John W. Flannagan Dam is a U.S, Army Corps of Engineers Project, Huntington District, completed in 1964 to provide flood control on the Russell Fork River in Virginia. Standing at a height of 250 feet and 916 feet long, it creates a 1145 acre reservoir with approximately 40 miles of shoreline. There is an emergency spillway south of the dam to control high water using gates. The lake’s water level is kept at about 1396 feet above sea level during the summer to support recreational activity and lowered to 16 feet during the offseason to accommodate winter and spring runoff.
There are three overnight Corps of Engineers managed campgrounds open from Labor Day to Memorial Day on the reservoir, Lower Twin, Cranesnest, and Pound River campgrounds have a combined 93 sites. All RV sites have electric hookups and there are water supplies and RV dump sites at each campground. The John W. Flanagan/Below Dam Day use area has spectacular views of the lake and has picnic shelters, electric services, a playground, and horseshoe pits. The COE project lands are adjacent to Jefferson National Forest and located near the Breaks Interstate Park. Boat launches, hiking trails, picnic sites, fishing, and horseback riding and cycling trails provide recreational opportunities in and around the John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir. There is plenty to discover nearby; see Virginia Travel for more information on areas of interest to RV vacationers in the region. If you don't have an RV for exploring and camping at John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir check out Virginia RV Rentals.
Located in the Cumberland Mountains of Dickenson County, Virginia, John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir can be reached from Route 460 by taking Route 80 to the town of Haysi and following the signs to the dam area. Alternately you can take Route 23, then route 83 to Clintwood, turn left on Main Street and continue as the roadway becomes Route 607. Take a left onto Route 614, and then turn left onto Route 739 to reach the dam areas.
Camping at Cranesnest campground can be accessed from Clintwood, Virginia by turning left from Main Street onto Route 83, proceeding for 2.6 miles, and then turning left onto the Cranesnest Campground Road. The campground is 2.8 miles down the road. Lower Twin Campground can be reached from the dam by continuing on route 739 turning left onto Route 611, and traveling two miles, then turning left onto Corps Lower Twin Road, the campground is another ¼ mile down the road.
To reach Pound River Campground from Clintwood Main Street turn onto Brush Creek Road/ State Route 631 for 2.2. miles then turn right onto Route 754 for 1.1 miles and turn right onto the access road, Pound River Campground Road.
Access roads and state routes are paved and campground roads and sites are also paved so dry or wet weather conditions will not create muddy or dusty conditions for visitors traveling with RVs and tow vehicles. Winter weather in Virginia can result in icy road conditions. If travelling with an RV or tow vehicle when slippery road conditions occur, leave plenty of room for stopping, execute braking and turns cautiously, and use winter tires to improve traction.
This COE-managed campground is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend and has reservable RV camping spots. The campground is located on the Cranesnest River, and there are 19 campsites in total.
All RV campsites have electric hookups. Amenities at the campground include shower houses with flush toilets, playgrounds, boat launch ramps, drinking water supply, an RV dump station, and picnic areas with group picnic shelters. Campsites have picnic tables, fire pits, grills, and lantern poles, and RV campsites have paved pads for RVs and tow vehicles to park on an accessible surface.
There are trees in and around campsites providing some shade, although many sites are fairly open, providing excellent accessibility and room for slide outs. The campground is located near the 1145 acre reservoir, which is ideal for boating and fishing. Trails in the area provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. There is no swim beach located here. Pets are permitted, and a campground host is on-site.
Lower Twin Campground is a reservable overnight campground with 25 sites in total. RV sites have paved pads for parking your RV unit or trailer, and electric hookups. Campsites have lantern posts, picnic tables, and fire rings/grills.
The site is well-treed, and there are shade trees at campsites providing overhead canopy and privacy, but with enough room to access sites easily, and for slide outs and awnings. Activities at the campground include horseback riding, cycling, hiking, boating, and fishing, though there is no swim area. Campground amenities include picnic shelters, shower houses with flush toilets, a playground, and boat launch. An RV dump station and water supply are also available. You can enjoy views of the water nearby and plenty of local wildlife. This is a relaxing, serene campground, ideal for families looking to enjoy and experience the natural and wilderness areas, with overnight camping, picnics, and fun recreational activities. Pets are permitted, and there is an accessible site.
John W Flannagan Reservoir is considered a fisher's paradise in the area. The lake is deep, with clean water, and is stocked with bass, bream, walleye, and trout. There are fishing piers at the Cranesnest Day Use Area and the Spillway Ramp, and a fishing dock at Lower Twin Campground and Day Use Area.
In addition, there is fishing from the 40 miles of shoreline or the lake surface which is also popular. Be sure to have a valid State of Virginia fishing license, and be aware of regulations and limits for the area you are fishing in.
Boat ramps to access the John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir or the river are situated at Cranes Nest, Lower Twin, Pound River, the Spillway and Junction Recreation areas and sites. The Junction area also has a boat dock/marina where you can dock your boat and access amenities such as fuel, fishing supplies, and a snack bar. There is a small fee to use the boat launch at Junction. The lake is deep during the summer months with clear water excellent for boating.
Multi-use trails located at Cranesnest, Pound River, Below dam and Junction allow equestrians to share area trails with hikers. If traveling on four legs, watch out for hikers who are smaller and may be moving slower, or have children in tow. A riding arena is located at Pound River Campground where an annual horse show is held by a local riding club and trail rides are organized from this area between May and September.
Nearby George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have over 50 miles of equestrian trails, so hookup up your horse trailer and explore the natural areas around John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir on horseback.
The Pound River Campground has 22 sites available for overnight camping along the Pound River waterfront. The campground has electric hookups at some sites, and has shower houses with flush toilets, a playground, boat launch ramp, picnic area with shelters, drinking water supply, and an RV dump station.
Campsites have paved pads for RVs and tow vehicles, as well as lantern posts, picnic tables, and fire pits with grills. Trees throughout the campground provide shade and privacy, but still allow enough room to back into sites and employ slide outs and awnings. Enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, picnics, and wildlife watching while staying at this natural, secluded, quiet campground, with access to the river. Nearby COE recreation areas, state, and national forests, a short drive away offer more amenities, recreational opportunities, and sightseeing. Bring the bug spray, as the riverside location and treed areas may mean high biting insect populations during the warmer months. Pets are permitted.
Downstream whitewater provides challenging rapids for kayakers and rafters. During the first four full weekends in October, releases of water from the dam create excellent whitewater opportunities. The first two miles have class II rapids that progress to class V rapids further downstream. Nearby Breaks Interstate Park has what's considered to be some of the most challenging rapids in the eastern US, including areas such as 20 Stitches, Broken Nose and Triple Drop.
Multi-use and hiking trails are situated at Below Dam, Cranes Nest, Pound River, Junction, and Lower Twin COE recreation areas. During the fall, spectacular autumn leaves color the landscape, and are reflected in the lake and waterways. The off-season is also a cooler time to hike.
Nearby national forests state parks also have miles of hiking trails to explore. Bring a camera, and keep an eye out for geological formations, wildlife, and beautiful natural scenery.
When the weather turns cold or wet and is not amenable to outdoor activities, head indoors to learn about the wildlife and natural features of the area. The John W. Flannagan Visitor Center at the Corps Project Office has various local animal species mounts, and rangers available to answer questions on local wildlife and natural features of the river and reservoir area.
You can also head up to the visitor center at Breaks Interstate Park where you will find more natural history displays as well as historical displays that include a moonshine still, gristmill, and cabin.
