Rural Retreat Lake Park & Campground

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

The wrestling action originally planned for Liberty at the Lake has a new date!

Join us Saturday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. at Rural Retreat Lake for Last Stand by the Lake, presented by All Star Entertainment.

Admission is FREE, so bring your family, friends and your own chair for an afternoon of live pro wrestling by the lake!

📅 Saturday, Sept. 19
⏰ 4 p.m.
📍 Rural Retreat Lake
🎟️ FREE admission
🪑 Please bring your own chair

If you were looking forward to wrestling at Liberty at the Lake, mark the new date and come out for Last Stand by the Lake!

09/01/2026

Stay connected with Wythe County!

Discover all the ways you can stay informed and engaged by visiting https://vist.ly/5gvjz.

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08/31/2026

Long weekend vibes loading... 🦆☀️🏕️

Swap your to-do list for s'mores and sunset skies at Rural Retreat Lake! Labor Day Weekend is calling your name—time to pack the cooler, grab your camping gear, and go fishing for fun at the lake.

🏕️ Plenty of primitive camping ready for adventure
🚐 Only a few RV spots left, so reserve quickly!
🌳 A handful of Shelter Rentals waiting for your cookout fun

Don’t let this long weekend slip away! Make your Labor Day Weekend reservation at www.wytheco.org/rrlake

08/31/2026

Thanks for splashing with us this summer! 💦

It was a wrap on the 2026 season at the Rural Retreat Lake Pool in August. As our summer staff head back to high school and college, we’re already looking ahead — including planning some exciting upgrades for 2027!

Nearly 4,000 visitors joined us at the pool this summer, and we’re grateful to everyone who spent part of their summer with us.

The pool may be closed, but Rural Retreat Lake isn’t slowing down yet! There’s still plenty of camping season left, plus the Autumn Blaze Festival coming Oct. 2–3.

Thanks for a great summer. We can’t wait to see you in 2027!

08/31/2026

Sam Goff Joins Wythe County Parks and Recreation as Recreation Supervisor

WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Wythe County Parks and Recreation has welcomed Sam Goff as its new recreation supervisor.

In his position, Goff will help oversee the department’s recreational community programs, activities and facilities, including day-to-day operations and programming at Rural Retreat Lake Park & Campground and Pool. He will also provide leadership to recreation staff, coordinate programs and special activities, build community partnerships and help ensure recreational opportunities continue to meet the needs of residents of all ages and abilities.

Goff brings more than a decade of experience in recreation, athletics and program coordination, including work with the Town of Apex, NC Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, the YMCA and several collegiate and youth athletic programs including baseball and cheer. He holds a master’s degree in public health education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University.

“Recreation has the ability to bring people together, strengthen communities and create experiences that stay with people throughout their lives,” Goff said. “I look forward to building relationships throughout Wythe County, supporting our staff and programs, and helping to create opportunities where people of all ages and abilities feel welcomed, connected and excited to participate.”

“We’re excited to welcome Sam to the Parks and Recreation team,” Parks and Recreation Director Alicia Sides said. “His experience in recreation, athletics and program development, along with his commitment to creating positive experiences for participants, will be a great asset to our department and the community.”

For more information about Wythe County Parks and Recreation programs and facilities, visit www.wytheco.org/parksandrec.

08/27/2026

Keep Virginia Beautiful's statewide Student Ambassadors for Virginia's Environment (SAVE) Program empowers high school juniors and seniors to become environmental leaders in their communities. Through education, service projects, and advocacy, SAVE ambassadors gain hands-on experience addressing environmental challenges while inspiring others to protect and beautify Virginia's natural resources.

The SAVE Program gives students the opportunity to lead meaningful environmental projects, develop leadership skills, and connect with peers and others who share a commitment to creating cleaner, greener communities across the Commonwealth.

SAVE is recruiting now for the 2026/2027 school year! Applications are due by September 15th. If you know teens that are passionate about the environment, this is a great opportunity for them to take their efforts to the next level.

Do you know a teen who is passionate about preserving the environment? Let them know about our Student Ambassadors for Virginia's Environment (SAVE Program)! This statewide leadership and stewardship program is for rising Juniors and Seniors in high school. Applications are open now for the 2026/2027 school year. Please help us spread the word! Learn more and apply here: https://keepvirginiabeautiful.org/programs/student-ambassadors-for-virginias-environment-save/

08/27/2026

Summer's not packing its bags just yet! Join us for a weekend of movie magic and toe-tapping tunes at Rural Retreat Lake!

Kick off your weekend on Friday evening with a showing of "How to Train Your Dragon" at 8:30.

On Saturday, get ready to groove with Travis Watts and Mountain Breeze Bluegrass at 6 PM, followed by a Jurassic thrill ride with "Jurassic World: Rebirth" at 8:30 PM!

Don't miss out—bring your friends and make some unforgettable memories!

08/24/2026

We're just over a week away from the Community Meeting about the Land Use Classification Ordinance. Please help us share this important information! There’s significant discussion surrounding Wythe County’s proposed ordinance, and we want you to have all the details necessary to form your own opinion.

We've compiled answers to common questions about the proposal, including its impact on zoning, property rights, current land uses, farmland, Progress Park, and more. Don't just rely on what you hear—read the ordinance for yourself. The revised draft, maps, FAQs, and additional resources are available at https://vist.ly/5fzaw.

Join us for the Community Meeting:
Thursday, September 3 at 6 p.m.
Scott Memorial Middle School Gymnasium

Members of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will be present to discuss the revised proposal, answer your questions, and listen to community feedback. No final decision has been made. Read the proposal, ask questions, and share your thoughts.

08/21/2026

🚨🚒 PLAN AHEAD TO KICK OFF FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2026 🚒🚨

We’re looking for trucks, equipment and specialty vehicles to be part of Touch-a-Truck at Autumn Blaze on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Rural Retreat Lake!

Fire trucks, emergency vehicles, construction equipment, utility vehicles, farm equipment, specialty vehicles and more are welcome. Give kids and families an up-close look at the vehicles that help keep our community moving, working and safe.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 3
⏰ 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 Rural Retreat Lake

Touch-a-Truck will also feature a “Truck or Treat” element as we kick off Fire Prevention Week. Details and times for Truck or Treat will be announced soon.

Want to bring a vehicle or participate? RSVP now at www.wytheco.org/autumnblaze .

Come help us make the first Autumn Blaze one to remember!