Lake Moomaw is a 2,530-acre lake in the mountains north of Covington, with about 43 miles of mostly undeveloped, wooded shoreline. The Army Corps of Engineers built Gathright Dam on the Jackson River for flood control and recreation, and the lake opened in 1979. It's up to 152 feet deep, and the cold, clear water is what makes it special.
From the inn, Coles Point at the south end of the lake is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car: I-64 west to Covington, then north on winding mountain roads.
Swimming and picnics
Coles Point has a swimming beach, picnic shelters, two fishing docks, two boat ramps and an open field. At the north end, Bolar Mountain has a sandy beach and a large campground. Both are run by the national forest and are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There's a day-use fee per vehicle; an America the Beautiful pass covers it.
Boating
There's no horsepower limit on the lake. Boat ramps are at Coles Point and Fortney Branch at the south end and at Bolar Flat at the north end, where there's also a marina. Some campgrounds around the shore can only be reached by boat.
Fishing
Lake Moomaw is known for trout and bass. Virginia's wildlife agency stocks trout every year, and the lake also holds smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, chain pickerel and yellow perch (including the state record). According to the agency, you don't need a separate trout license on the lake, but you do need a Virginia fishing license.
Good to know
The lake is lowered by 10 to 15 feet each year, starting in June and usually lowest by September, so late-summer shorelines are wider and some docks sit lower. Cell service around the lake is patchy, and services are few, so pack lunch from the cottage kitchen and fill up in Covington on the way.
Photo: The Ninjaneer / CC0
