Summit Lake Campground

A 33-unit semi-primitive, wooded campground with paved access roads and parking spurs, located approximately 10 miles from Richwood, WV, adjacent to a popular 43-acre cold water fishing lake. Although the campground closes in winter, the lake is accessible year-round. Summit Lake was constructed as a reservoir for the town of Richwood and is fed by the two forks of Coats Run, a tributary of the North Fork of the Cherry River. The area has a rich history dating back to Native Americans, the lumber boom of the early 1900s and its current era of land preservation and use. The campground is comprised of two loops. The first loop has sites 1-9, a spring-fed water faucet, a trash cage and double vault toilets. The second loop has sites 10-33, a hand pump for water, two double vault toilets and a trash cage. Both loops offer easy access to the Summit Lake loop trail. At each campsite you will find a paved spur, picnic table, lantern post and fire ring. Cell phone coverage is very spotty but may at times be obtained in the middle of the upper camping loop — please plan ahead. Fishing for stocked trout is the most popular activity at Summit Lake, in addition to canoeing and kayaking. When conditions allow, hardy anglers ice fish the lake. A 1.8-mile trail around the lake offers shoreline access as well as wildlife viewing opportunities. The Cranberry Wilderness, the Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek and the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center are all within a short drive or day bike ride. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocks the 43-acre cold water lake with trout in the spring and fall, and there is also a naturally reproducing population of largemouth bass and panfish. Near the lake you may see a bald eagle come in for some fishing or a black bear making his way along the outer edge of the lake. At 3,392 feet you will find aspen trees and a variety of birds. Richwood is just a short 10-mile drive from the campground. There you will find locally owned dining full of unique personality, and a Dollar General with a grocery market.