Cave Mountain Lake Group Picnic Shelter

Cave Mountain Lake Group Picnic Shelter is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and welcomes visitors to enjoy the rustic beauty and peacefulness of the area. Easy access from the interstate and close proximity to historic Lexington and Natural Bridge State Park make Cave Mountain Lake an ideal destination. The picnic shelter is a historic structure that does not support accessibility standards. Parking is available in the day-use parking area, and the shelter is reached via a foot bridge and a gravel path. It can accommodate up to 50 people. The picnic shelter reservation fee covers access to Cave Mountain Lake for the reservation holder only; all other guests are responsible for the appropriate day-use fee, which can be paid onsite. Amenities include electricity for lights and small appliances, a fireplace, eight picnic tables under the shelter with more nearby, a double pedestal grill, trash cans and a drinking fountain with a spigot. Flush toilets, showers and changing areas are available at the beach bathhouse, within walking distance. The day use area, including the picnic shelter, closes at 9 pm or dark, whichever comes first; the main gate on State Route 781 closes at 10 pm, and visitors not camping need to exit before then. The 7-acre lake offers swimming in a designated area with a sand beach. Fishing is for youth only (ages 15 and under) from April 1 through June 15, then open to anglers of all ages with a valid Virginia fishing license for the remainder of the season; several piers around the lake provide better fishing access. Trails and the water's edge offer opportunities for photography, birding and wildlife viewing. Hiking trails surround the area, from a short walk around the lake to an all-day hike along the nearby ridges. The Panther Knob Trail starts beside the group picnic shelter and skirts the edge of the lake to the dam. Visitors may also enjoy a day hike or backpacking trip on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the James River Face Wilderness or the Thunder Ridge Wilderness. Cave Mountain Lake covers seven acres and was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, using existing natural rock buttresses to form the 35-foot dam. A grassy field extends from the lake's sandy beach to forested hills that paint a scenic backdrop. Lexington, Virginia, just 20 minutes away, is home to several historic sites including the Stonewall Jackson House, the George C. Marshall Museum and the Virginia Military Institute Museum, and is a charming town with horse drawn carriage rides through the streets. Ice and other sundries can be found at small stores along State Route 759. Natural Bridge State Park is a short 8-mile drive and offers views of the 215-foot Natural Bridge and limestone gorge, 6 miles of hiking trails, a Monacan Indian village and the 30-foot cascade of Lace Falls.