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 in 956 as a reservoir for the town of Richwood, WV. It 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.
More like this: reservable in West Virginia · tent only in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia · group sites in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 33 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
34 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Picnic Shelter | Shelter | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Back-in | 89 | Paved | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 75 / 10 | No | Standard |
| 1 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 2 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 3 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 4 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 5 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 6 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 7 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 61 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 8 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 9 | Summit Lake | Standard | Back-in | 54 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 09:00 PM, checkout 6:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | All campsites are $15 per night and are first-come, first-serve; Group Picnic Shelter is $50 per day and is reservable at Recreation.Gov |
Summit lake campground is comprised of two loops. The first loop has sites 1-9 and a spring fed water faucet water source, trash cage, and double vault toilets. The second loop has sites 10 -33, has a hand pump for water, two double vault toilets, trash cage, and both loops offer easy access to the Summit Lake loop trail. At each campsite you will find paved spur, picnic tables, 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Lake opens when roads are snow-free. Campground opens in April to November |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Fees | Camping $10/night |
| Rules | Maximum length of stay is 14 days. Check-out time is 2:00 p.m. Dogs are permitted if on a leash at all times. Leash must be 6 ft. or shorter. Food storage order applies to pet food also. Single site limit is one wheeled camping unit only, defined as motorhome or travel trailer; no more than 8 people; no more than 2 vehicles. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions: From Richwood, WV Tavel East on State Route 39/55 Approximately 8 miles to Summit Lake Road/WV39/5, then 2.2 miles to Summit Lake Campground. From Marlinton Travel South on US-219 S Approximately 8.3 Miles to Mill Point. Turn Right Onto WV-39 W/WV-55 W. Approximately 21 Miles Turn Right on to Summit Lake Road/ WV39/5.
| Nearest town | Richwood, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.2487° N, 80.4448° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedArrowhead Trails Rx
37 mi from the campground · 195 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Appalachian Sport ↗ | 19 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Indiana Summit Lake State Park Campground 2024
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSummit Lake Trail ↗1.7 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.2 miFishermans Trail1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miNorth Bend Trail2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miPocahontas Trail ↗17.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miRough Run3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.6 miBarrenshe Trail ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- inGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,487,961 acres
- 2.9 miCranberry Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 47,742 acres
- 7.5 miMonongahela National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,703,725 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Beaver MillBuilding · Craigsville · 13.2 mi
Natural features
Summit Lake is a 43-acre cold water lake and is only a short hike or drive away from the campground. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocks the lake with trout in the spring and fall. There is also a naturally reproducing poplulation 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 you will find Aspen trees and a variety of birds.
Recreation
Fishing for stocked trout is the most popular activity at Summit Lake in addtion to canoeing and kayaking. When conditions allow, hardy anglers ice fish the lake. A 1.8 mile trail around the lake offers shoreline access to the lake 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.
Nearby
Richwood is just a short 10-mile drive from the Campground. There you will find locally owned, full of unique personality dining at local restaurants. Richwood also currently offers a dollar general with grocery market.
Guidebooks for Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Five-Star Trails: West Virginia's Monongahela National ForestJohnny Molloy, 2022Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Summit Lake Campground?
Sites at Summit Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Summit Lake Campground?
All campsites are $15 per night and are first-come, first-serve; Group Picnic Shelter is $50 per day and is reservable at Recreation.Gov
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Summit Lake Campground?
Check-in 09:00 PM, checkout 6:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Summit Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Lake opens when roads are snow-free. Campground opens in April to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Summit Lake Campground have?
34 sites, including 33 standard sites without power and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Summit Lake Campground?
Summit Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Summit Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Summit Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Summit Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Summit Lake Campground?
Fishing for stocked trout is the most popular activity at Summit Lake in addtion to canoeing and kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Summit Lake Campground?
Richwood, West Virginia. Richwood is just a short 10-mile drive from the Campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Summit Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cranberry River Campsites (5 mi), Cranberry Campground (5.3 mi), and Big Rock (5.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby