Trout Pond Recreation Area

Campground · West Virginia · 47 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Wardensville Wildlife Management Area (Wildlife Management Area) · Restricted Access

47
Bookable sites
99 ft
Max rig length
up to 100
People per site
52
Accessible sites
1,976 ft
Elevation
Swimming at Trout Pond
Photo: Local staff · Recreation.gov

Overview

Trout Pond Recreation Area boasts two bodies of water, Rock Cliff Lake and Trout Pond. Relax on a sandy mountain beach or fish for stocked trout while relaxing along the cool waters of Rock Cliff Lake.

Trout Pond, home to native Brook trout, is the only natural lake in West Virginia. A designated swimming area, easy lakeside trails, and a children's playground make this a perfect family destination.

Recreation

A trail surrounding the entire lake provides bank fishing access at Rock Cliff Lake. All types of boating from motor to sailboats are welcome.

Hike the Trout Pond Loop trail, an easy 4-mile excursion, with an optional 2-mile side route, to an overlook of Rockcliff Lake. For a more challenging hike, a connecting trail provides a steep climb up Long and Devil's Hole Mountains.

Facilities

Campsites come with a campfire ring and picnic table, and some of have electric hookups. Hot showers and flush toilets are an easy walk away from each site.

The day-use area includes a white-sand swim beach, boat ramp, showers, playground and 30 picnic sites.

Natural Features

Rock Cliff Lake is a 17-acre man-made lake with a maximum depth of 36 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. Trout Pond, the naturally formed lake, was created by a sinkhole that filled with mountain stream water and run-off from Long Mountain. Trout Pond can vary in waterflow. Please visit the Forest Service website for our most up to date conditions. 

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (540) 984-4101 for general information.

Charges & Cancellations

group shelter nonelectric 1-50 people $65, 51-100 people $100, standard non electric is $19.00 per night

The facts

  • Season: early-May – October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 47 bookable sites
  • 52 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 2 sites for day use only
  • 52 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 99 ft
  • Up to 100 people per site
  • Loops: DOUB, PICA, PICB, S&P, SING, Sing

Site types

  • 35 Standard Nonelectric
  • 11 Standard Electric
  • 5 Management
  • 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Electric hookups
  • Campfires allowed
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available
  • Sewer hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

52 campsites at Trout Pond Recreation Area

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
014DOUBStandard ElectricBack InGravel99 ft16♿ 🐾
033DOUBStandard NonelectricBack InGravel99 ft16♿ 🐾
034DOUBStandard NonelectricBack InGravel99 ft16♿ 🐾
00APICAGroup Shelter Nonelectric—Gravel—100♿ 🐾
00BPICBManagement—Gravel—100♿ 🐾
Double Electric S&PS&PManagementBack InGravel45 ft16♿ 🐾
Double S&PS&PManagementBack InGravel45 ft16♿ 🐾
Electric S&PS&PManagementBack InGravel30 ft8♿ 🐾
Standard S&PS&PManagementBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
001SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
002SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel30 ft8♿ 🐾
004SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
006SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
008SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
010SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
011SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
012SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel30 ft8♿ 🐾
013SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
015SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
017SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
019SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8♿ 🐾
020SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8♿ 🐾
021SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8♿ 🐾
022SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
026SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8♿ 🐾
028SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
032SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel99 ft8♿ 🐾
035SINGStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel99 ft8♿ 🐾
036SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
037SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
038SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8♿ 🐾
039SINGStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel99 ft8♿ 🐾
040SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8♿ 🐾
041SINGStandard ElectricBack InGravel99 ft8♿ 🐾
042SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8♿ 🐾
044SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8♿ 🐾
045SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8♿ 🐾
046SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8♿ 🐾
047SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8♿ 🐾
048SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8♿ 🐾
049SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8♿ 🐾
050SINGStandard NonelectricBack InGravel99 ft8♿ 🐾
016SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
018SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
023SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
024SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
025SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
027SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
029SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
030SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
031SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾
043SingStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8♿ 🐾

Getting there

From Strasburg, VA, follow State Route 55 west for 18 miles to Wardensville, WV. Turn left on SR 23/10, and travel for about 6 miles. Turn right on CR 16, and travel for 6 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 500, and drive about 1 mile to the Trout Pond Recreation Area entrance.

38.95278, -78.73472 · 38°57'10.0"N 78°44'5.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 84°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F414451647279848276655545
Low °F192026374655585750393023
Precip in————————————

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Trout Pond Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Yes, Trout Pond Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Trout Pond Recreation Area have?
52 sites in total, of which 47 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
99 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Does Trout Pond Recreation Area have hookups?
Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Trout Pond Recreation Area?
Campfires are allowed at Trout Pond Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Trout Pond Recreation Area also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Trout Pond Recreation Area's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Day use fee is $8/vehicle up to 8 passengers and $2 per person for vans and buses carrying more than 8 passengers and walk-ins. $25 per single campsite per night. $40 per double campsite per night. $7 E-hookup fee. We currently do not accept credit/debits cards at this campground. Cash or checks onl

Restrictions:

  • Alcoholic beverages prohibited.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Trout Pond Recreation Area

Comments

Contact

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.