Trout Pond Recreation Area
Trout Pond Recreation Area boasts two bodies of water, Rock Cliff Lake and Trout Pond. Relax on a sandy mountain beach or fish for stocked trout while relaxing along the cool waters of Rock Cliff Lake. Trout Pond, home to native Brook trout, is the only natural lake in West Virginia. A designated swimming area, easy lakeside trails, and a children's playground make this a perfect family destination.
More like this: electric hookups in West Virginia · reservable in West Virginia · big rigs in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia · group sites in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 35 |
| Standard with electric | 11 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
| Host/management | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
47 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 014 | DOUB | Electric | Back-in | 99 | Gravel | 20/30 amp | 16 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 033 | DOUB | Standard | Back-in | 99 | Gravel | No | 16 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 034 | DOUB | Standard | Back-in | 99 | Gravel | No | 16 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 00A | PICA | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Gravel | 20 amp | 100 / 15 | Yes | ||||
| 001 | SING | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 20/30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | SING | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 20/30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 004 | SING | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 20/30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 006 | SING | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 20/30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 008 | SING | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 20/30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 010 | SING | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 20/30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 014, 033, 034, 00A and 48 more are listed accessible |
Campsites come with a campfire ring and picnic table, and some of have electric hookups. Hot showers and flush toilets are an easy walk away from each site. The day-use area includes a white-sand swim beach, boat ramp, showers, playground and 30 picnic sites.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | early-May to October |
| Forest | George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
| Booking | Trout Pond Reservation Information on recreation.gov |
| Fees | Day use fee is $8/vehicle up to 8 passengers and $2 per person for vans and buses carrying more than 8 passengers and walk-ins. $25 per single campsite per night. $40 per double campsite per night. $7 E-hookup fee. We currently do not accept credit/debits cards at this campground. |
| Rules | Alcoholic beverages prohibited. |
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From Strasburg, VA, follow State Route 55 west for 18 miles to Wardensville, WV. Turn left on SR 23/10, and travel for about 6 miles. Turn right on CR 16, and travel for 6 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 500, and drive about 1 mile to the Trout Pond Recreation Area entrance.
| Nearest town | Lost City, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.9528° N, 78.7347° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Group shelter nonelectric 1-50 people $65, 51-100 people $100, standard non electric is $19.00 per night
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Appalachian Outdoor Adventures ↗ | 24.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Road Trip Camping ↗ | 59.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Trout Pond Recreation Area (WV) Campground Walk-Through | August 2021 | 4K
Worth a stop
- 0.3 miTrout Pond Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miOld Pond0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miRockcliff Lake0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miChimney Rock0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miTrout Pond2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miLong Mountain ↗8.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miNorth Mountain ↗54.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Lost River General StoreBuilding · Lost River · 3.7 mi
- Henry Funkhouser Farm and Log HouseBuilding · Baker · 5.2 mi
- John Mathias HouseBuilding · Mathias · 8.8 mi
Natural features
Rock Cliff Lake is a 17-acre man-made lake with a maximum depth of 36 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. Trout Pond, the naturally formed lake, was created by a sinkhole that filled with mountain stream water and run-off from Long Mountain. Trout Pond can vary in waterflow.
Recreation
A trail surrounding the entire lake provides bank fishing access at Rock Cliff Lake. All types of boating from motor to sailboats are welcome. Hike the Trout Pond Loop trail, an easy 4-mile excursion, with an optional 2-mile side route, to an overlook of Rockcliff Lake. For a more challenging hike, a connecting trail provides a steep climb up Long and Devil's Hole Mountains.
Guidebooks for West Virginia
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Sites at Trout Pond Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Trout Pond Reservation Information on recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Day use fee is $8/vehicle up to 8 passengers and $2 per person for vans and buses carrying more than 8 passengers and walk-ins. $25 per single campsite per night. $40 per double campsite per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Trout Pond Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season early-May to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Trout Pond Recreation Area have?
52 sites, including 35 standard sites without power, 11 standard sites with power, and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Trout Pond Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Hot showers and flush toilets are an easy walk away from each site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Trout Pond Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Alcoholic beverages prohibited.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Sites 014, 033, 034, and 00A are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 52 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
A trail surrounding the entire lake provides bank fishing access at Rock Cliff Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation