Lake Sherwood is one of the most loved recreation lakes in the West Virginia mountains – a 165-acre Forest Service lake high in the Monongahela National Forest near the Virginia line, nicknamed the “Jewel of the Forest.” With a big sandy swimming beach, a popular campground, quiet no-gas-motor water and miles of trails, it’s a classic family-and-fishing getaway in the eastern highlands.
This guide covers Lake Sherwood: the recreation area, the fishing, and access. It’s part of our growing West Virginia Lakes Database.
Lake Sherwood at a glance
- Surface area: ~165 acres in the Monongahela National Forest
- Location: Greenbrier County, eastern West Virginia (near Neola, by the Virginia line)
- Type: a Forest Service recreation lake (no gas motors)
- Top fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, some trout
The “Jewel of the Forest”
Lake Sherwood earns its nickname. Tucked into the high forest near the Virginia border, it pairs a large sandy swimming beach with one of the most popular campgrounds in the Monongahela National Forest, all surrounded by mountains and hardwood-and-spruce woods. The setting is scenic and family-friendly, and because the lake is restricted to non-gas motors, it stays quiet and clean – perfect for swimming, paddling and unhurried fishing.
Fishing Lake Sherwood
The lake offers pleasant warmwater fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish, with some trout in the cooler water. A West Virginia fishing license (and trout stamp where applicable) is required. Anglers fish from the bank, canoes, kayaks and electric-motor boats; the quiet coves and the dam area are productive.
Camping, swimming and trails
The Forest Service recreation area includes a campground, the swimming beach and bathhouse, picnic areas, boat rentals and a network of hiking trails – including the Lake Sherwood and Allegheny Mountain trails that climb into the surrounding forest. It’s a full-weekend destination for camping, swimming, fishing and hiking, busy in summer and quiet and colorful in fall.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lake Sherwood is east of Neola in Greenbrier County, near the Virginia line, reached via WV-14/Lake Sherwood Road off US-219. The historic resort town of White Sulphur Springs (home of The Greenbrier), Lewisburg and the Greenbrier Valley are within reach.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: required (plus a trout stamp for trout).
- No gas motors: quiet, clean water – bring a paddle craft or electric motor.
- Reserve in summer: the campground is one of the forest’s most popular – book ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Lake Sherwood?
Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and some trout.
Can you swim and camp at Lake Sherwood?
Yes – it has a large sandy swimming beach and one of the most popular campgrounds in the Monongahela National Forest, plus trails and boat rentals.
Where is Lake Sherwood?
In Greenbrier County, eastern West Virginia, east of Neola near the Virginia line in the Monongahela National Forest.
Related: explore the small lakes of West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
