West Virginia’s mountain lakes are surrounded by some of the best state parks and Corps of Engineers campgrounds in the East – many with cabins, lodges and swimming beaches as well as tent and RV sites. From the cabins of Watoga to lakeside Corps campgrounds below towering dams, this guide rounds up the best West Virginia lakes for camping. Each links to our full lake guide. This page is part of our West Virginia Lakes Database.
The best West Virginia lakes for camping & cabins
- Watoga Lake. The centerpiece of Watoga State Park – West Virginia’s largest state park – with classic rental cabins, a campground, an 11-acre lake, rowboats and miles of trails in the Allegheny Highlands.
- Beech Fork Lake. Beech Fork State Park near Huntington has one of the largest campgrounds in the state system, with hundreds of sites, cabins, a beach area and easy bass and crappie fishing.
- Tygart Lake. Tygart Lake State Park offers a campground, lakeside lodge and cabins beneath the towering dam near Grafton, with a marina and swimming.
- Stonewall Jackson Lake. Choose the upscale Stonewall Resort lodge and cottages or the adjacent Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park campground, all on a sprawling central-state reservoir.
- Bluestone Lake. Bluestone State Park sits on West Virginia’s third-largest lake, with a campground, cabins and a beach, next door to famous Pipestem Resort.
- Summersville Lake. The Battle Run campground (Corps of Engineers) sits on the state’s largest, clearest lake, perfect for scuba, boating and bass between camp days.
- Sutton Lake. Several Corps campgrounds (including Bee Run and Gerald Freeman) ring this central-state reservoir off I-79, with boat ramps and quiet coves.
- Burnsville Lake. The Bulltown and Riffle Run Corps campgrounds offer modern sites, a historic area and good muskie and bass fishing near Burnsville.
- Moncove Lake. Moncove Lake State Park is a quiet, out-of-the-way campground on a small bass-and-bluegill lake near the Virginia line.
More lakeside camping includes Lake Stephens county park on Lake Stephens, the WMA campsites at Plum Orchard Lake, and North Bend State Park near North Bend Lake.
Cabins, lodges or campgrounds?
For cabins and lodges, West Virginia’s state parks shine – Watoga (cabins), Tygart Lake and Stonewall (lodges and cottages) and Bluestone (cabins) all sit on or beside a lake. For classic campgrounds, Beech Fork State Park is the biggest, and Corps of Engineers campgrounds ring Summersville, Sutton and Burnsville lakes. Most state-park sites and many Corps sites can be reserved in advance and fill on summer weekends. A West Virginia fishing license is required if you plan to fish.
Frequently asked questions
Which West Virginia lake is best for camping?
Beech Fork State Park has the largest lakeside campground, while Watoga State Park (the state’s largest park) is the top choice for rental cabins. For Corps camping, Summersville and Sutton lakes are excellent.
Which West Virginia lakes have cabins or lodges?
Watoga (cabins), Tygart Lake and Stonewall (lodges and cottages) and Bluestone (cabins) state parks all offer lakeside cabins or lodges.
Can you camp at Summersville Lake?
Yes – the Battle Run campground, run by the Corps of Engineers, sits on Summersville Lake, the largest and clearest lake in the state.
Related: see the largest lakes in West Virginia, the best lakes in West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
