How much does camping cost at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Camping fees at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp range from $20-$40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp before I book?

Yes! Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is open April 1 - October 30 annually. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Yes, Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp have?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp has 41 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Popular activities at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Q: Can I have a campfire at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Fire policies at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp: Fire pits are provided at each site, but only locally-sourced firewood is permitted to prevent the spread of pests. Generators are restricted during quiet hours.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.63

345 reviews

811 Cave Mountain Lake Road

Family FriendlyScenic ViewsSummer Destination

Featured in:Summer Camping Virginia#1 Spring Camping Virginia#1 Family-Friendly Campgrounds Virginia#1 +11 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

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Quick Facts

1,309 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

41 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,309 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

41 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees range from $20 to $40 per night depending on the season and site type. Reservation fees are $8 online, $9 through the contact center,...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$40.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

540-291-2188khall@fs.fed.us

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What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 345 reviews

121 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanspaciouslake

Some mention

noisecrowded

"Users frequently praise the cleanliness, scenic beauty, and peaceful nature of the campground. Hosts are described as helpful and friendly. Criticisms include issues with noisy neighbors and lack of sinks for dishwashing."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

811 Cave Mountain Lake Road

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

811 Cave Mountain Lake Road

Nearby places

Lexington, VA - 20 minutes (approx. 10 miles)

Natural Bridge State Park - 8 miles (approx. 15 minutes)

Buchanan, VA - approx. 20 miles

Buena Vista, VA - approx. 20 miles.

Nearby supplies

The closest supplies such as ice and firewood can be found at small stores along State Route 759 or at local homes near State Route 781 selling firewood for $10 per wheelbarrow. Fuel and additional groceries are available in Lexington, VA.

Driving directionsFrom I-81 North, take Exit 175 just south of Natural Bridge. Go north on U.S. Highway 11. Turn right at the Natural Bridge parking lot onto Route 130 East. Continue for approximately 4 miles to Natural Bridge Station. Turn right onto State Route 759 and continue for about 3 miles, then turn right again onto State Route 781. Turn left into the recreation area, then bear left at the Y intersection and continue into the campground. From I-81 South, take exit 180 (left exit) and continue south to Natural Bridge. Turn left onto Route 130 East and continue following the above directions.

The campground is easily accessible from major roads and interstates, particularly I-81, with less than 10 miles of travel required. However, some visitors caution against reliance on Google Maps for navigation as it may direct them onto one-lane logging roads. Follow posted signs for Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area instead.

Best Time to Camp at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Summer is prime time. Daytime highs reach 75-85°F, nights cool to the mid-50s or low 60s. The lake warms enough for swimming, fishing picks up, and trails are fully clear. Weekends draw families, but weekdays stay quiet. Spring brings wildflowers and unpredictable rain. Autumn turns the hills red and gold, with crisp air good for hiking. Winter is cold and still, temperatures dropping below freezing most nights. The lake loses its appeal, but the campground stays open for those who want solitude.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in VA

Peak season: swimming, shaded sites and active lake recreation highlighted in reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 1 - October 30 annually. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season runs from April 1 to October 30 annually. The campground is closed from October 31 to March 31.

About Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp sits at 1,309 feet in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, offering 41 shaded, well-spaced sites around a 7-acre lake. Fees run $20-40 per night. Families swim, fish, and paddle here while older kids explore trails through the surrounding Blue Ridge forest. Natural Bridge and Lexington are close enough for day trips.

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp offers tent camping, RV camping (without hookups), and group camping. Primitive camping features shaded, private setups.

Historical Significance

The Civilian Conservation Corps built this camp in the 1930s, incorporating natural rock buttresses into the dam that created the lake. Their stonework is still visible along the shoreline. Natural Bridge State Park sits nearby, once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Lexington, a short drive away, holds Civil War history and the campus of Washington and Lee University.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is prime time. Daytime highs reach 75-85°F, nights cool to the mid-50s or low 60s. The lake warms enough for swimming, fishing picks up, and trails are fully clear. Weekends draw families, but weekdays stay quiet. Spring brings wildflowers and unpredictable rain. Autumn turns the hills red and gold, with crisp air good for hiking. Winter is cold and still, temperatures dropping below freezing most nights. The lake loses its appeal, but the campground stays open for those who want solitude.

ElevationCradled in a protected valley embrace, the campground enjoys a unique microclimate where mountain breezes flow down from surrounding hills, bringing refreshing coolness even on summer days. This natural amphitheater setting not only moderates temperatures but creates ever-changing vistas as morning mists rise from the lake and evening shadows stretch across the grassy fields. The elevation provides stunning panoramic views of ridgelines that seem to roll on forever, offering photographers and nature lovers endless opportunities to capture the Blue Ridge's timeless beauty.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground centers on a 7-acre lake backed by forested ridges and grassy fields. Rock buttresses rise along the shoreline where the CCC built a 35-foot dam in the 1930s, blending stone and engineering into the landscape. Creeks cut through some loops, their sound carrying through camp. Deer graze the meadows at dawn. The forest is mostly hardwood, dense enough for shade but open enough to see the ridgeline. The terrain is gentle valley floor surrounded by low Appalachian hills.

Geological RegionDiscover the ancient heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where time has sculpted a perfect valley sanctuary for Cave Mountain Lake. This geological wonderland showcases nature's artistry through dramatic rocky buttresses that the CCC incorporated into their 35-foot dam—a masterful blend of human engineering and natural architecture. The surrounding forested hills rise like protective guardians, their slopes carved by millennia of wind and water into the gentle curves that define Appalachian beauty. Grassy fields carpet the valley floor, creating open spaces that contrast beautifully with the dense woodland canopy, while the underlying geology tells the story of continental collisions and ancient seas that shaped this mountain paradise.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

1:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 guests per site, 12 guests in double sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites spread across loops, some alongside creeks, others closer to the bathhouse. Spacing is generous. Most sites handle multiple tents or large RV setups, though a few reviewers with bigger rigs found maneuvering tight. Shade is consistent. Pull-through options exist but aren't the majority.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo first-come, first-served sites are available. All sites require prior reservations.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled anytime before arrival for a $10 fee plus forfeiture of reservation fees. Late cancellations (after midnight on the day before arrival) also lose the first night's recreation use fee.

AccessibilityThe campground includes one handicap-accessible shower and flush toilets. Accessibility to trails and certain sites is mentioned but not fully detailed.

Site SizeSites are spacious, with most accommodating multiple tents or large setups. Campsite #41-42 is a double site accommodating up to 12 people.

PrivacySites are described as shaded, private, and well-spaced. "The campsites are spaced out well and fairly private," according to one reviewer. Another noted, "Spacious and private lots.

Total Campsites41 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy, choose creekside sites such as #30. For accessibility, site #20 is a pull-through. Double sites #41-42 are ideal for larger groups.

Need help booking Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities include swimming, youth-only fishing (April 1 to June 15), regular fishing season, birding, photography, wildlife viewing, and hiking. The trails provide access to scenic views and range from short walks to strenuous hikes. "The Wildcat Trail starts above campsites #41-42 and loops back," noted one source.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Beach activities

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife such as bears and snakes are present. Visitors must store food securely and watch out for flooded creek conditions during heavy rains.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyFire pits are provided at each site, but only locally-sourced firewood is permitted to prevent the spread of pests. Generators are restricted during quiet hours.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are located in Lexington, VA, approximately 20 minutes away. These include hospitals, police stations, and ranger stations.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are mentioned as clean and well-maintained. Recycling specifics are not described.

Water FeaturesThe campground is located beside Cave Mountain Lake and features a creek running through the campsites. Swimming and fishing are popular activities.

Camp HostVolunteer campground hosts are available and praised for their friendliness and support. Hosts ensure clean facilities and enforce regulations.

Weather at Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

345 reviews

Top-Rated

Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users frequently praise the cleanliness, scenic beauty, and peaceful nature of the campground. Hosts are described as helpful and friendly. Criticisms include issues with noisy neighbors and lack of sinks for dishwashing.

Review Summaries

Based on 345 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, friendly hosts, spacious sites, scenic beauty including streams and the lake, peaceful environment, well-maintained trails.

Based on 345 reviews

Common Concerns

Lack of dishwashing stations, occasional noise during quiet hours, sporadic cell service, and poorly maintained fire pits.

Based on 345 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Buy firewood outside the campground, bring dishwashing gear, and plan for no cell service. Creeks provide calming background noise.

Based on 345 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight swimming and shaded sites for comfort. Fall reviews note scenic foliage and quiet atmosphere. Spring reviews focus on hiking and youth fishing opportunities. Winter reviews...

Based on 345 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Wow, and I mean Wow! I can't believe I have lived 40 minutes from this hidden gem," "The bathrooms were well maintained and appeared to be cleaned daily!" "Definitely a hidden gem off the beaten...

Based on 345 reviews