Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

Bolar Mountain Recreation Area
4.5
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The area
Address
756 Twin Ridge Drive, Warm Springs, VA 24484
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

4.5
34 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
10
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

G M
2 contributions
Jul 2021
Had an RV site in Loop 1. Left after 2 days into a 3-day reservation. Might as well have camped at a dog kennel. Dogs everywhere, doing what dogs do. No peace and quiet. Irresponsible/inconsiderate owners. Camp hosts said this has been a problem for some time, but they are powerless to do anything about the loud dogs. Really?
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

DandHS
Leesburg, VA43 contributions
May 2021
This is a gorgeous park for camping. The view is stunning, there are many lake front sites if you reserve long enough in advance as we did.

We discovered it last year by chance taking up a canceled spot with friends on Labor day, and returned this year the week before Memorial day. There is a significant difference between the place when in full capacity - obviously noise, crowd, and jet ski traffic on the lake.

Also seems to be in transition from privately operated to state owned - when we visited this year none of the Marina services were operating which forces you to drive back to the nearest WV store for necessities such as ice etc.

The facilities (shower, restrooms) were relatively clean (if you don't mind the crawlers, occasional mouse running across) but this was mainly for a lightly occupied camp, as mentioned above and indeed during the labor day weekend they were in much worst condition.

So if you are geared for self sufficiency and pick an off time this is one of the most beautiful sites in VA, with an unbeatable cost/benefit ratio for a tranquil and relaxing vacation.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

chloe r
4 contributions
Jul 2020
Besides getting rained out on our last night, Bolar was an extraordinary campsite.
The water was so blue and warm. The people were great. I would definitely recommend reserving online beforehand as we got lucky and got one of the last two available sites. Also, shop beforehand for necessities and food: driving to get things is one hell of a hike and there are no supermarkets nearby, just small mom & pop shops which don't get me wrong, definitely are authentic and cute, just do not have a lot of the necessities.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

MrsNMom
1 contribution
Aug 2019 • Family
No problems. Perfect experience. Kids loved the movie and beach. Needed more ice and ice cream at the marina, though, even though we realized it was very hot.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Ironman
7 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
We spent one night at Bolar Mountain, as looming inclement weather forced us into Plan B (more on this). However, if one wants to escape humanity for a bit, this place is your medicine.

The Good: Plenty of lots and sites to choose, some with electricity. Ammenities are great (showers, restrooms, picnic tables, fire pits & level tent terrain). Clean, well kept area with beautiful views of Lake Moomaw. Secluded with great riding in and around the area. If you're ADV Motorcycling, take #687 to #603, it's a hoot because it's unpaved and runs along/above the river. Very cool riding all around here. Check out Ingalls Field Airport, too. It's atop a mountain.

The Bad: We paid for 2 nights, but had to bail due to the aforementioned weather issues, and were denied one night's refund. Not cool, especially since we paid the camp hosts cash and a small tip for bringing us a modest $6 bundle of firewood. At least we negotiated a discount for an extra nights stay at The Inn at Warm Springs (see my review of that great place), so it was a wash, I suppose?

Anyway, 4☆ due to the hosts not refunding one night to us. Otherwise, this place is a perfect retreat for ADV riders particularly. Tons of great riding and then back to the campsite for a relaxing lakeside evening.

P.S. Bring your own wood if possible (obviously if you're not on MC's) or a means to cut up downed limbs because $6/bundle gets you barely thru a short night. Chainsaws are prohibited, I believe.

Happy camping, riding and chilling!
Written November 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

sailorman2008
Chicago, IL109 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Although Lake Moomaw is man made it is a pretty area. Did some canoeing and camped one night on a little island all to ourselves. Great place for kids or Grandkids. Great Fall colors too. Watch out for bears though. Very quiet!
Written November 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

adharris0915
Forest, VA505 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We stopped in for a few hours on a Saturday morning to play on the playground and swim a bit. The beach was great and not crowded. It was a little rockier than Douthat, but so much prettier and with nicer facilities. I'm sorry we didn't discover it sooner!
Written July 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Larry F
58 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
We stayed in the Bolar Mountain Campground 3 which has spacious sites and a few with standard electric and water hookups. The sites are well-graded and very level with hard-packed gravel dust surfaces. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and enough space for your RV, vehicle and possibly a tent. There are lots of mature trees and every site is well shaded. Sites along the lake do not have electric hookups. Bathhouses are all accessible, large, private rooms with shower, sink and toilet. Floors are painted concrete. These were not the cleanest we've seen, but they were not awful either. Reservations are advised.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

ProfExit1
Shepherdstown, WV67 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
BMRA includes several campgrounds and day use areas on Lake Moomaw. We stayed in the Bolar Mountain Campground in Loop 2 in June 2018. The campground was fairly full during our stay. Our loop had 4 family style bathrooms (each bathroom contained a shower, sink, and toilet). The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but definitely not the worst I've seen either. We stayed at a waterfront site (no electric). Most of the waterfront sites had a path down to the water. It was very easy to launch kayaks right from our site. We also had a little sandy beach area for swimming. Each site contained a picnic table, lantern hook, and fire pit. Each site had moderate to full shade. The trees provided some privacy between sites.

Water levels seem to change, sometimes quickly in this lake. If you're boating, keep this in mind. The lake water seemed very clean and with minimum debris on the shoreline. The lake is busier on weekend days, especially with motor boats.

There is a marina close by and a little convenience store. However, the closest grocery store (IGA) is 30+ minutes away in Hot Springs. Dollar General, a bank, and gas station are also 30 minutes away.

There is no AT&T cell service or wifi here. The campground doesn't have laundry facilities.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

jeepfan2015
Union, WV10 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We stayed in the Sugar Ridge section in July. We had an absolutely fantastic time. We were tent camping. There was a water supply nearby, and accessible bathrooms. A few small issues to be aware of: the online description says campsites have grills; this is true, but they are not the classic grill on a pole, they are more like big fire pits with the grill two feet above the ground; we had brought charcoal for cooking, but because of this wound up having to purchase wood. Also, 2 of the 4 showers had outside doors that did not seem to be able to close fully. (!). Really, these were little things though - the campground host was very nice, the people at the store were great- we rented kayaks and had a great time; there was fishing, and an outdoor movie on Saturday night. We explored nearby Warm Springs one day, which made for a great side trip. The bugs were not bad, and I heard whipporwills and screech owls at night. The beach was a lot of fun. The other people in the campground were nice, and we had fun strolling around, seeing what all the other campers do- everything from a guy with a motorcycle and a pup tent to luxery RV's. I would highly recommend this campground - we had a great time, and would love to return soon.
Written July 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Bolar Mountain Recreation Area (Warm Springs) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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