Summit Lake Campground

About

Summit Lake Campground offers semi-primitive camping in a quiet, forested setting within the Monongahela National Forest. Located approximately 10 miles east of Richwood, West Virginia, the campground features 33 wooded sites spread across two loops with paved access roads and parking spurs. Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, lantern post, and gravel activity area. Loop 1 (sites 1-9) has a spring-fed water faucet, while Loop 2 (sites 10-33) provides a hand pump for water. Double vault toilets and trash cages serve each loop. The campground's primary draw is its location adjacent to a 43-acre cold water lake, which the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocks with trout in spring and fall. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass and panfish. An accessible fishing pier and boat launch are available; gasoline motors are prohibited, but electric motors are permitted. Summit Lake operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Bear activity in the Gauley Ranger District requires proper food storage. The campground enforces a 14-day maximum stay, a 2:00 p.m. checkout, and limits each site to one wheeled camping unit, no more than 8 people, and no more than 2 vehicles.

Directions

From Richwood, travel east on State Route 39/55 approximately 8 miles to Forest Road 77, then continue 2 miles to Summit Lake Recreation Area.