Sherando Lake Group Camp
Sherando Lake Group Camp is a part of the Sherando Lake Recreation Area and is popular with family groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, church groups and other local organizations. The recreation area is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming and relaxing.
More like this: reservable in Virginia · tent only in Virginia · group sites in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 5 |
Site guide
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Partial | 15 / – | Yes |
| G2 | Partial | 15 / – | Yes |
| G3 | Partial | 15 / – | Yes |
| G4 | Partial | 15 / – | Yes |
| G5 | Partial | 15 / – | 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 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The five tent-only group campsites are located around the outside of the looping road. Each site can accommodate a maximum of 15 guests, or a large group can reserve all 5 sites to fit no more than 75 guests. Each site is delineated with fencing and is equipped with picnic tables, a grill, lantern posts, and a serving table. A bathhouse with flush toilets and showers is located at the upper end of the loop and a vault toilet is located at the lower end of the loop. The bathhouse was replaced during the 2019 season. Drinking water is available at each site. Food storage lockers are currently not available, but all food must be secured in a locked vehicle. Violators are subject to a fine.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-64, take Exit 96 just east of Stuarts Draft. Go south on State Route 624, which becomes State Route 664 at Lyndhurst. Continue south on State Route 664 approximately 8 miles to the entrance for Sherando Lake Recreation Area on the right. The gatehouse is approximately 0.5 miles ahead.
| Nearest town | Natural Bridge, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37.9297° N, 78.9797° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Swimming is not allowed in the upper lake.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Trading Post ↗ | 25.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | R.B. Taylor & Sons ↗ | 41.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miBlue Loop Parking1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miSherando Cliff0.8 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.4 miSherando Lakeside1.2 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.4 miSherando Dam0.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.4 miTorry Ridge ↗7.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miMills Creek ↗6.8 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.
Public land it sits in
Three Ridges Wilderness begins about 3.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.1 miThree Ridges Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,607 acres
- 4.7 miSaint Mary's Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 9,826 acres
- 7.1 miPriest Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,994 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The group camp is located at the upper end of the Sherando Lake Recreation Area near the 7 acre upper lake. The group campsites are located around the outer portion of the loop with a large grass field on the interior of the loop for activities and games. The open grassy field provides an excellent opportunity for night time star gazing.
Recreation
The 25 acre Lower Lake offers opportunities for swimming in a designated area with a sand beach, accessible ramp to the water's edge, and a beach bathhouse with changing and shower facilities. Fishing and boating are also available outside the designated swimming area in the lake. Fishing is in stocked waters during the spring and fall seasons. Visitors will need to have the appropriate Virginia fishing license, National Forest stamp and trout stamp. Boats with gasoline motors are not permitted on the lower lake - electric troll motors, canoes, kayaks, or similar boats only. A hand-carry ramp is available for access to the lake adjacent to the parking area. Fishing only is available at the 7 acre Upper Lake. This lake is also stocked during the spring and fall seasons and the appropriate licenses are required. Boats are allowed, but there is no launch access - hand carry only. Parking is available at a small area below the group camp area and a walking trail will lead you to the lake.
Nearby
There are opportunities for gas, groceries, and firewood at convenience stores and local vendors along the state road to Sherando Lake. Ice can be purchased at the Sherando Lake Visitor Center during operating hours, which vary seasonally. Additional supplies can be obtained in Stuarts Draft, about a 15 minute drive away. The Blue Ridge Parkway with its scenic overlooks and ridgetop views is a short 3 mile drive up State Route 664 from the Sherando Lake entrance. The Wintergreen Resort offers a golf course and ski area within 10 miles of Sherando Lake.
Guidebooks for 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 Sherando Lake Group Camp?
Sites at Sherando Lake Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sherando Lake Group Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Sherando Lake Group Camp have?
5 sites, including 5 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Sherando Lake Group Camp?
Sherando Lake Group Camp is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Sherando Lake Group Camp?
A bathhouse with flush toilets and showers is located at the upper end of the loop and a vault toilet is located at the lower end of the loop.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sherando Lake Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Sherando Lake Group Camp?
The 25 acre Lower Lake offers opportunities for swimming in a designated area with a sand beach, accessible ramp to the water's edge, and a beach bathhouse with changing and shower facilities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sherando Lake Group Camp?
Natural Bridge, Virginia. There are opportunities for gas, groceries, and firewood at convenience stores and local vendors along the state road to Sherando Lake.
Source: Getting there
What if Sherando Lake Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sherando Lake Recreation Area Family Camping (1.8 mi), Loft Mountain Campground (27.7 mi), and North River Campground (30.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby