Featured Activities

Tygart Adventure Lake

Fun for the entire family awaits at the Tygart Adventure Lake.

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About This Park

Located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in scenic north-central West Virginia, Tygart Lake State Park provides guests with a quiet vacation spot and breathtaking views. Just four miles south of Grafton, Tygart Lake State Park is known for its 10-mile long, 1,750-acre lake, which offers water activities like boating, water skiing, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The park is surrounded by beautiful mountain views and provides lakeside lodging perfect for relaxation and unwinding after a full day of play.

Accommodations

Select an option below to learn more about the accommodations at this park.

Cabins

Camping

Lodge

Activities

Select an activity below to learn more
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • DeerViewing
    Hunting
  • Swimming
Attraction is located outside of the park.
Groups, Meetings and Weddings Rules & Regulations Deals

Contact

History

The land that is now Tygart Lake State Park was given to the state of West Virginia in 1945 in a deed from the U.S. government. Before that transaction, the area was under development to control and regulate the waters and tributaries of the Tygart Valley, West Fork, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. In 1938, the U.S. Corps of Engineers built a dam that created the Tygart River Reservoir, located two miles south of Grafton in Taylor and Barbour counties. The area quickly became popular with boating enthusiasts. Over the years, the park expanded to accommodate larger crowds of visitors. In 1953, the park opened its campgrounds, making it one of the first two parks in the state to offer camping. Cabins were added in 1955, and the park received additional funds in 1964 to construct a 20-room lodge.

Nature Center

The Nature Center at Tygart Lake State Park provides opportunities for children, young and old, to explore the wonders of our backyard and beyond. Interpretive activities and programs are available year-round.

Click here to view the current full Activities Program.

Dining

The Lodge Restaurant at Tygart Lake State Park is open:

The Lodge Restaurant will be open Sunday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

On weekdays, breakfast is provided a la carte service. Lunch is a limited menu that includes homemade soups, fresh salads, made-to-order sandwiches. Varying fresh made sandwiches will be featured daily including the Club, Philly, Crab Cake, and BLT’s. Dinner hours feature full menu options.

Saturday: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu available

Sunday: Bring your church bulletin for 10 percent off.

Specials will feature “The Lodge” chef favorites. The Lodge Restaurant is proudly operated by the staff and employees of Tygart Lake State Park.  For larger groups or to learn more about The Lodge, call 304-265-6144.

Menus

Dockside Menu

Additional Information

Picnicking

Make it a family affair and rent a picnic shelter! The shelters at the park are perfect for family reunions, family outings, catered functions, parties, and cookouts. They’re available for reservation during the summer season. Early reservations are recommended for summer weekends and holidays.

Trails

Download Park Trail Map

Dogwood Trail

The trail begins opposite Dam Trail near the Lodge passing through the forest with numerous dogwood trees. Trail climbs to a higher elevation above the lodge following a ridge top and descending back on the park road from the dam.

Distance: 2 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Lake Trail

This trail begins at Picnic Area Number 3 and follows a small stream to the lake.

The trail has few hills.

Distance:  0.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Ridge Trail

This trail begins near the park office and ends at Picnic Area Number 1. The trail passes through several forest types and is a good place to see wildlife. The trail has some steep hills.

Distance: 0.75 miles

Woodland Trail

Beginning near the park office, this trail passes through what was once a farm before ending between Cabin 5 and the campground. The trail has hills.

Distance:  1.5 miles

Tygart Dam Trail

This trail begins near the lodge and follows near the lakeshore before ending at the dam. This trail has few hills and is approximately .75 miles long.

Distance:  0.75 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

School Bus Trail

This trail begins near campsite 21 and is an intermediate directional trail that makes a 2.0 mile loop on the south end of the park. Along the way you’ll see old farm houses and a rock cliff overhang. For mountain bikers, the trail has a little bit of everything including hill climbs, rock gardens, banked turns and more.

Distance:  2 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Nearby Attractions

Tygart Lake Golf Course

Perfect your swing on this gorgeous green. The Tygart Lake Golf Course is in Grafton, approximately five minutes from Tygart Lake State Park Lodge. The 18-hole course features 6,255 yards of gorgeous green from the longest tees for a par of 72.

Valley Falls State Park

Once the site of a lumber and grist mill community, this scenic treasure of Valley Falls State Park is located only a short drive from Fairmont and Grafton. The 1,145-acre day-use park hosts a variety of outdoor recreation including fishing, picnicking, kayaking, and 18 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Audra State Park

Located in Barbour and Upshur County, Audra State Park has been attracting families that enjoy the outdoors, hiking and camping since 1948. This park has heavily wooded riverside campgrounds that continue to awe visitors each time they stay.

Watters Smith Memorial State Park

The heritage of early West Virginia is preserved in the pioneer homestead restoration at Watters Smith Memorial State Park. An authentic log cabin is the park’s main attraction. Guided tours are offered Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Cathedral State Park

Cathedral State Park is an ancient hemlock forest of majestic proportions. Along its six miles of hiking trails, you’ll see trees up to 90 feet in height and 21 feet in circumference. The forest is also home to over 170 species of ferns, moss trees, and wildflowers. The combination of ancient hemlocks, rhododendrons, ferns, mountain stream, and wildlife offers excellent hiking and photography opportunities you won’t soon forget!

Prickett’s Fort State Park

Perched on a small rise overlooking the confluence of Prickett’s Creek and the Monongahela River, this rustic log fort is a re-creation of the original fort of 1774, which served as a refuge from Native American war parties on the western frontier of Colonial Virginia. During the park season, visitors will find blacksmiths, spinners, weavers and other traditional artisans at work, and a gun shop which features the only public demonstrations of 18th century firearm manufacturing in the state.

Philippi Covered Bridge

The Philippi Covered Bridge, on the Tygart Valley River, is the oldest and longest covered bridge in West Virginia and one of only two remaining in Barbour County. The bridge, used for a time as a barracks by victorious Union troops, was part of a significant Civil War battle and was the first bridge to be captured in the war by either side.

Barbour County Historical Museum

The Barbour County Historical Museum has a myriad of antique exhibits to pique your interests in the past. The prominent displays date back to 1635, through the Civil War, early 1900’s, up to modern day. The world-famous Philippi Mummies are also on exhibit here. As an attraction with P.T. Barnum’s Circus in the late 1800’s, the mummies were displayed and toured at fairs and shows across North America and even parts of Europe, but they now rest in Philippi.

Fort New Salem

Fort New Salem is a frontier settlement with 19th Century log structures in Harrison County. Settled in 1792 by Seventh Day Baptists from New Jersey, Fort New Salem is a living history outdoor museum showcasing the history, crafts and lifestyles of English, Welsh, Scots-Irish and German farm culture.

Jackson's Mill

Jackson’s Mill, a former grist mill in Lewis County, is the boyhood home of American Civil War General Stonewall Jackson. The mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, is now the centerpiece of a state-owned museum property, used by West Virginia University’s Extension Service.

Pleasants Creek Wildlife Management Area

Near Philippi in Barbour and Taylor counties, the Pleasants Creek Wildlife Management Area has wetlands and steeply forested woodlands. Hunters and fisherman flock here for the deer, grouse, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl and several trophy fish species.

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