With almost 2700 acres of surface, Summersville Lake is the largest in West Virginia. However, it’s really the 60-odd miles of shoreline that make it unique in America. With much of that shoreline consisting of sheer sandstone cliffs to the water’s edge, Summersville is a world class resource for not just power boating, but also for exploring by kayak or paddleboard, rock climbing and swimming. Several popular access points for the Lake are just 15-20 minutes south of Lake Sometimes.
America’s newest National Park has been called one of the best, most accessible in America. It’s also one of the most adventurous, with relatively easy day hikes to mind-blowing views, plus world class rock climbing and whitewater paddling. The NRG sports several river sections for commercial rafting (some mild and some quite wild), nationally recognized smallmouth bass fishing, purpose build mountain-biking trails and literally thousands of established climbing routes. It’s also home to the New River Gorge Bridge, which hosts the unique Bridge Day festival every October, during which BASE jumpers leap from its 876′-high span.
It’s difficult to find a list of the top five whitewater rafting rivers in the WORLD that doesn’t include the Gauley River—and it’s just 25 minutes south of Lake Sometimes. With two commercially rafted sections (the Upper and Lower Gauley), it’s easy to find something for those who want a true adventure… and those want to take it to a whole other level. With more than 100 rapids on its 26-mile length (53 of them rated class III and above), the Gauley is sure to please, but physically strenuous. The Gauley runs all year long, but for guaranteed Summersville Dam releases, check it out during Gauley Season, from early September through mid October.
With our proximity to Summersville Lake, New River Gorge National Park and the Gauley River, there’s no shortage of things to do.
