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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No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
Julie M
VerifiedJuly 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: 1
Would like to see enforcement of dogs being on leads/leashes.
Would like to see enforcement of additional cars not being parked in road of the sites and in the dump station areas.
Lisa S
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: 1
Just ask that guest follow the rules. Leash dogs please.
Donnie S
VerifiedJuly 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 55, Loop: 2
The weather was great! The bathrooms were clean! The camp host always tried to solve any problem that might come up. We are looking forward to being there again next year.
Daniel E
VerifiedJuly 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 61, Loop: 3
Very limited presence of park attendants, no one for direction. Facilities adequate in comparison to other recreation.gov facilities but short of the mark. Secluded and quiet. Adequate space in assigned location with easy pull in and out. No store or close by facility if missing essential items for camping. I recommend with some reservations.
Jim R
VerifiedJuly 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: 2
The marina store is closed for this season so the Mountain Grove Store/Gas Station (on Rt 39, left off of Bolar Draft Rd) is the closest location for gasoline and necessities. It also has cell service at the parking lot. The only other location where cell service is reliably available within the campgrounds is near site #32 (Loop 1) down by the water. This spot has never failed me for Verizon service.
Christopher B
VerifiedJuly 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: 1
Campground and bath house is very clean. I would love to see more electric sites by the water and water throughout.
Karl B
VerifiedJuly 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: 1
Its still nice but not kept up as well as it used to be. Seems like it might be heading towards being shut down hope not
Ray M
VerifiedJuly 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: 1
This was a stopping point, not a destination. Getting here was a bit of a challenge, because the sun had gone down, and there was a narrow road along the edge to go up. We got in, and set up no problem. The vault toilets were nearby and well stocked. This campground was fairly well populated, but we had no problem accessing our spot. We had a good view through the coverage of the night sky, and I was able to get some good photos of the moon.
The site was a standard, non-electric. It handled our vehicle well, and I'm not sure that it would have handled much more. We had the standard fire ring and tent pad. We also had a path to the water, which in the morning gave us some great views.
It certainly would have been more favorable to get here a couple hours earlier while we still had some light, so that the trip up was not as ... treacherous... but regardless, we had a good spot in a good area. I'm glad that we chose this location. I imagine that had we chosen this location as a destination, we would have been able to make some great use of the natural features around us.
ioan P
VerifiedJuly 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 52, Loop: 2
Beautiful place
Kimberly B
VerifiedJuly 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 89, Loop: 3
Just all around perfect!
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.
