Cave Mountain Lake Family Campground - Campground near Natural Bridge Station, Virginia, United States - Description

Cave Mountain Lake Family Campground

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is part of the Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area. This area is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and welcomes visitors who come to enjoy the rustic beauty and peacefulness of the area. In the late 1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps built a 7 acre lake using existing buttresses of natural rock to form a 35 foot high dam.

There are 29 campsites of a total 42 family campsites available for reservation. Facilities and improvements at each campsite include 1 picnic table, 1 fire ring with grill, 1 lantern pole, and 1 serving table. Flush toilets and water spigots are located throughout the loop. There are no electric, water or sewer hook-ups available in the campground. There is a maximum of 8 people per site, except for the double site where the maximum number of people is 12.

The 7 acre lake offers opportunities for swimming in a designated area with sand beach. The swimming area has no lifeguards, so visitors swim at their own risk. Boats are not allowed on the lake. Fishing is available from the waters edge outside the beach area. Visitors are responsible for having the appropriate state licenses and National Forest stamp prior to fishing. These are not sold at Cave Mountain Lake, but can be obtained in the local area.

Hiking trails surround the area offering everything from a short walk around the lake to a full day hike along the nearby ridges to backpacking trips along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and in either the James River Face Wilderness or the Thunder Ridge Wilderness.

Visitors to the National Forest are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations of the Forest and the area they are visiting. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts office at (540) 291-2188. Office hours are 8 am through 4:30 pm (Eastern time) Monday through Friday.

The nearest groceries and gas are located in nearby Lexington, Virginia about a 20 minute drive from Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area. Ice and other sundries can be obtained from small stores along State Route 759 as you enter the area. Cellular phone service is not reliable due to the area location and there is no pay phone available in the recreation area.

America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes are applicable for camping fees and holders are entitled to 1/2 price of the posted fees.

From Interstate 81N: Take exit 175 off I-81 just south of Natural Bridge. Go North on US Highway 11 towards Natural Bridge (left turn facing the Exxon station). In Natural Bridge follow Route 130 East at the intersection of US Highway 11 (right turn at the Natural Bridge attraction parking lot). Continue on Route 130 East for approximately 4 miles to Natural Bridge Station. * Turn right onto State Route 759 and continue for approximatley 3 miles. Turn right onto State Route 781. The entrance for Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area is approximately 1.6 miles ahead. Turn left into the recreation area and continue. The family campsites are located to the left of the "Y" at the bottom of the hill. To the right is the beach and swimming area, picnic area, and group camp area.

From Interstate 81S: Take exit 180 off I-81 just north of Natural Bridge, Virginia. Continue South on US Highway 11 towards Natural Bridge. Once in Natural Bridge (facing the attraction parking lot) turn left onto Route 130 East at the intersection with US Highway 11. Continue on Route 130 East for approximately 4 miles to Natural Bridge Station. At this point follow the directions above beginning at the * symbol.