Blue Hole Day Use Area
Campground
4.6 (24)
Blue Hole Rd, Bergton, VA 22811
Public restroom
RiverVA
Blue Hole - Bergton
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Explore Blue Hole near Bergton with reviewed river photos, qualified directions and practical planning notes. Current swimming access and water conditions need checking.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
The Forest Service prohibits cliff diving and rope swings here. Its designated-site order restricts swimming outside designated swimming areas in developed recreation areas; no designated swim zone was verified for Blue Hole. Confirm permitted water access with the ranger district. Historical photos do not establish safe depth or water quality.
Official sources checked:
Water type
River
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
No site fee, per the Forest Service profile. Free day use does not establish swimming permission.
Best season
Plan within sunrise-to-sunset day-use hours. Check current access, weather and river conditions
Nearby towns
Harrisonburg, Broadway, Bergton
Water body
North Fork Shenandoah River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Harrisonburg, Broadway, Bergton
Access location not verified
38.768527, -78.942798
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Blue Hole - Bergton
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Blue Hole near Bergton: wooded river scenery and day-use planning
This North Fork Shenandoah River location has layered rock banks and a gravel bar visible in the gallery. The Forest Service profile lists free, year-round day use from sunrise to sunset. A recreation-site opening is not a water-quality clearance or verification of swimming authorization.
Bring drinking water and plan restroom stops
Picnic tables are officially listed, but potable water is not available. The local community account reports no toilets; do not rely on the old outhouse description. This is a day-use destination, not an invitation to camp on the grassy bank.
Use official directions, not the old pin
The operator route from Broadway uses VA259 for about14.3miles, VA820 for about1.5miles, then FS302 toward the day-use area. Follow current signs and confirm lawful parking. The retained historical coordinates are unverified and should not be treated as an exact water entry.
No cliff diving or rope swings
The operator explicitly prohibits cliff diving and rope swings. Its designated-site order restricts swimming outside designated swimming areas in developed recreation sites. No designated swim zone was established here; confirm permitted water access with North River Ranger District at540-432-0187.
Monitoring and photographs are not clearance
The DEQ station record is not a verified swimming entry, and we have not assessed current sampling results. Three reviewed historical landscape views document the river setting, not today's depth or flow. Do not jump or dive based on a photograph.
Getting There
The Forest Service route from Broadway follows VA 259 about 14.3 miles, left onto VA 820 about 1.5 miles, then left onto FS 302 to Blue Hole Day Use Area. Follow current signs and confirm lawful parking. The retained historical coordinates differ from the published day-use location and are unverified; neither they nor the nearby water-monitoring station identify a confirmed swimming entry. Do not use an outhouse as a landmark.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The Forest Service lists Blue Hole open year-round for day use, sunrise to sunset. This establishes recreation-site hours, not a swimming season, designated swim zone or water-quality clearance. Check current alerts before travel.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
The Forest Service prohibits cliff diving and rope swings here. Its designated-site order restricts swimming outside designated swimming areas in developed recreation areas; no designated swim zone was verified for Blue Hole. Confirm permitted water access with the ranger district. Historical photos do not establish safe depth or water quality. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
15004 Bergton Rd Parking
Parking lot
15004 Bergton Rd, Bergton, VA 22811
Bergton Park & Ride
Park & ride
4.3 (3)
15004 Bergton Rd, Bergton, VA 22811
Trumbo Hollow Hike Trailhead - Appalachian Trail
Hiking area
4.5 (71)
13167 John Marshall Hwy, Linden, VA 22642
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
Hiking area
4.9 (632)
215 Afton Depot Ln, Afton, VA 22920
Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Holiday
Campground
4.5 (763)
12480 Mountain Valley Rd, Broadway, VA 22815
Free Wi-Fi
Bennies Beach Campground
Campground
3.9 (15)
8399 Brocks Gap Rd, Broadway, VA 22815
RestroomRunning waterTent sites
Shenandoah River State Park RV Campground
Campground
4.9 (82)
Unnamed Road, Bentonville, VA 22610
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Hole - Bergton
Are there restrooms at Blue Hole near Bergton?
The local community account reports no toilets or drinking-water pump. Do not rely on the older outhouse description; bring water and plan restroom stops elsewhere.
Can I camp beside the river?
The community account says camping is not allowed. Do not assume the grassy bank is an authorized campsite.
Is swimming currently verified?
No designated swim zone was established from the operator profile. Confirm permitted water access with North River Ranger District; local history and saved photos do not establish safe depth or water-quality clearance.
Is there a fee and what are the hours?
The Forest Service lists no site fee and year-round day use from sunrise to sunset. Those hours are not a swimming-season guarantee.
Are cliff diving and rope swings allowed?
No. The Forest Service explicitly prohibits cliff diving and rope swings at Blue Hole.
Does the DEQ station tell me where to enter the water?
No. The monitoring-site coordinates are not a confirmed public swimming entry, and the existence of sampling records is not a current safety result.
What do the gallery photos show?
Three reviewed historical landscape views show wooded banks, layered rocks, a gravel bar and an exposed rocky channel. They are not a report of today's river conditions.
Highlights
Layered riverbank rock formations
Three reviewed landscape photos
Free Forest Service day use
Picnic tables, no potable water
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Submerged obstacles and changing river levels can make an apparently inviting pool dangerous
- Do not assume lifeguard coverage
- Avoid flood conditions and carry drinking water; mobile service may be limited
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The Bergton Fair community account describes Blue Hole as a long-used local river recreation spot.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Reviewed historical photos show the layered rock wall, wooded banks, gravel bar and exposed rocky channel. They do not establish today's depth, flow, water quality or access.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Pack out litter, avoid disturbing riverbank vegetation and keep access routes clear. Keep dogs on a leash no longer than six feet and observe the designated-site order's alcohol restrictions in picnic and parking areas.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Plan within sunrise-to-sunset day-use hours. Check current access, weather and river conditions; a warm day does not establish suitable swimming conditions.
Difficulty Level
Uneven gravel and river banks are visible in reviewed photos. No measured trail distance, accessible route or verified water-entry difficulty established.
Fee
No site fee, per the Forest Service profile. Free day use does not establish swimming permission.
Facilities
The local account reports that the old outhouse and hand pump are gone. Earlier descriptions promising a toilet are withdrawn; bring drinking water and plan restroom stops before arrival.
Activities
River scenery and locally documented day-use recreation; current swimming authorization remains unverified.
Phone
North River Ranger District: 540-432-0187
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
The Forest Service identifies day use only. The community account says camping is not allowed; do not assume the grassy bank is a campsite.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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