Sherando Lake Recreation Area Family Camping

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

Sherando Lake Recreation Area's Family Campground provides an ideal camping destination. It is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where visitors enjoy hiking, picnicking in the shade, fishing in the lakes, or swimming and relaxing on the sandy beach.

The campground is divided into three loops: Meadow Loop (Loop C) and River Bend Loop (Loop B) have campsites with electric hookups which are suitable for larger camping units and RV's; White Oak Loop (Loop A) has non-electric campsites, suitable for tents and camping units less than 20 feet in length. All camping requires a reservation prior to arriving. Campsites can be reserved via Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. No first-come, first-serve sites.

Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, serving table, lantern post, and campfire ring with grill. The designated tent pads are covered with a fine brown sandy gravel. Showers, flush toilets and drinking water hydrants are located in each loop. The water hydrants are not threaded for hose hook-ups. Most campsites are equipped with a food storage locker for securing your food due to bear activity. It is mandatory that all food be either stored in a food storage locker or secured in a locked vehicle. Violators are subject to a fine. You are camping in the mountains with unlevel ground. Please be prepared.    

A trailer dump station is located along the main road between the entrance station and the road to the lower lake parking. A potable water station with threaded hose (to fill RV tanks) is located within the campground, opposite of the Day-Use parking area near the Williams Branch picnic area bathroom. Both the dump station and fill station are signed.

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.

• Check-In Time: 1pm. Early arrivals will not have access to their campsite until 1pm. Campers who wish to enter park prior to 1pm will be required to pay Day Use Fee. Ceck-Out Time: 11am. Site must be vacated by 11am. 

Need to Know

• Please note the gate code in confirmation emails prior to arriving at Sherando Lake. No reliable cell service on-site. Gate code necessary to enter Sherando Lake.

• Check-In Time: 1pm. Early arrivals will not have access to their campsite until 1pm. Check-Out Time: 11pm Site must be vacated by 11am. 

• No refunds for any reason

• Electric hook-ups only in River Bend (Loop B) & Meadow Loops (Loop C). No water or sewer hook-ups are available.

• No boat ramp available for either the Upper Lake or Lower Lake
• Only electric troll motors, canoes, kayaks or similar boats are allowed on either lake, no gasoline engines.

• Fire Wood is not available at the park

• Cell phone coverage is unreliable

• No First-Come, First Service Sites. No campsite switching once you arrive at the campground.

• 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.
• No lifeguards are on duty at the swimming area. Swim at your own risk
• Pets are allowed, but must be leashed and under the owner's control at all times. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.

• Camping units in White Oak Loop (Loop A) are restricted to less than 20 feet in length due to the access road hill and turn.

• Campsites in White Oak Loop (Loop A) do NOT have electric, water or sewer hook-ups.

• Use of food storage lockers is mandatory for campsites. All food must be secured in a locked vehicle or storage locker. Violators are subject to a fine.

Natural Features

The campground sits between Lower Sherando Lake and Upper Sherando Lake at an elevation of about 1,800 feet in the shadows of Torry Ridge. The Upper Lake is 7 acres and is fed by the waters of the North Fork of Back Creek. The Lower Lake is 25 acres and is fed by springs, the North Fork of Back Creek, and Williams Branch, so the water stays refreshingly cool all summer long.

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. Cabin rentals are available near Sherando Lake from local private vendors.

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 of the lake. Fishing is in stocked trout 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 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 DRIVE LYNDHURST, VA 22952 (PHYSICAL ADDRESS) GLENWOOD & PEDLAR RANGER DISTRICTS (FOR INFORMATION) 27 RANGER LANE NATURAL BRIDGE STATION VA 24579

Physical Address

96 SHERANDO LAKE DRIVE LYNDHURST, VA 22952

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 to the 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 your assigned campsite in either White Oak Loop (Loop A), which is the first turn to the right after passing the lower lake or Meadow Loop (Loop C), which is the last loop on the left before the playground. A campground host is available in each loop to answer questions you may have.

Available Campsites

• Site C17, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A29, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C03, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site B12, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site A17, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A09, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A33, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C12, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site B13, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site C07, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A18, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B07, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site B05A, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site C09, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A01, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A30, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A03, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C05, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site C18, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A19, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B05B, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site A23, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A16, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C15, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A02, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A31, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C16, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A08, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A15, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C02, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site C08, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A26, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B02, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site B08, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site C14, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A25, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A24, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A35, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A13, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A28, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A21, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B09, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site A22, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C10, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site B01, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site C01, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site B11, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site A14, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A05, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C06, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site B03, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site C04, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A34, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A27, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A06, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A07, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B10, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site C13, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A10, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B04, Loop River Bend Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site A12, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A04, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C11, Loop Meadow Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site A20, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A32, Loop White Oak Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric

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