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Hidden Valley Lake

This 61-acre Department-owned impoundment is in the Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area in Washington County. Hidden Valley Lake is located in the mountains at about 3,500 feet of elevation. The south side of the lake is almost completely forested, and the north side is a mixture of woods and open lands. These open lands provide good bank access for anglers. Hidden Valley Lake supports populations self-sustaining populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and black crappie. Channel catfish and northern pike are stocked.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) will require an Access Permit for visitors to department-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public fishing lakes, who are age 17 and older, unless they possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration. Learn more about the Access Permit.

Primitive camping is allowed. No developed campground facilities are available. No camping is allowed within 100 yards of the lake shoreline.

Hidden Valley Lake offers plenty of opportunity for hiking and rock climbing, as well. 

After many years of effort, the non-profit Carolina Climbers Coalition acquired access rights to the climbing areas around the lake. 

Hidden Valley is a sandstone cliff band ranging up to about 70 feet high. The climbing is mostly face climbing, with some large roofs, corners and aretes thrown in for good measure. 

For more information on climbing at Hidden Valley Lake, visit carolinaclimbers.org