Cave Mountain Lake Family Campground

Natural Bridge Station, VA

4.7(162 reviews)Book online

About this campground

Cave Mountain Lake Family Campground in Natural Bridge Virginia is a US Forest Service campground nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, offering a rustic and peaceful camping getaway. Easy interstate access, close proximity to historic Lexington and access to Natural Bridge make Cave Mountain Lake an ideal spot. Offers primitive tent and RV camping in a wooded setting. 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. 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.

What campers say

Set in a mountain forest around a small swimming lake, Cave Mountain Lake Campground offers well-spaced, mostly flat sites with generous fire rings, bear-proof storage boxes and tall hooks for hanging gear. Volunteer hosts are consistently praised, and many families find the lakeside day-use area and beach especially kid-friendly. Bath houses and hot showers in the main campground are reported as clean, though the lakeside shower building has seen neglect. The site is quite remote with little to no cell service and can attract RVs and generator noise at times—tradeoffs for its quiet, scenic hiking and easy access from I-81.

Our summary of 162 traveler reviews.

Amenities

Sites

  • Back-In

Facilities

  • Showers
  • Dump Station

Setting

  • Lake

More

  • .GOV
  • .RECREATION
  • Bathrooms
  • Campfire
  • Dirt
  • Dogs
  • Family Friendly
  • Firepits
  • First Come First Served
  • Fishing
  • Forest Service
  • Hiking
  • Pads
  • Paved
  • Pets
  • Primitive
  • Public Park
  • Pull-In
  • RV
  • Scenic
  • Shade
  • Swimming
  • Tents
  • Trails
  • Trees
  • Water
  • Wildlife

162 reviews

Photos

Location

Address
811 811 Cave Mountain Lake Road, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
GPS
37.5760° N, 79.5339° W

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