Camping near Summersville Lake
Camping near Summersville Lake, West Virginia includes a mix of established campgrounds, RV parks, and primitive sites set against the backdrop of clear waters and forested mountains. Battle Run Campground, situated directly on the lake, provides waterfront camping with 114 sites including seven walk-in primitive options. Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse offers year-round RV camping with seasonal shower facilities from April through October. The lake itself spans approximately 2,700-3,000 acres with 60 miles of shoreline, making it the largest lake in West Virginia and a popular destination for water recreation.
Most campgrounds in the Summersville Lake area operate seasonally, typically from April or May through October or early November. Battle Run is open from May 1 to Columbus Day, while Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins operates from April 15 to October 31. Summer temperatures are generally warm, but campers should be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms. According to reviews, "In June, you can anticipate random, short afternoon or evening cloudbursts, but they can be gully-washers. Nights were cool and most mornings I wore a long-sleeve Merino shirt." Cell service is limited in many areas, particularly at more remote sites.
The camping experience varies significantly between locations around Summersville Lake. Waterfront sites at Battle Run are popular with boaters who can dock directly at their campsite, but they offer limited privacy and fill quickly during peak season. Visitors note that "this campground is mainly for RVs; tent camping here is not the best." For those seeking more seclusion, Gauley Tailwaters Campground in the Gauley River National Recreation Area offers free camping with basic amenities. Rays Campground, about 30 minutes south of the lake, provides "spacious tent areas where you can't see any neighbors unless traveling to the shower house." The area is also known for excellent water recreation including scuba diving, as the lake is "one of the clearest lakes in the east."