Trout Pond Campground
Lost City, West Virginia · George Washington National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8 per person
- SEASON
- May
About Trout Pond Campground
Trout Pond Recreation Area, in the George Washington National Forest near Lost City, West Virginia, centers on two adjacent lakes: Trout Pond itself, a sinkhole-formed natural lake billed as the only natural lake in West Virginia, and the smaller man-made Rock Cliff Lake. The developed day-use area includes an official swim beach, a family-oriented swimming hole with no lifeguard on duty.
The recreation area sits in a mountain hollow of the George Washington National Forest in Hardy County, WV, reached via Forest Service roads off SR 23/10 south of Wardensville. It includes a campground, boat ramp, picnic area, and a 4-mile loop trail circling the water with easier lakeside sections and more challenging mountain segments.
Swimming at Trout Pond Campground
Designated swimming is at a white-sand beach in the day-use area on Rock Cliff Lake, a 17-acre impoundment, described by Recreation.gov and WV Tourism as suitable for families with children. Trout Pond, the adjacent natural sinkhole lake, is managed primarily for fishing (native Brook trout) rather than swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Strasburg, VA, take Route 55 west about 18 miles to Wardensville, WV, then follow local roads via SR 23/10 and Forest Service Road 500 (roughly 13 more miles) to the recreation area.
Parking: Designated parking areas serve the campground and day-use beach; Recreation.gov day-use terms note that parking outside designated areas is discouraged.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the Rock Cliff Lake swim beach -- it sits directly in the day-use area near parking. Separately, an easy 4-mile loop trail (with an optional 2-mile side spur to an overlook of the lake) circles the water for visitors who want to hike, plus a steeper connecting route up Long and Devil's Hole Mountains for more experienced hikers, but neither is required for swimming.
Exact walk time from the parking area to the sand beach was not stated in any source found; it reads as a short, flat walk within the developed day-use area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official sources (Recreation.gov, WV Tourism) describe the Rock Cliff Lake swim beach as a white-sand, family-oriented designated swimming area with no hike or scramble to reach it. No source mentions on-duty lifeguards, so treat as supervised swimming; the adjacent Trout Pond itself is managed for fishing, not swimming.
Parking
Paid, $8 per person (day-use pass, purchased via Recreation.gov, non-refundable and valid only until 11:59 PM on the date of purchase)
Recreation.gov's activity-pass terms state parking is limited to designated day-use areas and that "parking outside of designated areas is discouraged and visitors who park illegally may be fined and towed," with no guaranteed space during busy periods. Neither Recreation.gov nor WV Tourism specifies whether it is a formal paved lot or informal pull-off.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and warm showers are located in the day-use area and "an easy walk away from each" campsite, per Recreation.gov and WV Tourism. These facilities, along with running water, are only operational mid-May through October; outside that window (late April, November-December) restrooms are not available even though the area itself is open.
Hours
Recreation area open late April through October/December (sources vary slightly); entrance gates are locked nightly from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Developed facilities -- restrooms, running water, and the campground -- operate only mid-May through October.
On the water
Restrictions: No gasoline-powered boats permitted on the lakes; life jackets required for all boaters per official regulations. Sources describe a boat ramp in the day-use area but do not enumerate specific hand-craft (kayak/canoe/paddleboard) rules beyond the general no-gas-motor policy.
Recreation.gov and WV Tourism confirm a boat ramp exists at the day-use area on Rock Cliff Lake; no source mentions an on-site rental concession or motorized personal watercraft (e.g., jet skis), which appear to not be permitted given the no-gas-motor rule.
Backstory
Trout Pond is described by official sources as the only natural lake in West Virginia, formed by a sinkhole; Rock Cliff Lake beside it is a man-made impoundment built for recreation.
Trout Pond Campground: FAQ
Does Trout Pond Campground charge a fee?
Day-use beach pass: $8 per person (Recreation.gov, non-refundable, valid only through 11:59 PM on date of purchase). Standard non-electric campsite: $19/night. Group shelter rental: $65 (1-50 people) or $100 (51-100 people).
Is Trout Pond Campground kid friendly?
Official sources (Recreation.gov, WV Tourism) describe the Rock Cliff Lake swim beach as a white-sand, family-oriented designated swimming area with no hike or scramble to reach it. No source mentions on-duty lifeguards, so treat as supervised swimming; the adjacent Trout Pond itself is managed for fishing, not swimming.
Do I need to hike to reach Trout Pond Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Trout Pond Campground?
Recreation.gov's activity-pass terms state parking is limited to designated day-use areas and that "parking outside of designated areas is discouraged and visitors who park illegally may be fined and towed," with no guaranteed space during busy periods. Neither Recreation.gov nor WV Tourism specifies whether it is a formal paved lot or informal pull-off.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Trout Pond Campground?
Recreation.gov and WV Tourism confirm a boat ramp exists at the day-use area on Rock Cliff Lake; no source mentions an on-site rental concession or motorized personal watercraft (e.g., jet skis), which appear to not be permitted given the no-gas-motor rule.
When is the best time to visit Trout Pond Campground?
Recreation area open late April through October/December; bathrooms, running water, and the campground are only available mid-May to October.
What are the rules at Trout Pond Campground?
Entrance gates locked 10 p.m.-8 a.m.; no gasoline-powered boats on the lakes; life jackets required for boaters; no off-road vehicles or alcoholic beverages; dogs prohibited on the swim beach; firewood must be burned on-site; day-use passes are vehicle-specific and non-transferable.
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