Brad C
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 82, Loop: 3
The Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is an awesome place to camp. We like its remote location. The area is beautiful. The only issue we see is the lack of good management. It doesn't appear to have had much attention. The marina was closed all year, no place on site to purchase ice or firewood, Sugar Ridge camping area was closed all year due to lack of maintenance. Hopefully with the forestry service taking over this year things will change and some investments funds will be invested for the betterment of the campgrounds located at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area.
Terri T
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 79, Loop: 3
Beautiful lake and cam ground
Leslie P
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 85, Loop: 3
Bolar Mountain is really beautiful. We enjoyed it very much, as did our dog. Our campsite could easily access the water. Easy to launch a kayak, canoe or paddle board. Most of the other sites were full of RVs with large family groups. While there is nothing wrong with that, we were looking for a little more peace and quiet. The staff was very friendly and the campsite was well kept.
Lyle W
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: 1
We were disappointed that the marina wasn’t open as we had really looked forward to boating. I didn’t see anything about that on the website. Also when we arrived, the previous campers at 2 sites we had hadn’t left yet, so we had to wait an hour to get our sites. The bathrooms are in need of updating and cleaning. The campground hosts were very nice and helpful at campground #1. The lake is beautiful!
Stanley J
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2021 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: 1
Nice area
Celia H
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: 1
Very quiet clean campground.
Karen Y
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: 2
Great camp host! Very pleasant and kept everything clean!
lou h
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 50, Loop: 2
Lake Moomaw is the best!
Janice W
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 89, Loop: 3
Beautiful location. It needs a great deal of maintenance. The host does a good job but he can only do so much. Showers broken nothing open and not enough facilities for the amount of people.
Linda J
VerifiedAugust 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: 1
Lake beautiful. Safety none. No service, no emergency phone, hostess had no phone, only radio. And there is only ONE Ranger assigned to this whole area. No limit on dogs, so several dogs all barking and no signs for doggy pick up, dogs allowed running loose on the beach.
Beautiful lake. Sure hope monies allotted to this National Park is used for the PARK and more help is allotted to this area. There is no marina or rental boats as advertised. Guess it was vandalized and now closed.
Hope the improvements are approved and completed. The hosts were friendly and doing a great job on the bathroom facilities but need help with reinforcement of rules.
Location Bolar Mountain Recreation Area
Address:
756 Twin Ridge Drive
Warm Springs, VA, 24484
United States
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.**
Latitude & Longitude: 37.9836 / -79.9669
Elevation: 491 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Additional first-come, first-served sites may be available |
| General |
Full RV hookups are not available |
| General |
Click here for more information on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests |
| General |
Check out the forest's campground description for specific information to Fish Your National Forest |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralWe are currently replacing the Bolar Mountain wastewater treatment plant and are uncertain how this project will affect our 2026 recreation season offerings. Sugar Ridge Campground and Campground 1 at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area will initially open for first come first served camping to begin the 2026 recreation season. The Beach Area will initially open as well. There will be limited amenities and port-o-potties will be utilized. Morris Hill Campground will be open and reservations can be made through recreation.gov. The Picnic Pavilion will remain closed. The facilities are tentatively scheduled to open on May 15th. We will communicate any changes that may occur due to ongoing construction and improvement of these recreation sites. Please contact the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District office at 540-839-2521 if you have questions.
