Outdoor Recreation
Our landscape is about as wide-open as it gets. Since the land is practically untouched, the County of Bath, VA is one of the most popular areas on the coast for outdoor recreations and outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing and trout fishing. The county has nine fish hatcheries, a blowing spring, multiple dams, and numerous recreational areas to enjoy. Also, we have a skateboard park and tennis courts that are both open year round.
Blowing Springs
Route 39
7698 Mountain Valley Road
Warm Springs, VA 24484
For information, contact the Warm Springs Ranger District: 540-839-2521
Operated by the US Forest Service
For those who enjoy getting back in touch with nature, the Blowing Springs recreational area offers a
more primitive camping experience. Visitors will be amazed by the phenomenon for which this site is
named—a unique geological feature creates a duct that blows air out of the rocks at a constant
58 degrees, which may feel warm or cool depending upon the season. And what this area lacks in
modern conveniences, it makes up for with its slew of endless activities. Campers can enjoy
fishing in Back Creek, swimming, whitewater paddling and hiking all while embracing wilderness at its
best. Blowing Springs is open year round. There is a camping fee of $10. First-come, first-serve only.
Coursey Springs Fish Hatchery
300 Hatchery Lane
Millboro, VA 24460
540-925-2343
Coursey Springs is one of nine fish hatcheries operated by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Originally constructed in the 1960’s, this new state of the art facility draws water from the third
largest spring in the State of Virginia and produces about 500,000 catchable size trout (or 350,000lbs).
Coursey Springs is strictly a grow-out facility; no trout are spawned or hatched here. It receives
trout fingerlings from the Paint Bank Fish Culture Station in Craig County, VA and grows them to a
catchable size. Although the hatchery has no formal visitor’s center, the public is welcome to
receive a free guided tour 365 days a year from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dominion Back Creek Recreational Area
Route 600
316 Power Station Drive
Warm Springs, VA 24484
The Dominion Back Creek recreational area is located adjacent to the world’s most powerful pumped
storage generating station, a Dominion-owned property that provides electricity for millions of
homes across six different states. This 325 acre public recreational area contains two lakes that
are open on a seasonal basis located just downstream from the lower dam. This area is a popular
destination for fishing, non-power boating, picnicking, swimming, hiking and camping.
Douthat State Park
14329 Douthat State Park Road
Millboro, VA 24460
540-862-8100
Visitor Services Specialist: 540-862-8117
Reservations: 540-933-PARK
douthat@dcr.virginia.gov
As a traditional family park for more than 70 years, Douthat is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places because its design influenced the development of parks nationwide. Located
amid some of Virginia’s most breathtaking mountain scenery, visitors enjoy miles of stream fishing,
a 50 acre recreation lake stocked with trout, a sandy swimming beach, boat and bicycle rentals, a
camp store, miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding trails, cabins, campgrounds, picnic
areas and a Lakeside Restaurant.
Gathright Dam
Route 600
316 Power Station Drive
Warm Springs, VA 24484
540-962-1138
Approved by Congress in 1947 the Gathright Dam and most of the recreation facilities were
constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers between 1965 and 1979. Gathright Dam and Lake
Moomaw provide flood and water quality control along the Jackson and the James Rivers. Adjacent
to the dam is 13,428 acres known as the T.M. Gathright Wildlife Management Area which is managed
by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The area is devoted to the enhancement
and management of wildlife, especially wild turkey.
Hidden Valley Dispersed Recreational Area
1531 Hidden Valley Road
Warm Springs, VA 24484
For information, contact the Warm Springs Ranger District: 540-839-2521
Operated by the US Forest Service
Situated in a remote area of the George Washington National Forest, Hidden Valley is rich in both
history and natural beauty. With over 6.5 miles of the Jackson River and 24 miles of trails,
Hidden Valley offers excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking, biking and camping. When exploring
the rustic nature of Hidden Valley, visitors flock to Poor Farm, one of the most popular fishing,
hunting and dispersed camping spots in the Warm Springs Ranger District. Hidden Valley is also home
to the antebellum Warwickton Mansion built by Judge James Wood Warwick in 1848, which now operates
as the Hidden Valley Bed and Breakfast. Warwickton Mansion, listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, was also the shooting set for the 1993 post Civil War film Sommersby starring
Richard Gere and Jodie Foster. Visitors can view the mansion from the river but reservations at
the Hidden Valley Bed and Breakfast are required to enter the gate. For information about the
Hidden Valley Bed and Breakfast, email hiddenvalleybb@tds.net.
Lake Moomaw/Bolar Mountain Recreational Area/Gaithright Dam
Route 600
756 Twin Ridge Drive
Warm Springs, VA 24484
For information, contact the Warm Springs Ranger District: 540-839-2521
Operated by the US Forest Service
Lake Moomaw and the Bolar Mountain recreational areas are among the most popular developed
recreational areas in the George Washington National Forest and provide an endless array of
activities including boating, fishing, hiking, biking and camping. The Grouse Point Overlook
and the Island Overlook are also two popular vista locations in the Bolar Mountain region
which offer a scenic panoramic view of Lake Moomaw.
Skateboard Park (Year Round)
65 Panther Drive
Hot Springs, VA 24445
540-839-7211.
This recreational skateboard park, operated by the Bath County Parks and Recreation department
is open to the public free of charge from daylight to 10:00 p.m. daily (weather permitting).
Helmets are required.
Tennis Courts (Year Round)
65 Panther Drive
Hot Springs, VA 24445
540-839.7211.
The tennis courts are operated by the Bath County Parks and Recreation and boast four asphalt
tennis courts available free of charge from daylight to 10:00 p.m. daily.
No reservations, courts available on a first come, first serve basis.
Warm Springs Mountain Preserve
Route 39 and Route 703
Warm Springs, VA 24484
540-839-3599
www.nature.org
Operated by the Nature Conservancy
In March of 2002 the Nature Conservancy acquired 9,000 acres of ecologically important,
privately owned forest. Bordering the Homestead Resort, the Warm Springs Mountain Preserve
includes a globally rare montane pine barren and an old growth hickory forest which provides
habitat for several rare plants and invertebrates. A great 2.4 mile hike begins at the Ingalls
Overlook and includes a well marked interpretive trail that provides an excellent introduction
to the mountain. Several hikes are available under the expert guidance of Nature Conservancy
staff; contact the Nature Conservancy to schedule additional hikes through private preserve lands.
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