Featured Activities
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.
Activities
Select an activity below to learn more-
Biking
Biking
The 2-mile Bus Loop Trail is available for mountain biking. Nearby Valley Falls State Park also has a variety of trails suitable for bike riders.
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Boating
Boating
Tygart Lake’s tranquil waters are great for kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding. Rentals are available at the Tygart Adventure Lake. Boat, cruise and slip rentals are available at the Tygart Lake Marina, which is open mid-May to September 15, 2022. The marina ramps and parking is available to the public and park guests.
Other boating activities include an 11-mile water cruise on the Princess, a two-deck tour boat. Tours are offered during the summer and depart from the Tygart Lake Marina. Make a reservation today!
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Camping
Camping
Tygart Lake State Park’s campground has 36 camping sites. Sites 1-10 come with 50-amp electric and water. The remaining sites are non-electric tent sites. Full hookup sites are not available. Open mid-April through October 31, weather permitting, the campground is located at the end of the park road, approximately three miles from the park’s east entrance. All campsites are reservable, as available.
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Fishing
Fishing
Tygart Lake is considered by many to be one of the best bass fishing sites in the area. The lake’s deep waters also have walleye, musky, crappie, perch, bullhead catfish, carp, northern pike and numerous panfish. All fish found in Tygart Lake are sustained through natural reproduction rather than by stocking, attesting to the exceptional water quality of the lake. Before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
If you’re planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a lodge room. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book now!
Fishing in Tygart Lake State Park
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Geocaching
Geocaching
Tygart Lake State Park is filled with hidden treasures! Put your skills to the test and find the 12 hidden cache sites within the park. You never know what you might find!
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Golf
Golf
For the golfer in your group, Tygart Lake State Park is located near two great courses: Tygart Lake Public Golf Course and Bel Meadow Golf Club. Tygart Lake Golf Course is located approximately five minutes from Tygart Lake State Park Lodge, while Bel Meadows is approximately a 30-minute drive.
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Hiking
Hiking
We hope you’re ready to hike! Tygart Lake State Park has five hiking trails that will take you to some of the park’s best views. Map and trail guides are available at the park office to assist in planning a hike that suits you.
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Hunting
Hunting
Pleasant Creek WMA has roughly 3,030 acres of wetlands and hardwood forests. Typical game include deer, rabbits, waterfowl, grouse, squirrels, and turkeys. Licenses are available online.
Hunting Near Tygart Lake State Park
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Swimming
Swimming
Cool off at the adventure lake. The adventure lake is a fee based activity at Tygart Lake State Park that features twenty-five giant inflatables and a sandy beach area with lounge chairs. Whether you want to catch some rays or jump right in the water this is the place for families to have easy summer fun.
Contact
- Phone: 304-265-6144
- Email: TygartLakeInfo@wv.gov
- Address: 1240 Paul E. Malone Rd, Grafton, WV 26354
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.
Christmas & Holiday Hours
The Lodge Restaurant
Saturday, December 24, 2022 – open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 25, 2022 – the restaurant will be closed for Christmas.
Menus
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 MapDogwood Trail
Lake Trail
Ridge Trail
Woodland Trail
Tygart Dam Trail
School Bus Trail
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.