Virginia / Rockbridge County / Jefferson National Forest

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Closed — Closed for the winter. Reopens early April through late October. Reservations available via Recreation.gov.

About

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is a scenic mountain retreat in the Jefferson National Forest, featuring a 7-acre lake constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s using natural rock buttresses to form a 35-foot dam. The campground offers 41 campsites, with 28 reservable sites and 13 first-come, first-served sites, each equipped with a picnic table, lantern post, and campfire ring with grill. The recreation area provides diverse activities including swimming at a designated sandy beach, fishing (youth-only from April 1 to June 15, then open to all ages with valid licenses), and hiking on multiple trails. The Panther Knob Trail skirts the lake's edge to the dam, while the Wildcat Trail climbs the mountain in a loop back to the campground. The Appalachian Trail, James River Face Wilderness, and Thunder Ridge Wilderness are nearby for extended hiking and backpacking adventures. With easy access from I-81, Cave Mountain Lake is ideally positioned near historic Lexington (20 minutes) and Natural Bridge State Park (8 miles), making it a perfect base for exploring Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The main entrance gate is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with day use areas open until sunset.

Directions

From I-81 Northbound: Take exit 175. Turn left onto US 11 and continue 2 miles into Natural Bridge. Turn right onto VA 130 East and continue approximately 3.2 miles. Turn right on SR 759 for 3.2 miles. Turn right on SR 781; the Cave Mountain Lake entrance is 1.6 miles ahead on the left. From I-81 Southbound: Take exit 180A (left side exit). Continue on US 11 south into Natural Bridge. Turn left onto VA 130 East and follow directions above.

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