Summersville Lake State Park
- Status
- Status not postedOpen 24 hours
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com681-3550328
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Summersville Lake State Park is a park in Nicholas County, about 3 miles south of Summersville.
Visitors come for swimming, fishing, and hiking. 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 | Open 24 hours | ||
Official wording
24/7
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.
Things to do
FishingHikingSwimmingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pirates Cove Trail | 0.7 mi | Easy to Moderate | Pirates Cove Trail begins at the parking lot/picnic area and leads you on an easy to moderate 0.7 mile long hike to the iconic Pirates Cove area of Summersville Lake. Note: Jumping from cliffs over 6 feet high is strictly prohibited by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Distance: 0.7 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate |
| Climbers Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy to Moderate | Climbers Trail begins from a point on Pirates Cove Trail near the boundary with the Corps of Engineers just above the Pirates Cove waterfall and meanders through mature woodland leading to the access to a metal stairway leading to the lake shore and rock climbing area. Jumping from cliffs over 6 feet high is strictly prohibited by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Distance: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate |
Trail descriptions from the park
Two beautiful hiking trails are available at Summersville Lake State Park, which lead you around the lake and through the 177 acres of the parks lush scenery. While you stroll this stunning property, be sure to enjoy the new picnic table and new “Almost Heaven” swing, crafted by Nicholas County Career and Technical Center students.
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 and snorkeling on the east coast, maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With endless adventures to be had, be sure to safely enjoy the lake.
Jumping from cliffs over 6 feet high is strictly prohibited by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Fishing
Summersville Lake is not only scenic but also an incredible location for fishing. The lake is a well-known fishing spot for smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and catfish.
Before you set out on a fishing trip make sure you have a valid West Virginia Fishing License, which can be purchased online at WVdnr.gov.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
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
- 36 Park Rd.
Summersville, WV 26651 - Nearest town
- Summersville — about 3 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.2458, -80.8560
- Phone
- 681-3550328
- Summersvillelakesp@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jul 11, 2025
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
“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