USDA Forest Service · Virginia
Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp
USDA Forest Service · Virginia, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 1 no hookups
- Season
- April 1 to October 30
- Cost
- Interagency Senior and Access Passes are not applicable to group camping fees.
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,309 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CAVE MTN REC AREA (NFSR 780) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
- Nearest town
- Natural Bridge Station
- Address
- 811 CAVE MOUNTAIN LAKE ROAD (PHYSICAL ADDRESS), Natural Bridge Station, VA, 24579
- Phone
- 540-291-2188
- Activities
- Camping, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Swimming Site
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and welcomes visitors to enjoy the rustic beauty and peacefulness of the area. Easy access from the interstate and close proximity to historic Lexington and Natural Bridge State Park make Cave Mountain Lake an ideal destination. Cave Mountain Lake covers seven acres and was built in the late 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, using existing natural rock buttresses to form the 35-foot dam. A grassy field extends from the lake's sandy beach to forested hills that paint a scenic backdrop.
Recreation
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 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. Visitors may also enjoy a day hike or backpacking trip on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the James River Face Wilderness, or the Thunder Ridge Wilderness.
Facilities
The group camp area allows tent-camping only and can accommodate up to 30 guests. Facilities include six picnic tables which can be moved around within the group area, two fire rings with grills, one double pedestal grill, lantern posts, serving tables, a group campfire circle and a drinking water spigot. Flush toilets are across the road behind the workcenter building and showers are available at the beach bathhouse. Food storage lockers are not currently available, so all food must be secured in a locked vehicle. Violators are subject to a fine.
Natural Features
Cave Mountain Lake covers seven acres and was built in the late 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, using existing natural rock buttresses to form the 35-foot dam. A grassy field extends from the lake's sandy beach to forested hills that paint a scenic backdrop.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (540) 291-2188.
Nearby Attractions
Lexington, Virginia, just 20 minutes away, is home to several historic sites including the Stonewall Jackson House, George C. Marshall Museum, and the Virgnia Military Institute Museum. It's a charming town with horse drawn carriage rides through the streets. Ice and other sundries can be found at small stores along State Route 759 as you drive to Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area. Natural Bridge State Park is a short 8 mile drive away and offers visitors views of the 215 foot tall Natural Bridge and limestone gorge, 6 miles of hiking trails, a Monacan Indian village, and the 30 foot cascade of Lace Falls.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 26° | 6° | 59° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 48° | 31° | 10° | 72° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 60° | 36° | 14° | 79° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 46° | 27° | 86° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 75° | 57° | 39° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 83° | 62° | 53° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 68° | 56° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 86° | 69° | 57° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 79° | 63° | 47° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 66° | 47° | 31° | 83° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 54° | 35° | 24° | 71° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 44° | 30° | -4° | 64° | 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
- Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 40 sites
- Hopper Creek Group Camp · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 1 sites
- North Creek · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 4 sites
- Natural Bridge State Park · Virginia State Parks · 4 mi · 3 sites
- Peaks of Otter Campground · National Park Service · 10 mi · 143 sites
All public campgrounds in Virginia · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-24. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.