Arch Avenue Public Parking
Parking lot
4.8 (4)
215 W Main St, Waynesboro, VA 22980
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
River-Hike Aggregate And Separately Restricted ReservoirVA
Sugar Hollow
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Separate Sugar Hollow Reservoir's swimming ban from the upstream Blue Hole hiking destination, with current 3.1-mile route context and honest photo/entry limits.
Swimming restriction
RWSA prohibits reservoir swimming including pets and all boating at Sugar Hollow. This is not an upstream-river blanket ban. Do not jump, dive or use unverified swings in river pools.
Water type
River-Hike Aggregate And Separately Restricted Reservoir
Access
Informal
Fee
Shenandoah admission applies if the hike enters the national park, including boundary entry. No invented reservoir parking fee or blanket free outing.
Best season
Choose a date only after checking access, weather and current notices
Nearby towns
Charlottesville, Waynesboro
Water body
North/South Fork Moormans River And Separate Water-Supply Reservoir
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Charlottesville, Waynesboro
Place-name search
Sugar Hollow Trailhead Crozet Virginia
Map searches for the named location. Confirm the entrance and current access with the park before you go.
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
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- 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 and Sugar Hollow Reservoir have different rules
Choose the upstream Moormans River hike separately from the water-supply reservoir. The two settings have different rules, and reservoir photographs do not identify the Blue Hole river pool.
The reservoir is not for swimming or boating
Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority prohibits swimming in its water-supply reservoirs, including pets, and boating of any kind at Sugar Hollow. These restrictions are specific to the reservoir, not a blanket ban on the separate upstream Moormans River pools.
Use the named Blue Hole hike
Current tourism trail information describes Blue Hole as a 3.1-mile out-and-back with creek crossings from above the reservoir. That is a planning estimate and destination context, not a measured safe water entry. A gentle fire-road grade does not make every crossing easy; turn back when water is fast, deep or rising.
Keep navigation and conditions source-specific
No old swing or numbered-pool route
The archive's other pools have not been individually reverified, and no present swing installation, jump depth or recreational water result is established. Use current maps and authorized parking signs, not old chimney, chain or numbered-pool clues. Do not block access roads or cross private property.
Admission and galleries have separate limits
Shenandoah admission applies when entering the park, including boundary hikes. That is not a fabricated reservoir parking charge. A photograph of the dam or reservoir is not a view of Blue Hole. Use destination-specific images and a current route map when planning the upstream hike. Confirm services and any overnight arrangements independently.
Getting There
Use current Sugar Hollow Road trail-access signs and a route map for the distinct upstream Blue Hole hike. Do not swim in the reservoir or navigate by old numbered-pool/rope-swing landmarks. Confirm current authorized parking without blocking roads or private property.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use authorized trail parking and current signs. Tourism lists Blue Hole 3.1 miles out and back with creek crossings; this does not establish easy crossings or clearance for every pool.
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
RWSA prohibits reservoir swimming including pets and all boating at Sugar Hollow. This is not an upstream-river blanket ban. Do not jump, dive or use unverified swings in river pools. 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.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
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
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, West Trailhead
Hiking area
4.9 (277)
483 Three Notched Mountain Hwy, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Gas Line Road Trailhead
Hiking area
5 (1)
Skyline Dr, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
Hiking area
4.8 (169)
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, Afton, VA 22920
Waynesboro North 340 Campground
Campground
4.4 (492)
1125 East Side Hwy, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Kid-friendly
Public Restroom
Public bathroom
4.7 (7)
150 Panorama Upper Parking Rd, Luray, VA 22835
Bathroom
Public bathroom
31 Windigrove Dr, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Blue Ridge Parkway - Humpback Rocks Visitor Center
Visitor center
4.6 (477)
Milepost 5.8 Blue Ridge Parkway, Lyndhurst, VA 22952
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Hollow
Can I swim in Sugar Hollow Reservoir?
No. RWSA prohibits reservoir swimming, including pets.
Can I canoe or paddleboard on that reservoir?
No. RWSA prohibits boating of any kind at Sugar Hollow.
Is that also a ban on upstream Blue Hole?
No. The reservoir rule should not be generalized to separate river pools; confirm their current access and conditions.
How long is the current tourism Blue Hole hike?
It is listed as 3.1 miles out and back, with creek crossings. That estimate is not a guarantee of safe or easy crossings.
Does every Sugar Hollow hike avoid national-park admission?
No. Admission applies if your route enters Shenandoah, including boundary entry; confirm your actual route.
Do the saved reservoir photos show Blue Hole?
No exact image-location match is established. Eight prior identity holds remain, with no new photo approvals.
Highlights
Reservoir swimming and boating restrictions
Blue Hole 3.1-mile hike with creek crossings
Upstream pools distinct from the water-supply reservoir
Boundary admission and exact route checks
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Creek crossings can be dangerous in high/rising water; turn back if unsafe
- Do not jump, dive or infer safe depth or water quality from old photos
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The historical directory record is retained as evidence, not proof of present access or a verified cultural account.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph from lawful trail viewpoints. Dam and reservoir scenes are not images of the separate Blue Hole river pool; check location labels before using a gallery to plan a visit.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect private boundaries and signs, use authorized paths and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Choose a date only after checking access, weather and current notices.
Difficulty Level
Exact lawful swimming approach and accessibility have not been verified.
Fee
Shenandoah admission applies if the hike enters the national park, including boundary entry. No invented reservoir parking fee or blanket free outing.
Facilities
Trailhead toilets and drinking water not established. Reservoir or national-park facilities elsewhere cannot be transferred to every river pool.
Activities
Authorized land-based recreation only; this listing does not recommend jumping, diving or rope swings
Phone
434-977-2970 (RWSA reservoir questions)
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
National-park overnight permits/bookings are separate; no permission to camp beside the archived pools established.
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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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