Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — George Washington National Forest
George Washington National Forest in Virginia, West Virginia offers Forest Service recreation at Sherando Lake Recreation Area, Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area. For a walking or hiking visit, start with Sherando Lake Recreation Area, Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area. Each recreation site has its own facilities and access rules; use the official maps and current site instructions to plan your visit.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official reservation destination for Sherando Lake Recreation Area. Other campgrounds in this forest may have separate reservations, first-come sites or district permits. Read the current instructions for your chosen site.
Sherando Lake Recreation Area ↗
Sherando Lake Recreation Area is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Families enjoy picnicking in this shaded and woody area, while relaxing on the sandy beach of a 25-acre spring-fed lake. Access to multiple trailheads and rustic architecture provide numerous points of interest for families to enjoy.
Reservations: Sherando Lake Recreation Area Reservation Information . Campers with a reservation will be provided with a code to open the new electronic gate.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
Site rules: Alcoholic beverages prohibited in day use area. No combustible engines allowed on the lake. Hand carry boats only. Forest Order 15-08-17 applies.
Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area ↗
Camp Roosevelt Campground is the site of the first Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in the Nation. Follow the path through the CCC camp and view the foundations where the actual buildings once stood. Proud and lofty oak trees create the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a simple picnic or camping out with friends or family.
Site rules: Alcoholic beverages prohibited.
Camp Run Campground ↗
Nestled along a Shenandoah Mountain drainage in Pendleton County, WV, Camp Run provides an opportunity for primitive 1950’s style camping that is popular with hunters.
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
Confirm with the district whether your chosen designated campsite accepts a truck camper or RV. Check pad length, turning space, approach surface and seasonal access; a trailhead or day-use lot is not an overnight campsite.
No forest-wide permission to camp is implied. Check the district’s current dispersed-camping rules, designated areas, fire restrictions, stay limits and seasonal closures before choosing an undeveloped site.
Activities, hiking & trails
Sherando Lake Recreation Area ↗
Sherando Lake Recreation Area is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Families enjoy picnicking in this shaded and woody area, while relaxing on the sandy beach of a 25-acre spring-fed lake. Access to multiple trailheads and rustic architecture provide numerous points of interest for families to enjoy.
Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area ↗
Camp Roosevelt Campground is the site of the first Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in the Nation. Follow the path through the CCC camp and view the foundations where the actual buildings once stood. Proud and lofty oak trees create the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a simple picnic or camping out with friends or family.
North River Campground ↗
This open area campground was originally constructed as a CCC camp. Evidence of the original sites and logging trails still remain today. North River Gorge is a popular hiking, biking, and fishing area with a swinging bridge spanning the North River. Close proximity to Wild Oak National Recreation Trail, Stanton Dam Day Use Area and Elkhorn Lake provide multiple recreational options that are easily accessible within a few miles.
Maps & road access
Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map for permitted motor routes, vehicle classes and seasonal designations. A route on an MVUM is not a guarantee that it is maintained or passable. Check current road closures and conditions with the district; carry an offline map.
Use the official directions for the exact named campground or trailhead; forest boundaries and administrative offices are not campsite entrances. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Check the forest’s current alerts, seasonal services, fire orders and campground rules. Download the relevant official maps before entering areas with limited reception.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. USDA Forest Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Lower Cove Run Road inside George Washington Forest
View east along West Virginia State Route 59 (Lower Cove Run Road) at the end of pavement within the George Washington National Forest in Hardy County, West Virginia
Credit: Famartin. Original source ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Forest entrance east of Lost City, West Virginia
View east along West Virginia State Route 59 (Lower Cove Run Road) entering the George Washington National Forest just east of Lost City in Hardy County, West Virginia
Credit: Famartin. Original source ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.