Pros & cons
PROS
- Unique view of a hidden, man‑made lake from a historic mine site
- Often a quiet stop with broad northwest valley vistas
- Striking winter color when the lake turns turquoise
CONS
- No services on-site and only a small pullout
- Lake view can be obscured by foliage or haze
Overview
A small, often overlooked pullout at milepost ~92.5 on Skyline Drive, Crimora Lake Overlook sits around 2,975–2,985 feet and faces northwest. The payoff is a broad Shenandoah Valley panorama with a twist: a glimpse of a dark-green/turquoise lake tucked between ridges below.
What You’ll See
- Northwest-facing vistas over the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley.
- The namesake lake below—actually a cluster of small, man‑made lakes tied to historic manganese mining. They’re easiest to pick out with binoculars or a zoom lens.
Why It’s Unique
The National Park Service specifically calls this a good place to contemplate the region’s industrial past. Unlike most overlooks that are purely natural scenery, this view layers mountain beauty with the story of the Crimora manganese operations.
A Quick History Snapshot
Mining at Crimora began in 1867 and, per NPS, ended in 1946. The processing left behind small artificial lakes you can still see from the overlook. It’s one of the few viewpoints where you can literally look back at the valley’s industrial chapter.
Wildlife
No site-specific reports, but like many ridgeline overlooks, you may spot raptors riding thermals or catch distant movement of deer or turkeys in the valleys below—binoculars help.
Practicalities
This is a simple pullout: no restrooms, water, or tables, and parking is limited. Treat it as a quick stop for photos and a history lesson before continuing along Skyline Drive. In winter or on clear, crisp days, the lake’s color really pops.
Best Time to Visit
- Season: Winter and leaf‑off periods give the clearest sightline to the lakes and the most vivid color.
- Day: Come on clear afternoons for pleasant light on the northwest view.
- Crowd level: Generally quieter than the park’s headliner overlooks.
Where it is
38.1464, -78.7760Tips for Crimora Lake Overlook
- 01Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to pick out the small lakes below.
- 02Expect a very small pullout with limited spaces—have a backup stop in mind.
- 03Check Skyline Drive status before you go; closures happen during bad weather.
- 04Leaf‑off seasons make the lake much easier to spot.
Amenities
Near Crimora Lake Overlook
All places →All trails →
0.5 mi awayWildcat Ridge TrailSteep ridge-to-hollow leg of the Riprap classic circuitChallenging · 2.6 mi · 2.5 hr
0.5 mi awayRiprap - Wildcat Ridge LoopBig views, boulder gardens, and a cool-off pool on a stout loopChallenging · 9.8 mi · 5.5 hr
0.6 mi awayMoormans River OverlookEast-facing overlook to Sugar Hollow Reservoir and Moormans watershedPullout · Parking
1 mi awayTurk Mountain OverlookQuieter west-facing overlook with sunset views of Turk MountainPullout · Parking
1 mi awayRip Rap OverlookClassic west-facing overlook with views to Waynesboro and the AllegheniesPullout · Parking
1.3 mi awayTurk Mountain TrailShort, rocky climb to wide-open valley views from a boulder summitModerate · 2.2 mi · 1.5 hr
2.1 mi awayNorth Fork Moormans River TrailRiver-hugging hike to swimming holes and a small waterfallModerate · 7.3 mi · 3 hr
2.2 mi awayTurk MountainShort, quiet hike to a rocky quartzite summit with valley viewsTrailhead · Parking
