Picnicking
Bring your picnic basket to one of our developed picnic areas scattered throughout the forest! Many locations have picnic tables, vault toilets, and fire grates or rings to enhance your time savoring your meal and the beauty of your surroundings.
Picnicking in the National Forest
- Always be mindful of wildlife, especially bears, and store food properly in bear-resistant containers or vehicles.
- Check for fire restrictions and permits before starting a campfire, as fire danger levels can vary.
- Be prepared to pack out all trash, as onsite garbage service may be limited or unavailable.
- Use picnic sites, swimming beaches and other day use areas only between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Most picnic areas are closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Check information boards or signs for more information.
Search for Picnicking Opportunities
Bark Camp Recreation Area
Site Open
Bark Camp Recreation Area offers a day use area and a campground situated near a 45-acre lake that is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. A three mile shoreline trail circles the lake, offering…
Beartree Recreation Area
Site Open
Chipmunk Loop in Beartree Campground is now open for primitive camping on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the ongoing rebuilding of utility lines into the Beartree Recreation Area, there…
Blowing Springs Campground
Site Open
Offering both sunny and shaded camping sites, visitors to Blowing Springs Campground will be amazed by the phenomenon for which this site is named. A unique geological feature creates a duct that…
Blue Hole Day Use Area
Site Open
A popular day use, picnicking location popular for many locals in north Rockingham County.
Bolar Flat Marina
Site Open
The marina is located on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, the second largest lake in western Virginia with 43 miles of undeveloped, wooded shoreline. There is a picnic day use area, group picnic…
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area
Site Open
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area at Lake Moomaw offers visitors a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides opportunities for plenty of activities, including camping, boating, fishing and hiking,…
Braley Pond Day Use Area
Site Open
Braley Pond Day Use Area is a very popular access to multiple trailheads including Ramsey's Draft Wilderness. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy this area for picnicking, fishing, or camping overnight in…
Brandywine Recreation Area
Site Open
Located on the 10-acre Brandywine Lake, this wooded recreation area affords access to multiple hiking and mountain biking trails, a swimming beach, and a campground with an onsite host.
Caldwell Fields Group Campground
Site Open
Caldwell Fields offers two large, open fields for group camping, Milton and George Fields. These fields are ideal for campers who require few amenities. A third field is available at the site for…
Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area
Site Open
Camp Roosevelt Campground is the site of the first Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in the Nation. Follow the path through the CCC camp and view the foundations where the actual buildings once stood.…