Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp
Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and welcomes visitors to enjoy the rustic and peaceful getaway. Easy access from the interstate and close proximity to historic Lexington and the Natural Bridge State Park make Cave Mountain Lake an ideal destination.
More like this: reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia · dark sky in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 40 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
40 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 028 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| 029 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 030 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| 031 | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 032 | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 033 | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 034 | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 035 | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 036 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 037 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | 3.5 miles from Natural Bridge State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Site 006 is listed accessible |
Cave Mountain Lake offers 41 reservable campsites at this time. Amenities at each campsite include a picnic table, lantern post and campfire ring with grill. Flush toilets and water spigots are located throughout the campground. There is a bathhouse with warm water showers located across the road from Campsite #20. Each campsite can accommodate up to 8 people per site. Campsite #41-42 is considered a double campsite with space to accommodate up to 12 people. All camping requires a reservation prior to arriving. No first-come, first-serve sites.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I- 81 North, take Exit 175 just south of Natural Bridge. Go north on U.S. Highway 11. Turn right at the Natural Bridge parking lot onto Route 130 East. Continue for approximately 4 miles to Natural Bridge Station. Turn right onto State Route 759 and continue for about 3 miles, then turn right again onto State Route 781.
| Nearest town | Natural Bridge Station, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37.5758° N, 79.5342° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sharp Top Store ↗ | 10.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | MT Joy RV ↗ | 10.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
MidTrip Stop over in South Western Virginia at a great Campground - Cave Mountain Lake Cam
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miPanther Knob0.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.8 miWildcat Mountain ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.4 miWilson Mountain3.4 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.6 miSprouts Run ↗3.3 mi trail · hiking · national_recreation_or_other
- 2.4 miBelfast2.7 mi trail · hiking
- 3.3 miCornelius Creek ↗2.8 mi trail · hiking, bike · national_recreation_or_other
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
This campground sits inside George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- inGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,487,961 acres
- 2.3 miThunder Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 2,427 acres
- 2.9 miJames River Face Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,907 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
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Natural features
Cave Mountain Lake covers seven acres and was built in the late 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, using existing buttresses of natural rock to form a 35-foot dam. A grassy field extends from the lake's sandy beach to forested hills that paint a scenic backdrop.
Recreation
The 7 acre lake offers opportunities for swimming in a designated area which includes a sand beach. Fishing for youth only (ages 15 and under) is open from April 1st through June 15th, then fishing is open to anglers of all ages with a valid Virginia fishing license, trout stamp and National Forest stamp for the remainder of the season. There are several piers around the lake for better fishing access. A number of opportunities for photography, birding, and wildlife viewing are available along the trails and water's edge. Hiking trails surround the area, offering everything from a short walk around the lake to an all-day hike along the nearby ridges. The Panther Knob Trail starts beside the group picnic shelter and skirts the edge of the lake to the dam. The Wildcat Trail starts above campsites #41-42, climbs the mountain, then loops back to the campground above the volunteer host site in the upper camping loop. Visitors may also enjoy a day hike or backpacking trip on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, in the James River Face Wilderness, or in the Thunder Ridge Wilderness.
Nearby
Lexington, Virginia, just 20 minutes away, is home to several historic sites including the Stonewall Jackson House, George C. Marshall Museum and the Virginia Military Institute Museum. It's a charming town with horse drawn carriage rides through the streets. Ice and other sundries can be found at small stores along State Route 759 as you drive to Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area. Natural Bridge State Park is a short 8 mile drive away and offers visitors views of the 215 foot tall Natural Bridge and limestone gorge, 6 miles of hiking trails, a Monacan Indian Village, and the 30 foot cascade of Lace Falls.
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 Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Sites at Cave Mountain Lake Family 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 Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp have?
40 sites, including 40 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Flush toilets and water spigots are located throughout the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Site 006 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp good for stargazing?
Natural Bridge State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 3.5 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
The 7 acre lake offers opportunities for swimming in a designated area which includes a sand beach. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?
Natural Bridge Station, Virginia. Lexington, Virginia, just 20 minutes away, is home to several historic sites including the Stonewall Jackson House, George C.
Source: Getting there
What if Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp (under 0.1 mi), Hopper Creek Group Camp (1.8 mi), and North Creek (3.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby