Army Corps of Engineers · Virginia
Cranesnest Campground (Va)
Army Corps of Engineers · Virginia, United States
- Sites
- 31
- Hookups
- 19 electric, 12 with water, 12 no hookups
- Season
- July 25 to November 1
- Max RV length
- 28 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,539 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir
- Nearest town
- Clintwood
- Address
- 2689 Cranesnest River Campground Rd, Clintwood, VA, 24228
- Phone
- 276-835-9544
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Picnic Shelter, Wildlife Viewing
19 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
The John W. Flannagan Dam & Reservoir Area boasts an expansive lake nestled in the rolling green Cumberland Mountains of southwest Virginia, offering visitors an oasis of recreation in the summer months. The nearby dam, built primarily for flood control for the Cranesnest and Pound Rivers, creates a breathtaking lake that is maintained at nearly 1,400 feet above sea level. This facility is an ideal spot for picnicking, water activities and hiking.
Recreation
Flannagan's reputation as a fisherman's paradise is well-known. Visitors can enjoy secluded coves of deep, clean water that are well-stocked with bass, walleye and trout. Boating, canoeing, whitewater rafting and biking top the long list of activities available nearby.
Facilities
The campground offers campsites with electric hookup options, bath houses, playgrounds, launch ramps and picnic shelters with grills and horseshoe pits which provide an ideal location for parties and other get-togethers.
Natural Features
The John W. Flannagan Dam, completed in 1964, carves out a 1,145-acre lake with nearly 40 miles of beautiful shoreline in the lush Virginia mountains.
Nearby Attractions
Breaks Interstate Park is nearby, offering lodging, dining, a museum, gift shop, rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and other outdoor activities.
Charges & Cancellations
Changes and cancellations subject to potential fees and cancellations are not automatically subject to refund.
Fees
The only payment type accepted on site is major credit and/or debit card. We do not accept cash nor check. On-site reservation subject to ranger availability. For best results, please utilize recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777!
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 27° | -4° | 64° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 50° | 33° | 13° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 61° | 38° | 8° | 76° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 70° | 48° | 28° | 82° | 3 of 11 |
| May | 76° | 59° | 39° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 65° | 51° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 69° | 60° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 69° | 57° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 80° | 63° | 50° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 47° | 35° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 57° | 38° | 20° | 70° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 48° | 32° | -1° | 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
- Pound River Campground (Va) · Army Corps of Engineers · 4 mi · 27 sites
- Lower Twin Campground (Va) · Army Corps of Engineers · 6 mi · 33 sites
- Breaks Interstate Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 11 mi
- Laurel Fork Primitive Camp · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi
- Breaks Park Southern Gap Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 15 mi
All public campgrounds in Virginia · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-07-26. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.