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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.
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.
Cave Mountain Lake offers 28 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.
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.
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.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (540) 291-2188 for general information.
In Natural Bridge, VA, take State Rt. 130 for 3.2 miles through Natural Bridge Station, VA to Cave Mountain Lake sign (State Rt. 759). Turn right at sign onto Rt. 759 and go 3.2 miles to another Cave Mountain sign (State Rt. 781). [Caution: you will pass a State Rt. 781 sign at about 1.6 miles. Do not turn there, but rather later at the aforementioned sign.] Turn right onto Rt. 781 and go 1.6 miles to the Recreation Area sign and turn right. Follow signs to campground.
First time here and we absolutely fell in love with this simplistic, natural campground. No pool, no amenities, no hookups, no cell service…just quiet, peaceful, nature. Easy access from I-81 (less than 10 miles/ four turns). 41 reservable campsites, $20/night or $10/night with America the Beautiful Access Pass. The campground area/bathhouse was immaculate, with flush toilets and warm showers. Beautiful shady, private & level sites (we didn’t require any blocks/levelers). Four sets of camp hosts were present and all were awesome (Peter, Carol, Ronnie, Melissa…sorry if we can’t remember all)…they were so friendly & personable. We’re actually considering becoming volunteer campground hosts because of them! Most of the campsites have a wonderful accessible creek that runs thru the center …site#3 even has it’s own little bridge and sites#40 & 39 have a lovely large & sunny grassy area next to sites. Three pull-thru sites (sites 1, 4 & 20) and the buddy site (41 & 42) could accommodate rigs slightly over 30ft+ with truck/toad. The rest we would recommend 30ft or less. We were in site #26 with a 30ft and a longbed - backing in was slightly challenging, but doable - the rest of the site was large, with extra -long picnic table, lantern posts and fire pit w/cooking grate (other sites also had grills, tall grill tables and a kettle hooks over fire pit). Lots of tent campers were there during our stay and a handful of RV’s. There’s a lovely local couple that sells firewood at 84 Cave Mountain Rd/Rt 781…you’ll see their sign with a wheelbarrow of wood for $10 on the right side of the road, heading up to the campground. We bought two loads that lasted all week. All in all, this was a fabulous base camp for our travels on the BRP (4 miles away), quaint, awesome towns (Buchanan, Buena Vista, etc) and some scouting to points west toward West Virginia (1.5hrs to Bolar Mountain/Lake Moomaw). For couples, you’ll love Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery (spectacular sunset views, great wine and you can watch the safari animals graze below in valley), Halcyon Days Cider Co & Orchard Labyrinth (quirky atmosphere and delicious flights/snacks), and local flea & farmer’s markets. For families, The Pink Cadillac (try the Elvis burgers!), Virginia Gold Orchards (you pick ‘em), Hull Drive-In, Mane Gait Equestrian Center (also an awesome Harvest Host!), Layne’s Country Store (for all those, ‘oh, I forgot!’, local fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, groceries/deli and wine!), Natural Bridge State Park and Caverns, Buchanan Swinging Bridge and Virginia Safari Park - many on/or right off 11/Lee Hwy. Anything else you may need is also in Lexington (20mi) or Family Dollar in Buchanan (20mi). This is our third stay in this area but not our last, as it’s one of our favorites to explore. You’ll love it, too!
Glad to have found this rustic, quiet campground. Staff Ronnie and Melissa work hard to keep it up very well. Rest rooms and showers were good. They do a great job.
Several things appealed to us: It's quiet, and most of the sites are well laid out and pretty private. The stream flowing through the whole campground is beautiful. The lake and swimming area is scenic and a good place to cool off. Fishing specifically for kids till June 15th to give them a chance at catching nice-sized trout. After that all ages can fish. Several good hiking trails. We enjoyed just taking walks, biking around the property, and just chilling around the campfire. There is a large, beautiful log picnic shelter built in the 1930's. It was easy to see why this has been a popular family destination for decades.
We were glad to disconnect from cell service for a few days of rest and quiet, and some reading. There is very sporadic cell service in certain spots, according to one camper I spoke to. We had no reception, but we did not mind. We look forward to going back when we can.
Nice campground with good amenities. The place was easy to find as was the campsite we had reserved. I'm impressed with cleanliness of the whole park and restrooms. Each campsite is large and can fit 3 small or 2 big tents with multiple cars. Little to no cel service so it forces a technology detox for those who prefer it to enjoy nature. The fire pits provided have a basic grill attachment on it. I took off one star because there aren't too many attractions or medium length trails in the area. While the lake grounds are good for a day activity, there isn't much else in the area.
Took my grandkids camping. The campground was very clean and rangers very nice. The host was very nice. You DO NOT HAVE ANY SIGNAL ! We lost signal about 2 miles before we got there. The campground was clean, however only 1 shower was open (there were 4) at 9am. Why? The restrooms were kept clean and always had T.P.
Took the kids fishing. You walk down a trail, only 1 sign where to go, and you walk and walk and walk, (Probably close to 1/4 mile at least) then suddenly there will be a path down to a lake platforms. Lots of bites no fish. We went on kids only time frame. We ran out of time to do more exploring. We visited the Natural Bridge and the Zoo in town. Both were good.
Lovely campground in the heart of Virginia. We stayed in mid-October, and the foliage was just starting to turn. Really pretty stuff.
Note that there is a hiking trail (Wildcat Mountain) that you can walk to from the campsite. It's deceptively difficult for a 4 mile up-and-back trail. Also, as others have noted, the ground is extra hard. Make sure to pack a camping pad of some sort.
