Sherando Lake Recreation Area
Sherando Lake is located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most popular recreation areas in the George Washington National Forest. Sherando Lake Recreation is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 13.1 . Sherando Lake is a 25-acre spring fed lake where families enjoy hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, and relaxing on the sandy beach. Lower Sherando Lake is 25 acres and the largest lake and Upper Sherando Lake is only 7 acres and available for fishing only. Both lakes are fed by the South Fork Back Creek. Boats with engines are not allowed. Weekend campfire programs are held at the amphitheater Memorial Day through Labor Day. Other events include a kid’s fishing day in May and Smokey Bear’s Birthday Celebration in August.
Shernado Lake is open from 6am-10pm from early April to late October
The campground has 65 family campsites as well as group sites. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and a trailer dump station. Swimming facilities include a sandy beach, a shaded grass area, and a bathhouse with warm showers.
Hiking at Sherando Lake
There are three trailheads at Sherando Lake Recreation area:
- Blue Loop Trail
- Lakeside Trail
- Torry Ridge Trail
Recreation Area Fees – 540-291-2188
• $8 per vehicle day use fee.
• $20 per single site per night, plus $5 electric fee (some sites).
• $30 for the double site per night, plus $5 electric fee (maximum 12 people).
• Group campsite: $50 per night per group site 1 – 15 people, (maximum 75 people).
• Group picnic shelter: $25 (maximum 50 people) (day use fee applies).
Directions
From I-64: Take exit 96 just east of Stuarts Draft. Turn south onto State Route (SR) 624 and continue. At Lyndhurst the road changes to SR 664 (Mount Torrey Road), but there is no distinct turn. Continue south on SR 664 approximately 8 miles to the entrance to Sherando Lake Recreation Area on the right.
From I-81: Take exit 217 for Mint Springs/ Stuarts Draft and continue east on State Route 654 (SR) to the stoplight. Turn left onto US 340 and continue into Stuarts Draft. Off US 340, take a right onto SR 662 at the third stop light. Continue on SR 662 to the stoplight at intersection with SR 608. Continue straight ahead on what is now SR 608 (Howardsville Turnpike) following the main road as it curves left and continue to the stop sign at the intersection with SR 610 (Mount Torry Road). Turn right onto SR 610 and continue 5 miles to the entrance to Sherando Lake Recreation Area on the right.
