Overview Choose from three day-use picnic shelters at R.D. Bailey Lake, a scenic reservoir with views of the surrounding tree-topped mountains.Recreation The lake is best known for boating and fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass and channel catfish. Hunting enthusiasts can hunt small game such as rabbits a…
Overview Choose from three day-use picnic shelters at R.D. Bailey Lake, a scenic reservoir with views of the surrounding tree-topped mountains.Recreation The lake is best known for boating and fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass and channel catfish. Hunting enthusiasts can hunt small game such as rabbits and turkey in-season. Head to the Visitor Center for interesting exhibits, educational programs and tours of the dam and intake structure. There's also an impressive observation deck with viewing telescopes. Facilities Each shelter has a playground, flush toilets, drinking water and plenty of grassy space for sports. All three are near excellent shore fishing areas as well. Big Branch Shelter Big Branch is close to the headwaters of the lake. It has the most space of the three shelters, with substantial room for extra cars and enough tables to seat 100 guests. Horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, and the largest, newest playground can be found here. The site is equipped with two grills and electric hookups. Guyandotte Point Day Use Shelter Guyandotte Point sits at the lake's headwaters, just a quarter mile past the Big Branch Recreation Area. This is the best location for those who plan to go boating, as it's the only location with a boat ramp. Electric hookups and a large charcoal grill are onsite. Visitor Center Day Use Shelter The Visitor Center Shelter is nearly 400 feet above the dam, offering spectacular views of the glistening lake. The shelter is, as named, right by the Visitor Center, which is worth a visit. It's also at the trailhead of two popular hiking trails and the Below Dam Fisherman's Access. Horseshoe pits are by the shelter. No electric hookups are available. Natural Features R. D. Bailey Lake Group Shelters are on the Guyandotte River in West Virginia, about three miles east of the town of Justice. The R. D. Bailey Dam reaches 310 feet high, and the lake's surface area in summer is 630 acres. The region of the Appalachia
Photos
R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERSR.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS
How to Get There
Big Branch From Charleston: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take state Route 10, then State Route 80 to Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop in Gilbert onto U.S. Route 52 South and travel approximately seven miles and turn left onto State Route 97. Travel Approximately two miles and turn left onto Coal Mountain Road(6/2). Take the Second Left to get to Guyandotte Point. Guyandotte Point From Charleston: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take state Route 10, then State Route 80 to Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop in Gilbert onto U.S. Route 52 South and travel approximately seven miles and turn left onto State Route 97. Travel Approximately two miles and turn left onto Coal Mountain Road(6/2). Take the Second Left to get to Guyandotte Point. Visitor Shelter From Charleston to the Visitor Shelter: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take State Route 10 passing through Man to State Route 80 in Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop onto U.S. Route 52 and travel approximately five miles. Take the second R.D. Bailey entrance to the left, and drive 1.1 miles to the Visitor Center Area.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS
Heading to R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS?
No central reservation system listed for R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234220) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS?
R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS has 3 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to R.D. BAILEY LAKE GROUP SHELTERS?
Big Branch From Charleston: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take state Route 10, then State Route 80 to Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop in Gilbert onto U.S. Route 52 South and travel approximately seven miles and turn left onto State Route 97. Travel Approximately two miles and turn left onto Coal Mountain Road(6/2). Take the Second Left to get to Guyandotte Point. Guyandotte Point F…
