Summersville Lake State Park in West Virginia is expanding its offerings with the addition of three new campgrounds, state officials announced Friday.
The newly developed camping areas provide a range of options for visitors, including sites for recreational vehicles and primitive tent camping.
The largest of the three, Overlook Campground, features 38 RV sites and includes amenities such as a bathhouse, laundry facilities, and a playground.
Deer Run Campground, which offers a more secluded environment, includes nine RV sites, according to a report by WCHS Eyewitness News.
For visitors seeking a more rustic experience, Joe Branch provides 18 primitive campsites, each with a designated parking space for camper vans.
Summersville Lake State Park is situated off Route 19 in Nicholas County and spans 177 acres on the northern side of Summersville Lake, the largest lake in the state.
In addition to the new camping facilities, the park features hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for rock climbing. The nearby lake also offers access to water-based activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and biking.
The expansion reflects ongoing efforts by West Virginia’s state parks system to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities and accommodate a growing interest in camping and RV travel.
With the increase in demand for nature-based travel experiences in recent years, particularly post-pandemic, developments like these are aligned with broader trends in the outdoor hospitality industry.
For campground and RV park operators, the project illustrates how public investment in infrastructure can drive regional tourism and support local economies.
The diversified site offerings—from full-service RV sites to primitive tent camping—highlight the value of catering to a broad range of visitor preferences.
Private campground owners may look to such developments for inspiration in balancing modern amenities with natural settings to enhance guest experience and extend seasonal visitation.