Summersville Lake State Park
About This Park
🌅 Stunning views 🏕️ Luxury camping 🧗♀️ World-class rock climbing
Summersville Lake State Park is the state’s first new state park to be added in more than 30 years and sits on 177 acres on the northern shore of the state’s largest lake. 🤔 Did you know? Summersville Lake State Park is West Virginia’s first state park with climbing access and the nation’s first state park with an emphasis on climbing education!
Planning a visit to this stunning must-visit lake? The 3 brand new campgrounds at Summersville Lake State Park are the perfect home base, whether you are looking for luxury RV hookups or primitive sites.
Meet The Campgrounds
Summersville Lake State Park offers luxury full-hookup RV campsites as well as primitive camping sites through its three campgrounds – Overlook, Deer Run, and Joe Branch.
Overlook Campground
With 38 RV sites, Overlook Campground sits behind the welcome center and offers a luxurious mountain view. This area has a centrally located bathhouse with showers and restrooms. Campers can also enjoy a playground and two coin-operated laundry rooms.
Deer Run Campground
Deer Run Campground has nine premium RV sites tucked nicely in the lush woods. A mix of pull-through and back-in sites are available here. Perfect for those looking for a bit more privacy and seclusion, these sites have ample room to relax, play, hike and enjoy the outdoors.
Joe Branch Campground
Snuggled among the laurels along Joe Branch Creek, you’ll find these primitive sites submerged in nature. There are 10 campsites, a bathhouse, an outdoor sink and an outdoor shower. This area also features five camper van sites.
Activities
There is no shortage of adventures and activities at Summersville Lake State Park. From exploring on horseback to enjoying world-class golfing, planning the perfect vacation is easy.
Hiking
Two beautiful hiking trails are available at Summersville Lake State Park, which lead you around the lake and through the 177 acres of the park’s lush scenery.
Rock Climbing
The rock cliffs around the lake offer some of the finest rock climbing in the eastern US. Pirates Cove, a popular climbing area, just beneath the new park, draws climbers from all over the world.
Picnicking
Craving a picnic nestled in this stunning property? Visit the newly opened Hughes Ferry Picnic Area, featuring day-use picnic tables and an ADA-accessible restroom.
Camping
Summersville features three campsites offering a variety of sites, ranging from luxury RV hookups to primitive spot. This is the perfect spot for your next camp out!
A variety of other activities are also available just outside the of the park, on and around the stunning Summersville Lake. Explore some of the options below!
Swimming
Summersville Lake is often referred to as the Little Bahamas of the East because it has some of the clearest waters for swimming & scuba diving on the east coast.
Fishing
Summersville Lake is also an incredible location for fishing. The lake is a well-known fishing spot for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and catfish. Get your license at WVdnr.gov.
Boating
Summersville Lake is perfect for boating adventures, with options for kayaks, pontoons and paddleboards, plus convenient rental services and stunning cliffside scenery.
Mountain Biking
Check out the 10 trails located just outside of the park. Passing through lush forests and circling the lake’s shore, enjoy a variety routes suited for both beginners and seasoned riders.
Safety Note: Jumping from cliffs over 6 feet high is strictly prohibited by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Visitor Details
When you arrive at Summersville Lake State Park, take advantage of the expansive parking area right off of US-19. Once parked and ready to explore, stop by the new Hughes Ferry Picnic Area, which is home to day-use picnic tables and an ADA accessible restroom. Visitors hoping for a photo-op will be thrilled to find an “Almost Heaven” swing, crafted by Nicholas County Career and Technical Center students. Hiker Tip: Access to the park trail system starts in the Hughes Ferry Picnic Area.
Climbers Parking Area: If you are here to enjoy one of the eight climbing areas encompassing approximately two hundred and twenty climbing routes, the Climbers Parking day use lot provides ample parking. This parking lot is located a short distance from the trailhead leading to worldclass rock climbing. There is a restroom facility with an outdoor shower. Overnight parking is allowed by permit only.
History
On August 6, 2023, former Governor Jim Justice announced West Virginia would open its 36th state park, Summersville Lake State Park. As the newest park to open in more than 30 years, this 177-acre outdoor oasis sits on the northern shore of the state’s largest lake in Nicholas County and will be transformed into a premier outdoor adventure park in one of West Virginia’s most iconic spots.
Contact
Phone: 304-558-2764
Email: Summersvillelakesp@wv.gov
Address: 36 Park Road, Summersville, WV 26651
Nearby Attractions
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is set on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon, was the setting for the 1861 Civil War battle during which Confederate troops were driven out of the Kanawha Valley. The park features the Patterson House Museum and three overlooks of the Gauley River. The Battle of Carnifex Ferry is re-enacted here on odd-numbered years so be sure not to miss out.
Hawks Nest State Park
Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country, Hawks Nest State Park is a 270-acre recreational area with a nature museum, aerial tramway*, jetboat rides, hiking trails and one of the most challenging whitewater boating waterways in the nation. Its 31-room lodge offers luxurious rooms, dining and spacious conference and meeting facilities. Located just 10 miles north of the New River Gorge Bridge, Hawks Nest is known for its scenic overlook, which provides a bird’s eye view of the rugged New River Gorge National Park and Preserve below.
Babcock State Park
One of West Virginia’s most iconic locations, Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres of stunning scenery. Located 20 miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge, the park is most known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, which once stood on the grounds. Other attractions include recreational activities like hiking, fishing and mountain biking, as well as whitewater rafting nearby in the New River Gorge.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake. A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep and spectacular canyons, the New River is actually among the oldest rivers on Earth.
