George Washington & Jefferson National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Lost City, WV, WV★ 4.5 (117 reviews)From $25/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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.
Best for:AnglersHikersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV99 ft
Hookups14 electric sites
ADA sites52 sites
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsShowersBoat Launch
Recreation
Picnic TablesElectric Hookups
Family & Pets
Flush ToiletsFishing
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need full RV hookups — only electric available on select sites, no water or sewer✕ You're visiting outside May-October — campground closes seasonally✕ You require restrooms at all times — verify facility status before arrival per camper reports
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
The counterclockwise loop around the pond features mostly flat, crushed gravel path for the first part
Electric hookups available on select sites only; plan accordingly for RV camping
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Timber Rattlesnake present in area. Also North American River Otter, American Beaver, Red Fox, Eastern Phoebe, and Wood Turtle documented within 8km.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
1(304)897-6450· George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at George Washington & Jefferson National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Trout Pond Recreation Area cost per night?+
Trout Pond Recreation Area costs $25–$47 per night. Hookup options: Electric hookups on select sites. No water/sewer.
What season is Trout Pond Recreation Area open?+
Trout Pond Recreation Area is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Trout Pond Recreation Area have hookups?+
Electric hookups on select sites. No water/sewer.
What is the maximum RV length at Trout Pond Recreation Area?+
Trout Pond Recreation Area can accommodate RVs up to 99 feet.
How do I make reservations at Trout Pond Recreation Area?+
Trout Pond Recreation Area is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Trout Pond Recreation Area?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Trout Pond Recreation Area is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Trout Pond Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Trout Pond Recreation Area is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$25 /night★ 4.5 (117)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Trout Pond Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Trout Pond Recreation Area open?+
Does Trout Pond Recreation Area have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.
$25–47 /nightNo booking fees