Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

About

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp sits in a scenic pocket of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains within George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. The centerpiece is a 7-acre lake constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, using natural rock buttresses to form a 35-foot dam. A grassy field extends from the sandy beach to forested hillsides that create a picturesque backdrop for camping. The campground offers 41 reservable sites including one double site that accommodates up to 12 people. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring with grill. Facilities include flush toilets and water spigots distributed throughout, plus a bathhouse with warm showers located across from Site #20. There are no hookups, making this best suited for tent camping and self-contained RVs. Recreation centers on the lake, which offers designated swimming with a sand beach. Youth fishing (ages 15 and under) runs April 1 through June 15, after which all ages may fish with proper Virginia licenses. Multiple hiking trails depart from the campground, including the Panther Knob Trail skirting the lake and the Wildcat Trail climbing to mountain ridges. Historic Lexington and Natural Bridge State Park are a short drive away.

Directions

From I-81 North, take Exit 175 south of Natural Bridge. Go north on US Highway 11. Turn right at the Natural Bridge parking lot onto Route 130 East. Continue approximately 4 miles to Natural Bridge Station. Turn right onto State Route 759 for about 3 miles, then turn right onto State Route 781. Turn left into the recreation area and bear left at the Y intersection into the campground. From I-81 South, take Exit 180 (left exit) and continue south to Natural Bridge, then turn left onto Route 130 East and follow the same directions.