USDA Forest Service · West Virginia
Trout Pond Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service · West Virginia, United States
- Sites
- 52
- Hookups
- 11 electric, 1 with water, 36 no hookups
- Season
- May 4 to October 27
- Max RV length
- 99 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,001 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CAMP ROAD & LOOP (NFSR WV500A) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
- Nearest town
- Lost City
- Address
- 814 Trout Pond Campground RD , Lost City, WV, 26810-8382
- Phone
- 1(304)897-6450
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking Trail, Swimming
35 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Trout Pond Recreation Area boasts two bodies of water, Rock Cliff Lake and Trout Pond. Relax on a sandy mountain beach or fish for stocked trout while relaxing along the cool waters of Rock Cliff Lake.
Trout Pond, home to native Brook trout, is the only natural lake in West Virginia. A designated swimming area, easy lakeside trails, and a children's playground make this a perfect family destination.
Recreation
A trail surrounding the entire lake provides bank fishing access at Rock Cliff Lake. All types of boating from motor to sailboats are welcome.
Hike the Trout Pond Loop trail, an easy 4-mile excursion, with an optional 2-mile side route, to an overlook of Rockcliff Lake. For a more challenging hike, a connecting trail provides a steep climb up Long and Devil's Hole Mountains.
Facilities
Campsites come with a campfire ring and picnic table, and some of have electric hookups. Hot showers and flush toilets are an easy walk away from each site.
The day-use area includes a white-sand swim beach, boat ramp, showers, playground and 30 picnic sites.
Natural Features
Rock Cliff Lake is a 17-acre man-made lake with a maximum depth of 36 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. Trout Pond, the naturally formed lake, was created by a sinkhole that filled with mountain stream water and run-off from Long Mountain. Trout Pond can vary in waterflow. Please visit the Forest Service website for our most up to date conditions.
Contact Info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (540) 984-4101 for general information.
Charges & Cancellations
group shelter nonelectric 1-50 people $65, 51-100 people $100, standard non electric is $19.00 per night
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 23° | -15° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 41° | 27° | 6° | 69° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 53° | 33° | 6° | 73° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 66° | 41° | 24° | 84° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 70° | 52° | 32° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 77° | 57° | 49° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 65° | 53° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 81° | 65° | 53° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 77° | 60° | 45° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 62° | 43° | 32° | 80° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 49° | 32° | 21° | 65° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 42° | 28° | 11° | 66° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Wolf Gap · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 4 sites
- Little Fort · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi · 4 sites
- Hawk Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi
- Camp Roosevelt · USDA Forest Service · 19 mi · 4 sites
- Elizabeth Furnace · USDA Forest Service · 22 mi · 36 sites
All public campgrounds in West Virginia · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.