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FacilityCampgroundRecreation.gov⛺ 125 campsites

BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA

Hot Springs, Virginia · Bath County · Campground

Overview Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect! Recreation Boating, canoeing, water skiing …

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37.98361, -79.96694
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5-Day Forecast

Weather at BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA

Live forecast for the park. Plan your visit accordingly.

Avg High71°F
Avg Low54°F
Peak Rain Chance46%
Humidity79%
UV (avg)4
Air Quality47 · Good
Today
🌦
Drizzle
82°/61°
💧 4%🌬 12mph
↑ 7:16 AM ↓ 7:01 PM
Sat
🌧
Rain
70°/56°
💧 46%🌬 9mph
↑ 7:17 AM ↓ 6:59 PM
Sun
🌦
Light Drizzle
62°/56°
💧 43%🌬 3mph
↑ 7:18 AM ↓ 6:58 PM
Mon
🌦
Light Drizzle
76°/52°
💧 1%🌬 9mph
↑ 7:19 AM ↓ 6:56 PM
Tue
☁️
Overcast
66°/44°
🌬 6mph
↑ 7:20 AM ↓ 6:55 PM

Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.

About BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA

Overview Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect! Recreation Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which has a modern dock with boat slips. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook. Looking for a more primitive experience? Hike or boat to Greenwood Point for dispersed camp sites. Facilities We have four campgrounds here at Bolar Mountain Recreation area; Sugar Ridge, Campground 1, Campground 2 & Campground 3 respectively. Each campground has "Prime" sites which have a view and/or direct access to the lake, those seeking electric sites will find most of their options at Campground 1 followed by 2 & 3. Potable water taps can be found throughout each camp along with flush toilets and showers. Individual camp sites have a picnic table, lantern post, a fire ring and a Camp Host to answer any questions/concerns you may encounter. Campers can empty their waste tanks at one of the two dump stations at Campground 1 or Campground 2. Natural Features The campground sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake is held by Gathright Dam, constructed in the 1980's by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline making it the second largest impoudment in western virginia.Bolar Mountain is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which span 1.8 million acres across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. The forest protects 40 tr

Photos

How to Get There

Know your route ahead of time, cell service will be intermitten if available at all. From Covington, take 220 North to Hwy 39 and turn left on Hwy 39. Take Hwy 39 to Hwy 600 (Bolars Draft Road) and turn left on Hwy 600 towards the campgrounds. After about 7.5 miles turn right on Twin Ridge Drive for all campgrounds. Stay straight to head towards the store & marina, an overlook of the lake and McClintic Point. **GPS often routes vehicles to take Richardson Gorge rd. via the Jackson River tpk. This route is NOT SUGGESTED for travel, especially when towing. It's a narrow dirt road with steep soft edges. Multiple accidents occur on this road each year.**

Driving directions (Google Maps) →

Campsites at BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA

125 campsites at this campground.

Showing 24 of 125 campsites.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

👔 What to Wear

  • 👕
    Moisture-wicking T-shirt
    Light color, breathable.
  • 🩳
    Lightweight shorts or pants
    Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
  • 🧢
    Brimmed sun hat
    Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
  • 🥾
    Trail runners
    Breathable mesh uppers.
  • ☔
    Rain jacket / shell
    46% chance of precipitation in the forecast.

🎒 What to Pack

  • 💧
    Water
    Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
  • 🍫
    High-energy snacks
    A snack for the trail.
  • 🧴
    Sun protection
    Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
  • 🩹
    First-aid kit
    Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
  • 🗺
    Offline map
    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 BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA

Heading to BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA? 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 BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA?

No central reservation system listed for BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234557) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How many campsites are at BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA?

BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA has 125 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.

How do I get to BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA?

Know your route ahead of time, cell service will be intermitten if available at all. From Covington, take 220 North to Hwy 39 and turn left on Hwy 39. Take Hwy 39 to Hwy 600 (Bolars Draft Road) and turn left on Hwy 600 towards the campgrounds. After about 7.5 miles turn right on Twin Ridge Drive for all campgrounds. Stay straight to head towards the store & marina, an overlook of the lake and McCl…

How do I contact BOLAR MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA?

You can reach the park at phone: 540-279-4144.