Sherando Lake

I grew up coming to this lake in the summer and was excited to share my childhood hang-​out with my husband.
We pulled up to the gate and asked if we could do a quick drive through so I could show my husband the swimming area. We had no intention of staying. The lady at the guard house waved us through. We did a circle in the parking lot and then a park ranger pulled us over. My husband tried to explain that we were just driving through. She wrote us a ticket for illegal entry after we were given permission to go through.
I will never return and don’t recommend this place to anyone. The park ranger was obnoxious and wouldn’t even let us tell our story. She acted like a bully! Never to return…

Such a great little place to camp! Everything is within walking distance but not crammed together. You have to walk to the top of the hill on the upper lake and take in the view as it is spectacular. The only reason I’m giving 4 instead of 5 is on our way out we asked a ranger if he had a map and he said «you’re the one traveling not me» but who could let that ruin an amazing campground experience! Oh and BRING BUGSPRAY! The bugs we especially bad down at the main lake but it was expected being right beside a lake! Have fun!

Great park was traveling sky line drive then blue ridge parkway just happened upon the lake. Park rangers friendly and helpful got a last minute spot on Memorial Day weekend. Lots of bathrooms and showers available all clean, great water pressure. Beautiful scenery. Only downfall sites close together and you always have that 1 loud neighbor.

The staff was very helpful to arrange for a camp site. The camp sites are very close to where you can park your vehicle. The sites themselves could probably hold up to three tents of normal size 2 – 3 people, but you’re only allowed 2 cars per site. There was plenty of wood to be found for the camp fire. We saw a pileated woodpecker and a doe in the woods next to our camp. The walk to the lake is very short and bikes make for good transportation. There is a small gas station right before you enter the camp, if you need something, they have it for a price. Stop in Waynesboro or Charlottesville for supplies. We were surprised by how clean our camp site was when arriving, the staff takes great care to prepare each site for new campers. There is water and bathrooms near most camp sites. Our site had a picnic table, standing counter table and a hook for garbage. Below our camp was a amphitheater with a live bluegrass band that played into the night and ended up singing us to sleep I our tent.

Good beach but too many smokers around us, so be careful of it if you have kids

This is a great watery getaway just a short distance off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The lake covers 24 acres, and is allegedly spring fed, although there was also a sign saying it was built by the CCC in 1935. Canoes and kayaks are welcomed outside the swimming area. The swimming area is roped off from the rest of the lake, and features a crescent shaped sandy beach wrapping around a corner of the lake. The water seems pretty clean, although if you venture beyond the ropes the lake bottom ceases to be sand. It becomes this oozy sucking mud that will swallow your feet with every step.
Biggest drawback is the 8 dollar day use fee charged by the Forest Service.