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
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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
Dawna C
VerifiedAugust 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 56, Loop: 2
Take toilet paper. There is no camp house in campground 2. Was out of paper from Tuesday till midday Wednesday.
Thomas A
VerifiedAugust 27, 2024 • Stayed at: 57, Loop: 2
This lake and campground is a hidden gem
Jeffrey C
VerifiedAugust 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: 1
Nice camp sites and clean vault toilets. This campground is remote with no cell service. There is no firewood available at the campground, so grab some on your way in. Nearest town was 30 minute drive. Be bear aware - keep food stored safely. Lake water is super clear, we enjoyed spending the day at the beach.
Lisa C
VerifiedAugust 1, 2024 • Stayed at: 88, Loop: 3
Beautiful lake and campground
Bradley L
VerifiedJuly 31, 2024 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: 1
After the month of June the water is extremely low and you must walk a good distance from your campsite to get to it. Sites 23, 25, 26, 27, 28 etc… are not premium water front sites after the month of June. There should be an added alert on water levels prior to booking so others traveling a good distance know this information.
Reece B
VerifiedJuly 29, 2024 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: 1
Nice campground. Sites are decent size. Bathrooms are very clean. It would be nice if there were more employees at the campground. This was our first visit and when we arrived there were no maps of the campground /hiking trails available. Our host in our circle wasn't present until our last day so we never did find out about the hiking trails. Water levels at the reserve are very low especially in the swimming area.
Bruce B
VerifiedJuly 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: 1
No water, power or bathroom for 3 days.
Richard B
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: 1
The trip was good but the water situation there needs attention . You could not drink the water, someone needs to do something about that . The district manger Ronald Lewis seem to be dragging his feet over this. I hope somebody can relay this message to him.
Jeff M
VerifiedJuly 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: 2
This was our second summer camping at Bolar Mountain. We really enjoyed ourselves in 2023, but it was clear then that staffing issues were impacting services. It appeared to us that this summer those staffing issues have largely been resolved. Camp sites and services were well-maintained and staffed. We normally reserve a lake-side camp site, which are wonderful. Definitely our go-to summer camping destination.
Christopher B
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: 1
Water and restroom facility issues. The past 2 or 3 times we have stayed there are water issues or restroom facility issues and you can't use either. We pay for these services in our reservation but we never get to use them. When these go out you can't even dump your waste from your camper. This is a nice and very much used campground that desperately needs upgrades in utilities. Please upgrade or lower rates to make campers whole for utilities or facilities they don't get to use.
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.
