What are the most popular beaches in West Virginia?
West Virginia has many beautiful lakes and rivers, most surrounded by forest or mountain views. While it may be too chilly to swim in winter, the summer months are when these beaches shine. On your next trip, be sure to check out some of the popular beaches in West Virginia.
Top beaches in West Virginia
1. Sutton Lake
2. Bluestone Lake
3. Summersville Lake
4. Cheat Lake
5. Shavers Lake
6. Tygart Lake State Park
7. Seneca Rocks Swimming Hole
8. Boley Lake
9. Stonewall Jackson Lake
10. Pendleton Lake
West Virginia Beaches
From lakes to rivers, West Virginia has fantastic beaches to explore on your RV trip.
1. Sutton Lake
Sutton Lake is a 1,500-acre reservoir on the Elk River. The cool water is surrounded by green forest, making it a fantastic summer destination. The Sutton Lake beach is a beautiful sand beach that’s great for the whole family. And it’s right next to a marina that offers rentals on boats, jet skis, kayaks, and more if you’d like to spend some time out on the water. There’s also a playground and food at the marina once you’re ready to head back on land.
Things to do near Sutton Lake: The town of Sutton is nearby, and West Virginia’s capital city of Charleston isn’t far if you’d like to spend some time in the city.
2. Bluestone Lake
Located in Bluestone State Park, Bluestone Lake has plenty of water activities for visitors to enjoy. Besides swimming at the beach, there are also opportunities for fishing and boating in the lake. You can also spend time exploring the hiking trails through the park, and there’s even several campgrounds in the park if you’d like to spend a few days at the state park.
Things to do near Bluestone Lake: Explore the rest of the beautiful state park! You’re also not too far from the Virginia border and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Shenandoah National Park is only about a 3 hour drive away.
3. Summersville Lake
Summersville Lake is West Virginia’s largest lake and has over 60 miles of shoreline. The clear waters beckon locals and visitors alike to swim, boat, scuba dive, and even try whitewater rafting. There are several campgrounds nearby with RV sites and hook ups, making this a fantastic lake to visit on your RV trip.
Things to do near Summersville Lake: New River Gorge National Park is a short drive away. We’ve got you covered with a guide to the national park guide and fantastic RV rentals in the area.
4. Cheat Lake
In the northern part of the state near Morgantown lies Cheat Lake. The sandy beaches at Cheat Lake Park or Sunset Beach are perfect for swimming, enjoying the sun, or building sand castles. There are also kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard rentals, fishing opportunities, and hiking and biking trails around the lake. There’s also a marina with boat rental and supplies.
Things to do near Cheat Lake: Morgantown is close by, and you’re also only an hour and a half from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. And 10 miles away is Coopers Rock State Forest if you’d like to keep hiking, bouldering, and exploring the outdoors.
5. Shavers Lake
Shavers Lake is located in Showshoe Mountain Resort, a popular winter ski destination. It’s the lake that is used to make snow on the mountain! But during the summer months, you can take the lift down to the lake and enjoy the beaches, hiking, and boat rentals. Stand up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes are available for rental, and there’s a large inflatable playground for those who want to swim in the water.
Things to do near Shavers Lake: Shavers Lake is in the northeastern part of the state near Shenandoah National Park. We have some fantastic RV rentals in the area.
6. Tygart Lake State Park
Tygart Lake and Tygart Lake State Park offers visitors a bit of everything – laying on the beach, hiking through the woods, or paddling across the lake while taking in the mountain views. Water sports are popular here such as kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, and scuba diving. There’s also food at Tygart Lake Lodge and several campgrounds in the area.
Things to do near Tygart Lake State Park: There are several other state parks nearby, including Valley Falls State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park. Cheat Lake is also a short drive away. We’ve got you covered with RV rentals nearby.
7. Seneca Rocks Swimming Hole
A bit different than our other beaches, Seneca Rocks Swimming Hole is actually a swimming hole along the Potomac River. Located at the base of Seneca Rocks, it’s the perfect place to cool off in the water, fish, or even jump off some of the sandstone rocks. Take the hiking trail from the visitor’s center to the swimming hole.
Things to do near Seneca Rocks Swimming Hole: There’s plenty to do near Seneca Rocks, including climbing, hiking, and exploring. It’s one of the most popular landmarks in West Virginia and is a fantastic way to spend the afternoon.
8. Boley Lake
Babcock State Park is located along the New River Gorge and includes Boley Lake, a great place to cool off in summer. The lake is open in summer for swimming, boating, fishing, and relaxing on land. They offer rowboats, canoes, paddleboats, and more to rent for the day. There are also several campgrounds in and around the state park, which makes it a great place to spend a few days relaxing in nature.
Things to do near Boley Lake: Explore the rest of Babcock State Park, then head over to New River Gorge National Park. Blackwater Falls State Park is also nearby, as well as Seneca Rocks. We have a great selection of local RV rentals for you to check out.
9. Stonewall Jackson Lake
Stonewall Jackson Lake has several beaches that visitors can enjoy. There are also plenty of water activities such as boating, fishing, tubing, and water skiing available. Stonewall Jackson State Park is right there, and there are many restaurants and even a golf resort. There are plenty of campgrounds nearby to stay a few days and explore.
Things to do near Stonewall Jackson Lake: Check out Stonewall Jackson State Park, as well as the West Virginia State Wildlife Center and Stonecoal Lake Wildlife Management Area which are both nearby.
10. Pendleton Lake
Another lake located in a state park, Pendleton Lake can be accessed from Blackwater Falls State Park. Not only can visitors enjoy the Blackwater River, but Pendleton Lake is fantastic for swimming, fishing, and boating. Equipment rentals like for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddle boats are available, and of course, swimming at the beach. Swimming is available from Memorial Day to Labor day and is the perfect way to cool off in summer.
Things to do near Pendleton Lake: Explore the rest of Blackwater Falls State Park to see the impressive water falls. Then head into the nearby towns of Davis and Tucker for charming shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Planning an RV Trip to West Virginia
An RV trip is an excellent way to tour the lake and river beaches in West Virginia, and we’ve got all the resources you need to plan a perfect vacation.
Here are guides to some of the best state parks in West Virginia, as well as all the national parks in the country. And as always, we’re here to help when it comes to finding the best campgrounds and RV rentals. Now it’s time to hit the beach!
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