The USDA Forest Service is providing a renewed recreation season at Lake Moomaw this summer.
Bolar Mountain campgrounds 1, 2 and 3 in Bath County will open to the public on May 24. Reservations are required and are available six months in advance on https://www.recreation.gov/
The Bolar Mountain day use area, including the swim beach, will also open on May 24.
The Bolar Flats day use area, including the boat launch, is open year-round. However, the dock at the Bolar Flats marina, damaged during a high wind event storm last year, remains closed to for public safety.
The Bolar Flats marina store remains closed. A prospectus was recently distributed for a special use permit to operate the Bolar Flats marina area, including the marina store, dry storage, wet storage, day use and picnic facilities. However, no bids were received and the dock and store will remain closed this season.
McClintic Point campground, on the north side of Lake Moomaw, will open on March 29 to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping fees are $12 a night and made on site via fee envelope. Both cash and checks accepted. There is no water available at the site and campers will need to pack in all their water needs. A vault toilet is provided. Group sites are closed.
Blowing Springs campground opens March 8, available as first-come, first-served. Cash fee or check is $12/night.
Hidden Valley campground opens March 8, available as first come, first served. Cash fee or check is $15/night.
Morris Hill Campground near the Coles Point recreation area on the south side of Lake Moomaw (Alleghany County) will also open May 24. Reservations for Morris Hill Campground are currently available six months in advance on recreation.gov.
Sugar Ridge campground, within the Bolar Mountain recreation area, is closed for maintenance and repair.
Needed repairs and maintenance on the wastewater treatment plant interrupted last summer’s recreation season. Repairs to the wastewater treatment plant were completed earlier this month. Operational testing, as required by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, will be conducted throughout the 2023 summer recreation season to ensure public health and safety.
Recreation sites at Bolar Mountain at Lake Moomaw will remain open as long as the wastewater treatment plant continues to operate without issue.
Plans to completely decommission and replace the plant, which is over 40 years old, are underway in part to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act.
Annual Day Use passes are available for $30 by phone or mail from the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District at 540-839-2521.