Can you reserve a site at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area?

No. Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area

Facility · Virginia ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

George Washington National Forest (NF) · Open Access

743 ft
Elevation

Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area offers forested trails, campsites and open grassy picnic areas along the tranquil Passage Creek. Enjoy hiking the Pig Iron and Charcoal trail and learn how iron was historically mined and smelted. Spend the day fishing from a stocked trout stream, grilling out at a picnic spot, or taking a stroll across the swinging bridge to view the historic cabin.

Getting there

From I-81: Take exit 296 and turn east, on VA 55 for 1.4 miles. In center of Strasburg (traffic light), turn left to remain on VA 55. After 5.0 miles, turn right onto SR 678 in small community of Waterlick. The recreation area will be on your left in about 3.5 miles. There are three entrances, about a half mile apart: Entrance to the group campground appears first, followed by the entrance to the day use area, and finally the entrance to the campground.

From I-66: Take Exit 6 (Front Royal) and proceed south on SR 340/522 for 1.3 miles until you come to a stoplight. Turn right onto VA 55 West for 5 miles to the small community of Waterlick. Turn left onto SR 678 and go approximately 6 miles. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground will be on your left.

38.92917, -78.32941 · 38°55'45.0"N 78°19'45.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 42°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	42	46	54	65	73	82	86	85	79	68	56	46
Low °F	21	23	30	39	49	58	63	61	54	42	31	25
Precip in	2.9	2.3	3.2	2.8	4.4	4.2	3.9	3.4	4.4	2.6	2.5	2.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area?: No. Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area

Elizabeth Furnace 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Elizabeth Furnace Group Camp 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Little Fort 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mathews Arm Campground 11.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Strasburg Visitor & Information Center 5.1 mi · Visitor Center
CCBF Museum & Visitor Center 6.3 mi · Visitor Center
Belle Grove Welcome Center 6.5 mi · Visitor Center
NPS Visitor Center 7.6 mi · Facility
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center 7.8 mi · Facility
Batzell Boat Launch 9 mi · Facility
Seekford Boat Launch 10.4 mi · Facility
Moody Boat Launch 11.5 mi · Facility

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Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.