Sherando Lake Group Camp
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
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.
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.
Notifications and Alerts
Reminder: Electronic gate code is required for entry and included in your confirmation email. Please note it prior to arriving at Sherando Lake as there is no reliable cellular service onsite. When you arrive, enter the Four Digit Gate Code followed by the # sign.
October Hold: We are currently working on finalizing plans to rebuild our water system. The construction may start as early as October, we currently have the calendar for new reservations blocked. For reservations that have already been reserved, your reservation will still be honored. If we find out that construction will not start in October then we will reopen registration to the public. If you currently have a reservation and construction starts you will be fully refunded.
Water Outage – Be advised that during the week of April 6th – April 11th Sherando Lake will be performing repairs on our water system.
• During this period there will be temporary water outages, limited showers, restrooms and water hydrants.
• Impacted areas will be B-Loop (sites B1 – B13), C-Loop (sites C1 – C18), and Group Camping.
• RV Fill Station will be operational for RV fill.
• Portable Restrooms will be available in impacted areas.
• Warm Showers will be available in A-Loop and at the Beach Bathhouse.
Please bring extra water.
Thank you for your patience and we apologize for the inconvenience.
Need to Know
- No electric, water or sewer hookups available
- No boat ramp available for either the Upper Lake or Lower Lake
- Boaters must wear approved life jackets
- Only electric troll motors, kayaks, canoes or similar boats are allowed on either lake, no gasoline engines.
- Cell phone coverage is unreliable
- Click here for more information on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
- Interagency Senior or Access Passes are not applicable for the group camp
- No lifeguards are on duty at the swimming area. Visitors swim at their own risk.
- Tent camping only. There are no pads available for pop-up trailers or RV's.
- Pets must be leashed and under the control of the owner at all times. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after the pet.
- Generators must not run more than 2 consecutive hours and not before 8 am or after 10 pm.
- Food storage lockers are currently not available. All food must be secured in a locked vehicle. Violators are subject to fine.
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
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. Swimming is not allowed in the upper lake.
Hiking trails surround the area offering everything from a short walk around the lake on the Lakeside and Cliff Trails to a day hike up the mountain on the White Rock Gap Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For the more adventurous hiker, more challenging day hikes and backpacking trips are available by heading up the Blue Loop Trail to the Torry Ridge Trail to Bald Mountain and beyond.
Contact Information
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96 SHERANDO LAKE ROAD, LYNDHURST, VA 22952 (PHYSICAL ADDRESS) GLENWOOD AND PEDLAR RANGER DISTRICTS (FOR INFORMATION) 27 RANGER LANE NATURAL BRIDGE VA 24579
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 540-291-2188
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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. If the gatehouse is closed, continue through the recreation area to the group camping area at the end of the road.
Available Campsites
- Site G4, Loop Sherando Lake Group Camp , Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G3, Loop Sherando Lake Group Camp , Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G1, Loop Sherando Lake Group Camp , Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G2, Loop Sherando Lake Group Camp , Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G5, Loop Sherando Lake Group Camp , Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
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