George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019

Phone
(540) 265-5100

WELCOME to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests!

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are U.S. National Forests that combine to form one of the largest areas of public land in the Eastern United States. They cover 1.8 million acres of land in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Approximately one million acres of the forest are remote and undeveloped and 89,862 acres have been designated as wilderness areas, which eliminates future development.

George Washington National Forest was established on May 16, 1918 as the Shenandoah National Forest. The forest was renamed after the first President on June 28, 1932. Natural Bridge National Forest was added on July 22, 1933.

Jefferson National Forest was formed on April 21, 1936 by combining portions of the Unanka and George Washington National Forests with other land. In 1995, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests were administratively combined. The border between the two forests roughly follows the James River. The combined forest is administered from its headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia.

Whether you want to take a vacation or simply visit for the day, the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests offer a huge array of outdoor recreation opportunities. Begin planning your visit now.

FAMILY PICNICKING
These small picnic areas are near a point of interest, trails or fishing opportunities.

• Elizabeth Furnace
  Historic site, interpretive trails, log cabin information station, stream.
• Mountain House
  Historic site, open field, access to Ramseys Draft Wilderness.
• Braley Pond
  5 acre pond, hiking trails.
• Staunton Dam
  7.5 acre lake, no drinking water. Fishing North River lakes and streams
• Hone Quarry
  Lake and stream, 10 grills and 15 picnic tables, hiking trails.
• Roaring Run
  Historic furnace; trail to waterfall, trout stream, no drinking water.
• Fenwick Mines
  Volleyball field, horseshoe pit, hiking trails, no drinking water. Call 540-552-4641 to reserve the picnic shelter.
• Glen Alton
  1930's farm and retreat, pastoral setting, streams and pond, no drinking water.
• Pandapas Pond
  Pond and wetland, accessible trail, no drinking water
• Raven Cliff
  Scenery, playfield, historic furnace, picnic shelter available on 1st come-1st served basis, no drinking water.
• Hanging Rock
  Little Stony Creek Trail, no drinking water. Call 276-328-2931 to reserve picnic shelter.
• Bark Camp
  45 acre lake with boat ramp, trails, fishing (no gas powered boats).

SWIMMING AREAS WITH PICNIC FACILITIES

• Trout Pond
  WV’s only natural pond and a 17-acre lake with swimming beach, bathhouse, playground
• Brandywine
  10 acre lake with swimming beach, use of campground bathhouse with showers.
• Todd Lake
  7.5 acre lake with swimming beach and accessible ramp to the water, playground, bathhouse with showers.
• Blue Hole
  Swimming hole, North Fork of Shenandoah River.
• Bolar Mountain
  2,530 acre Lake Moomaw, swimming beach, playground, bathhouse with showers.
• Coles Point
  Sand beach on Lake Moomaw, bathhouse with showers, vending machines, boat launch (open year round), bank fishing.
• Longdale
  Historic recreation area, Longdale Pond, swimming beach, bathhouse with cold water showers.
• Sherando Lake
  Scenic lake and historic CCC pavilion, swimming beach, vending machines, ice, hiking trails.
• Cave Mountain Lake
  7-acre lake, sand swimming beach, bathhouse with showers, no boats allowed on lake.
• Beartree
  Lake with swimming beach, bathhouse, hiking and mountain biking trails, bathhouse with showers.
• Grindstone
  Scenery, playground, sand volleyball lot, "cement pond" wading area, hiking on National Recreation Trail, located along Mt. Rogers Scenic Byway.
• Cave Springs
  Pond with swimming beach, fishing, hiking, bathhouse with showers
• Phillips Creek Swim Site
  Swimming beach, volley-ball court, Phillips Creek Loop Trail, Pine Mountain Trail. Call 276-328-2931 to reserve picnic shelter.
• High Knob Lake
  5-acre High Knob Lake with 300' swimming beach, bathhouse with showers, trails

PICNICKING NEAR WATERFALLS

• Crabtree Falls
  Series of waterfalls, scenic viewing, hiking trails, no drinking water, 2 picnic tables
• Roaring Run
  Historic furnace; trail to waterfall, trout stream, no drinking water
• Cascades
  Trail criss-crosses cascading trout stream to a beautiful waterfall.

GROUP SITES

• Roosevelt
  Historic CCC Area; nearby trails with views to Shenandoah National Park
• Elizabeth Furnace
  Historic furnace & Passage Creek, Interpretive trails, log cabin information station.
• Trout Pond
  WV’s only natural pond and a 17-acre lake; play-ground, *swimming beach 5/16-9/10, summer nature programs; boat ramp, no gas powered boats on lake. www.recreation.gov to reserve group picnic area.
• Bolar Flat
  2,530 acre lake Moomaw, marina and store, trailer parking, 2-lane boat ramp, dock, boat rentals. *Off season there is no fee, but reduced services (no restrooms or potable water).
• Coles Mountain
  Group picnicking, 2 picnic shelters. No restrooms 11/1-4/30. Maximum group size of 40. Call 540-962-2214 to reserve.
• Longdale
  Historic recreation area, Longdale Pond, swimming beach, bathhouse with cold water showers. Call 540-962-2214 to reserve picnic shelter.
• Sherando Lake
  Historic CCC picnic shelter; short walk to scenic lake, swimming beach, hiking trails. Call 540-291-2188 to reserve Williams Branch picnic shelter.
• Cave Mountain Lake
  7-acre lake, sand swimming beach, fishing, bathhouse with showers, no boats allowed on lake. Call 540-291-2188 to reserve the picnic shelter.
• Fenwick Mines
  Volleyball field, horseshoe pit, hiking trails, no drinking water. Call 540-552-4641 to reserve the picnic shelter.
• Raven Cliff
  Picnic shelter available on 1st come-1st served basis, no drinking water. Scenery, playfield, fishing, historic furnace.
• Comers Rock
  Picnic shelter available first-come, first-served basis. Hiking trails to nearby Hale Lake and Comers Rock Overlook.
• Settlers Museum
  Call 276-686-4401 to reserve shelter or arrange a field trip. Living history programs on 67 acre 19th Century farm and Lindamood 1-Room School. Visit http://www.settlersmuseum.com/ for more information.
• Beartree
  Huge group shelter is short walk from Beartree Lake with swimming beach, fishing trail, bathhouse with showers. www.recreation.gov to reserve picnic shelter.
• Flatwoods
  Large picnic area with group cooking facilities, electricity. Maximum of 100 people. Contact 276-328-2931 to reserve.
• Hanging Rock
  Little Stony Creek Trail, no drinking water. Call 276-328-2931 to reserve picnic shelter.
• Phillips Creek Swim Site
  Swimming beach, volleyball court, Phillips Creek Loop Trail, Pine Mountain Trail. Call 276-328-2931 to reserve picnic shelter.

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