Overview
Summersville is a town of 3,300 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia.
Summersville is adjacent to Summersville Lake, the largest lake in West Virginia.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Summersville
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
The site of a Civil War battle between Union Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans and Confederate Brigadier General John B. Floyd on September 10, 1861. The Union troops forced the Confederates to withdraw, which kept …
Summersville Lake
West Virginia's largest lake, sometimes called "The Little Bahamas of the East Coast", with over 2,800 acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline and 100-foot cliffs. Visitors can go swimming, bass fishing, hunting, boating, …
Gauley River Recreation Area
Route 129 at Mount Nebo. 25 miles of the Gauley River and 6 miles of the Meadow River. Boating, whitewater rafting, 18 primitive camping sites.
Nicholas County Potato Festival
Held the first full week in September. Parades, entertainment, food, volleyball tournament, arts and crafts show, 5K run/walk, bed races, and potato judging and auctions.
Gauley River Festival
Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park. Held during three days in late September. The largest river festival in the world, with food, a whitewater marketplace, live entertainment, a silent auction, and activities for whi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BKW Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beaver — 38 mi away. Directions
- LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg — 38 mi away. Directions
- PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 156 mi away (major hub). Directions
Summersville is on US-19, between Fayetteville and Weston.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $45–$165 a night (typical $59), from 7 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$130, comfortable ~$330.
Options are grouped as Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Cabins, Campgrounds in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, Summersville Lake, Gauley River Recreation Area
- Lunch Fran's Restaurant
- Afternoon Nicholas County Potato Festival, Gauley River Festival
- Evening Kirkwood Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Summersville is on US-19, between Fayetteville and Weston.
Get around
Be sure to strictly adhere to the speed limit in Summersville (50 mph [80 km/h]), particularly if you're travelling along US-19 through town; as locals can tell you, the area is notorious for speed traps.
See
- Summersville Music Park, +1 304-872-3145. Hosts the four-day "Music in the Mountains" bluegrass festival in June. Tickets $45/day, $105 - $125 for the entire festival.
See Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
The site of a Civil War battle between Union Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans and Confederate Brigadier General John B. Floyd on September 10, 1861. The Union troops forced the Confederates to withdraw, which kept them from gaining a foothold in the area and helped to secure West Virginia statehood. The park features three overlooks of the Gauley River, hiking trails, softball and volleyball areas, horseshoe pits and picnic facilities. There's also the Patterson House Museum, which displays relics of the battle.
Do
Do Summersville Lake
West Virginia's largest lake, sometimes called "The Little Bahamas of the East Coast", with over 2,800 acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline and 100-foot cliffs. Visitors can go swimming, bass fishing, hunting, boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, knee boarding, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, bouldering and cliff jumping. Boat rentals available. 117 camp sites, with a pier and A-frame chalets.
Events
- Summersville Lake Festival, +1 304-872-3722. Held during three days in late July. Includes a boat parade, "Anything That Floats" competition, water sports, triathlon, concerts, beauty pageant, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more.
- Civil War Weekend, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, +1 304-872-0825. Held during two days in September. Living history demonstrations, Civil War crafts and reproductions, and a re-enactment of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry.
Do Nicholas County Potato Festival
Held the first full week in September. Parades, entertainment, food, volleyball tournament, arts and crafts show, 5K run/walk, bed races, and potato judging and auctions.
Do Gauley River Festival
Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park. Held during three days in late September. The largest river festival in the world, with food, a whitewater marketplace, live entertainment, a silent auction, and activities for whitewater paddlesports enthusiasts as well as the general public.
Eat
Eat Fran's Restaurant
One mile to stop light, take a right, it is on the left. American family food. Homemade desserts (eight) and Breakfast all day.
Drink
Drink Kirkwood Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery
The first vineyard in the region, established in 1984, now producing more than 30 different varieties of French Hybrid American varietal, mead, vegetable and other fruit wines. Specialty wines are made from apple, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, elderberry, peach, plum, pear, red currant, Swiss chard rhubarb and ramps. The distillery offers rye whiskey, sorghum rum, Southern Moon corn liquor and grappa brandy. Sales, tasting and tours available throughout the week.
Sleep
Hotels
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham, 106 Merchants Walk, +1 304-872-0555. 106 rooms. Fitness center, heated indoor pool, jacuzzis. Whirlpool rooms available. Complimentary continental breakfast. $55-119.
Stay Hampton Inn
75 rooms. Exercise facility, heated outdoor pool. Complimentary continental breakfast.
Stay Sleep Inn
95 rooms. Heated outdoor pool, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pit. Complimentary continental breakfast.
- Super 8 Motel, 306 Merchants Walk, +1 304-872-4888. 56 rooms. $51-80.
Bed and Breakfasts
Cabins
Stay The Good Evening Ranch
Groves Road in Canvas. 10 cabins, each sleeping 2 to 18 people. 1,000-acre ranch with wooded countryside. All cabins equipped with kitchen, linens, private deck, outdoor grill, hot tub and more. On-site nine-hole par-three golf course, petting zoo, gift shop, and restaurant called The Feed Box.
Campgrounds
Go next
- Fayetteville is about 30 minutes south on US-19.
- Sutton is about 40 minutes north on US-19.
- Richwood is about 40 minutes east on WV-39.
- Weston is just over 1 hour north on US-19.
Nearby
Richwood
City / town · 12 listings · 17 mi away
Clay
City / town · 9 listings · 18 mi away
Fayetteville
City / town · 21 listings · 21 mi away
New River Gorge
Park · 3 listings · 26 mi away
Oak Hill
City / town · 12 listings · 26 mi away
Sutton
City / town · 28 listings · 27 mi away
Hillsboro
City / town · 1 listings · 36 mi away
Beckley
City / town · 24 listings · 40 mi away
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