Beach at Lake Moomaw - Photo Courtesy Bath County Chamber of Commerce
Beach at Lake Moomaw - Photo Courtesy Bath County Chamber of
Commerce
Approximately 50% of Bath County's forested acreage comprises 176,809 acres of the George Washington National Forest. Lake Moomaw, a 2,530 acre lake, is almost completely surrounded by the national forest. Lake Moomaw is 19 miles north of Covington, Virginia and from the Gathright Dam extends 12 miles along the Jackson River. At its normal recreational level, the lake is 1,582 feet above sea level and is 150 feet deep at the intake tower. Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw provide a great variety of outdoor recreational opportunities to Bath County's citizens and visitors.
In Bath County, the George Washington National Forest is
managed by:
Warm Springs Ranger District
422 Forestry Road
Hot Springs, Va. 24445
(540)-839-2521
A visitors center, operated by the Corps of Engineers, is located at the Gathright Dam, offering facilities for visitor information and convenience. National Forest information is available at the Forest Place in Hot Springs at 2696 Main Street, at the Warm Springs Ranger District and at the James River Ranger District, 810 Madison Ave., Covington, Virginia, 24426, 540-962-2214.
All campgrounds have a 21 day maximum stay limit. Reservations are available at some campgrounds by going online to Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6177
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Blowing Springs: Route 39 near
Mountain Grove, 23 camp sites, small picnic area, hand pump, vault toilets
and dump station. Open year round. Camping fee $8. First-come, first-serve
only. |
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Bolar Flat - Lake Moomaw: concession
operated marina with gas sales, camp supplies and slip rentals. The location
also has a picnic area, four lane launch ramp and courtesy dock. To reserve
the picnic shelter, call toll free 1-877-444-6777. The site is open May 1
through early October. The daily fee is $3 per car. The area is free of
charge during the off-season. |
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Bolar Mountain - Lake Moomaw: 1 picnic
area, 4 campgrounds - 32 sites with electrical hook-up, showers,
dump station. Open April through early December. The fees are $16 for a
regular site and $20 for a site with electrical hook-up. Reservation and
first-come, first-serve sites. |
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Bolar Mountain - Moomaw Beach: sandy
beach with bathhouse. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fee is $3 per
car. Seasonal passes are available for $30. |
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Hidden Valley: near Warm Springs, on
the Jackson River, near historic Warwickton Mansion. 31 campsites, running
water, vault toilets, dump station. Open late March through early December.
Camping fee is $8. First-come, first-serve only. |
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McClintic Point - Lake Moomaw: 21 campsites, vault toilets. Open year-round. Group camping sites are also available. Fee is $8 for regular sites and $35 for group sites. Reservation and first-come, first-serve sites. |
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Greenwood Point - Lake Moomaw:
campsites can be reached by boat or by a 3.29 mile trail. Pit toilets. Trail
head parking is located at the cul-de-sac by Campground #3 at Lake Moomaw. |
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Laurel Fork: located in northern
Highland County, is a special management area featuring northern hardwoods,
unique habitat for Virginia, and also stream fishing. Picnic area and hiking
trails. |
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Poor Farm: located in northern Bath
County, is a popular river fishing, hunting, hiking, and primitive camping area. |
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Walton Tract: accessed from State
Route 42, provides canoe opportunities and fishing in the Cowpasture River. |
| Bubbling Springs: near Millboro,
picnic area, vault toilet |
A USFS shooting range is located on the east side of Warm Springs Mountain. There are 100-yard and 50-yard ranges, with 5 benches per range. Bring targets, remove trash, no skeet shooting. Vault toilet, no water or electric. Open during daylight hours, year round. Take Route 39 east from Warm Springs to left on Route 609, 2 miles to signs for range.