bolar mountain recreation area

Absolutely gorgeous, beautiful area. Secluded, beautiful waters, great air, scenic views, scenic drive to the area from DC. The serenity and beauty of this place warrants a 5/5, the crowd, more like a 0/5. Let me explain... There are some real backwoods bigots here with their big trucks and prejudice here. I'm in an interracial relationship (Asian + white, the most vanilla of them all) and the stares were intolerable. Or was it the fact that I was the only minority and I'm not welcome? I went to Gatlinburg the summer before I didn't feel as unwelcome as I did here. (Someone said I'm "almost white" which is quite progressive!) My SO only managed to mention casually once we got here that he brought his ex (an Afro-Brazilian) down here for a day trip with a mutual male (gay) friend and they got the look of death from just about everyone. I only had one day of this wonderful Americana action because my SO got sick and we scrammed once there was enough sun to navigate out of the area. There's absolutely no reception up here so store your maps on your phone ("ok maps" on google maps), bring a physical map. Despite an intolerant crowd, I would not "not suggest" this place because I am all about "stand [your] ground" too! If more pleasant, not-bigoted, diverse people pay this beautiful lake a visit and make this a vacation hot spot (because it definitely warrants that), some people can actually enjoy themselves without feeling Billy Bob and Annie Mae's beady little (blue) eyes staring lasers through you.

This is a beautiful and well-maintained campground if you are looking for some peace and serenity. We stayed in Loop 3 and had a site right on the lake. I was amazed at how quiet this campground was. It helps that Loop 3 is at the end of the road, so you don’t hear any cars except those coming into the campground. The bathrooms were very clean and plenty of hot water for the showers. The sites are quite big (we were in a tent) and there was some distance between sites, so you didn’t feel crowded. Great hiking or bring your kayaks to enjoy the lake. We are definitely going back next year!

We stayed on the beach by the lake for one day. There is a sandy beach and a good swimming area. They also have camping and boating (which looked wonderful). We stayed in Warm Springs close by. Great place for a family outing if you don't camp.