Powerboaters dock directly at their sites at Battle Run Campground, where 114 sites spread across peninsula-like fingers extending into Summersville Lake. This Army Corps of Engineers campground operates seasonally from May through Columbus Day, with many of the waterfront sites offering three-sided water views. The campground follows an oak leaf outline with half-loop roads connecting sites equipped with 20/30/50 amp electrical hookups.
Dave V. notes that "while sites are electric, water is centrally located as is the two showerhouse/restroom facilities." The campground maintains two bathhouses with flush toilets, and campers consistently report clean facilities throughout the season. Sites feature gravel parking pads on generally level terrain, though most lack individual water hookups. A dump station serves RVs up to 90 feet, and the campground accommodates big rigs on its paved internal roads.
Summersville Lake spans 2,790 acres with 60 miles of shoreline, making it West Virginia's largest lake. The clear water attracts scuba divers to depths reaching 327 feet, while cliff jumping remains popular among locals who know safe entry points. Seven walk-in tent sites line the shoreline for those preferring primitive camping. Kayakers frequently launch from the boat ramp, and Ron observed "lots of kayakers making river runs from the other side of the dam." The campground includes basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground in its central area.
Reservations open six months in advance and fill quickly for waterfront sites. The campground prohibits pets entirely. Cell service performs well, with recent tests showing T-Mobile speeds exceeding 50 Mbps download. Nearby Gauley Tailwaters Campground provides a primitive alternative when Battle Run reaches capacity. The location serves boaters and families seeking direct lake access with full hookups.
Description
Overview
Battle Run Campground is conveniently located just south of Summersville, West Virginia, on the shores of the largest lake in the state. Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make Summersville Lake a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Recreation
The 2790-acre lake provides excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, and scuba diving. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish. Trout are stocked below the dam in spring and fall. Visitors also enjoy the great hiking, biking, hunting, geocaching, and picnicking opportunities on the lands surrounding the lake. For high adventure seekers, whitewater rafting is available year-round on the world class Gauley River. The Summersville Lake area also offers technical rock climbing.
Facilities
This large waterfront campground offers 110 campsites with electric hookups, along with seven primitive walk-to tent sites. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station. An accessible boat ramp and fishing dock are on-site. Younger campers love the park's playground, nature trails, and large shade trees.
Natural Features
Scenic Summersville Lake is known for its striking cliffs and quiet coves along 60 beautiful miles of shoreline. Dense forests of maple, oak, hickory, beech and birch trees cover the region. Wildlife, including black bear, deer, grouse and turkey, is abundant in the area.
Nearby Attractions
The historic Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is a 10-minute drive from the campground. The park offers a museum, three Gauley River overlooks and hiking trails as well as a Civil War Battle Reenactment every other year. Summersville Lake Marina and Sarge's Dive Shop are 11 miles away, offering kayak and pontoon boat rentals. The town of Summersville, another five miles north, has several grocery stores, restaurants and service stations. Mountain Lake Campground is a privately managed campground with lake access. Summersville Lake Retreat is three miles east on Route 129 offering cabins and lighthouse tours. World-renowned rock climbing on the New River Gorge- just 18 miles south. Within the 63,000 acres of New River Gorge River are over 1,400 established rock climbs. "The New" has become one of the most popular climbing areas in the country. The cliffs at New River Gorge are made up of a very hard sandstone, and range from 30 to 120 feet in height.
Fee Info
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBattle Run is located in West Virginia
Directions
From U.S. Highway 19, turn west on State Route 129 and travel 3 miles to the campground.
Address
2981 SUMMERSVILLE LAKE ROAD
Summersville, WV 26651-4901
Coordinates
38.2216667 N
80.9097222 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/12/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 4/12/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/12/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/12/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 4/12/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/12/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
