Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-872-0825
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 292 acres, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park lies in Nicholas County, in Summersville.
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and geocaching. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
Official wording
8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Dogs and cats are the only pets permitted in state parks and forests. Pets must be leashed and restrained.' Select cabins are pet-friendly, varying by park.
Statewide rule from West Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Fees apply to lodging, camping, pools and activities.
Statewide fee rule from West Virginia's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- WV State Parks reservations (Inntopia-based, reservations.wvstateparks.com)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Carnifex Ferry is a day-use park, but you’re never far from a campground in West Virginia. Try these nearby campgrounds
Mountain Lake Campground
1898 Airport Rd.
Summersville, WV 26651
877.68.-6222
Summersville Lake
2981 Summersville Lake Rd.
Summersville, WV 26651
304.872.3459
Gauley River National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 246
Glen Jean, WV 25846
304. 465.0508
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCampingFishingGeocachingHistoric sites and toursCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Ferry Road | 0.3 mi | Moderate | A short section of Old Ferry Road is on state property. The road was used by Confederate Gen. Floyd during his retreat off the mountain to Carnifex Ferry. Distance: 0.3 Miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Patterson Trail | 2 mi | Easy to moderate | This trail forms a loop around the park and can be accessed from several locations. Highlights include three overlooks of the Gauley River. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
| Pierson Hollow Trail | 0.6 mi | Easy to moderate | This trail branches off the Patterson Trail across the road from the Patterson House Museum. The trail passes through a stand of mature trees before ending. Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
Trail descriptions from the park
There’s no place better for a hike than Carnifex Ferry! This day-use park features three scenic overlooks of the Gauley River and several hiking trails.
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Fishing
For fishing opportunities drive to nearby Boley Lake in Babcock State Park. It is a popular fishing spot for largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. You may also fish from nearby streams. West Virginia fishing licenses are available online.
Fishing Near Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1194 Carnifex Ferry Rd
Summersville, WV 26651 - Nearest town
- Summersville
- Coordinates
- 38.2869, -80.8478
- Phone
- 304-872-0825
- carnifexferrysp@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Dec 5, 2024
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology