West Virginia / Hardy County / George Washington National Forest / Wardensville Wildlife Management Area

Trout Pond Recreation Area

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Reopens in spring with day use available April through December and camping from early May through October.

About

Trout Pond Recreation Area is a family-friendly mountain destination in George Washington National Forest featuring two distinct lakes. Rock Cliff Lake is a 17-acre man-made lake with a maximum depth of 36 feet, regularly stocked with trout and offering a sandy beach, designated swimming area, and all types of boating from motorboats to sailboats. A trail surrounds the entire lake providing bank fishing access. Trout Pond holds the distinction of being West Virginia's only natural lake, created by a sinkhole that filled with mountain stream water and runoff from Long Mountain. It's home to native brook trout and offers its own swimming area and easy lakeside trails. The Trout Pond Loop is a 4-mile trail with an optional 2-mile side route to a Rock Cliff Lake overlook, while connecting trails provide steep climbs up Long and Devil's Hole Mountains for more challenging hikes. The campground offers single and double sites with optional electric hookups. Day use facilities include picnic areas, a children's playground, and restrooms with showers during the camping season. The recreation area operates from a base in Hardy County with fees collected at an entrance station.

Directions

From Strasburg, VA, follow State Route 55 west for 18 miles to Wardensville, WV. Turn left on SR 23/10 (Trout Run Road) and travel approximately 6 miles. Turn right on CR 16 (Thorny Bottom Road) and travel 6 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 500 (Trout Pond Campground Road) and continue 1 mile to the entrance station.

Nearby Campgrounds