Lake Moomaw Hike
Lake Moomaw, in the Allegheny Highlands, is created by the Gathright Dam that backs up the Jackson River for over 12 miles. The dam and lake were completed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1980's, and was designed to provide flood control and recreation including miles of hiking trails that surround the lake. The lake is a popular area for boaters, and many people also canoe from Campground 3 out to the Greenwood Point Campground.The out and back hike starts at the main parking area and beach passing the two tent camp areas Bolar Mountain 1 & 2. We highly recommend Lake Moomaw as a car camping location where you can not only hike the trails, but also swim, fish and enjoy other water sports.
Camping during the Off Season - Starting Labor Day: Campgrounds 2 and 3 closed. If you are backpacking, first stop at the marina to pay to camp and hang the pass on the car rearview mirror.
- Mile 0.0 - From the trailhead next to the first camp spot of Bolar Mountain Campground 3 head up the blue blazed Greenwood Point Trail for 0.2 miles where the trail will make a turn back through the first of several gullies. Cross a small creek and turn back passing over a spur, then descend again through another gully before the steepest climb of 0.2 miles to the hike high point, and beautiful vista of Lake Moomaw.
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Mile 1.1 - From the high point descend for 0.4 miles crossing a stream over a wooden footbridge, then steeply ascend a spur for 0.2 miles to the intersection of an older section of the Greenwood Point Trail.
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Mile 1.9 - Continue left on the older section of trail. From here the variance in grade is considerably less for the remaining 1.3 miles to the Greenwood Point Campground.
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Mile 3.2 - Arrive at the the Greenwood Point Campground. A privy is located nearby.
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Mile 5.6 - Retrace your route and return to the parking area.
