On The Road
Borrowing the name from Jack Kerouac’s classic beat generation tale of travels across the country, intermittently we’ll post accounts about our life on the road. Whether you’re traveling by motorhome, fifth wheel, trailer, camper, van, or SUV, there is so much out there to explore, and we want to bring you the very best to consider for your next adventure. Read on for our most recent excursion to the heart of the Mountain State where we visit the City of Summersville in Nicholas County, West Virginia. Home to the emerald green Summersville Lake and the new state park bearing its name, here is what to know when visiting.
Summersville, West Virginia
Perched high up in the verdant mountains of West Virginia at an elevation of 1,880 feet sits the City of Summersville, with a population of around 3,500. Founded in 1824 and named after judge Lewis Summers who created Nicholas County, Summersville is connected by the popular north-south Route 19. Not far from neighboring Fayetteville, which we’ve posted about in our On The Road: Fayetteville, WV blog, Summersville is only 22 miles north of the main entrance to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve and the New River Gorge Bridge and less than an hour-and-a-half drive from the state capital (Charleston).
Summersville Lake
In addition to checking out the New River Gorge National Park, Summersville Lake is worth a stop to admire the emerald green waters and the bold rock faces. Revelers can boat, kayak, canoe, swim, scuba dive, or fish on the lake and various launch points exist throughout for easy access. Be sure to visit the adjacent Summersville Lake State Park, equipped with stunning lake views, picnic tables, a playground, facilities, and more.
Summersville Lake State Park
The newest state park in West Virginia and the first in over 30 years, Summersville Lake State Park is not to be missed. Spanning 177 acres with two hiking trails, lake access (fishing, boating, swimming, or scuba diving, anyone?!), a playground, picnic tables, and the only state park with rock climbing areas, Summersville Lake State Park is an outdoor enthusiasts’ dream come true.
Where to stay
Many RV parks abound in and around Summersville, including Summersville Lake Retreat and Lakehouse and Mountain Lake Campground. Sites book up fast, especially in the more popular months, so be sure to check availability well in advance or call the office for inquiries.
Before You Go
Before you go, make sure you’re prepared with all the RV care, RV maintenance, and RV restoration accessories you’ll need. RVbyLIFE’s Life-Calk® polysulfide RV sealant and Life Seal® silicone/polyurethane RV sealant are two staples to have on hand for any quick on the road repair. The Stick scrapping tool also comes in handy and works well with our Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover. Of course, no trip would be complete without a bottle of all-purpose sanitizer. Our Sanitizer for Hands and Surfaces is made with only Benzalkonium Chloride and iodized water, so it won’t leave an odor or irritate the skin on application. It also continues working on surfaces once dry unlike alcohol-based sanitizer. For all other RV repair and maintenance needs, visit our website for our full product catalog.
Make sure to check out our other travel tales to find your next RV travel destination. Happy RV travels!
