Summersville Lake State Park Joe Branch Campground
The campground is open for the season. Reservations are available through the West Virginia State Parks reservation system. Check-in is at 1 p.m. and check-out is at noon.
Flood Watch issued August 12 at 3:40AM EDT until August 14 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northeast Kentucky, including the following counties, Boyd, Carter, Greenup and Lawrence, southeast Ohio, including the following counties, Athens, Gallia, Jackson OH, Lawrence OH, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton and Washington, southwest Virginia, including the following counties, Buchanan and Dickenson, and West Virginia, including the following counties, Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson WV, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Northwest Fayette, Northwest Nicholas, Northwest Pocahontas, Northwest Raleigh, Northwest Randolph, Northwest Webster, Pleasants, Putnam, Ritchie, Roane, Southeast Fayette, Southeast Nicholas, Southeast Pocahontas, Southeast Raleigh, Southeast Randolph, Southeast Webster, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Wirt, Wood and Wyoming. * WHEN...Through Friday morning. * IMPACTS...Soils remain saturated from recent rainfall with additional heavy rain likely to cause significant runoff. Area creeks and streams are already running high and could easily flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Rounds of thunderstorms will track through the area through early Friday, bringing the potential for heavy downpours, which may cause flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Joe Branch Campground is the most rustic of three campgrounds at Summersville Lake State Park, nestled among mountain laurels along scenic Joe Branch Creek. The campground features 15 primitive tent sites and five designated camper van spots, making it ideal for campers seeking a close-to-nature experience rather than modern amenities. A shared bathhouse with four restrooms, an outdoor dishwashing sink, and an outdoor shower serve the campground. Summersville Lake State Park opened in May 2025 as West Virginia's first new state park addition in more than 30 years. The 177-acre park sits on the northern shore of Summersville Lake, the state's largest body of water. The lake offers excellent fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish, with trout stocked below the dam in spring and fall. Beyond camping, visitors can explore the Mountaineer Mile trail unveiled at the park's opening, and the historic Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is just a 10-minute drive away. Whitewater rafting on the world-class Gauley River is available year-round for adventure seekers.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | — |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Summersvillelakesp@wv.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (681) 355-0328 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
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