Summer at the lake: Top 7 WV lakes for family fun

There’s no better place to spend the hottest days of summer than by a cool lake, and West Virginia has beautiful lakes the whole family will enjoy.

You can pack a picnic and spend a day, pitch a tent or bring your camper and stay awhile. These beautiful lakes will be hard to leave. There are fun activities for everyone of any age. West Virginia lakes feature inflatable toys, scuba diving, boating and much more.

Beat the heat this summer and relax for an afternoon or two by our cool mountain lakes:

1. Summersville Lake

With more than 28,000 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline, Summersville Lake is the largest lake in West Virginia. The superb water quality makes it perfect for swimming, fishing and watercraft use of all kinds. Favorite activities include scuba diving, picnicking, boating and swimming. The campground has hook-ups, a bathhouse and a playground.

2. Cheat Lake

Just east of Morgantown, the new swimming beach at Cheat Lake is the perfect spot to splash, swim and build a sand castle. The biking and hiking trails, fishing platforms, canoe rentals and playground make this a good family destination.

3. Stonewall Jackson Lake

Nestled in the rolling hills of Lewis County, Stonewall Jackson Lake is an ideal setting for family fun and relaxation. Enjoy the outdoor plaza, swimming and fishing areas, walkways and overlook of the dam. The Stonewall Jackson State Park Resort features a golf course, Adirondack-style lodge, spa and swimming pool. The marina has boat slips, as well as canoe and watercraft rentals.

4. Lake Sherwood

At 2,700 feet above sea level in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, Lake Sherwood is the coolest lake in West Virginia. This beautiful lake has a large campground, swimming beaches, a picnic area and trails.

5. Sleepy Creek Lake

Located in beautiful Berkeley County, Sleepy Creek Lake is the perfect spot to cool off and relax on a hot summer afternoon. It’s renowned for some of the best trophy bass fishing in West Virginia. A record-breaking fish 10.8-pound fish was caught there in 1979, and that remained the state record for largemouth bass until 1994. There is also a rustic campground, boat ramps and a day use area.

6. East Lynn Lake

Tucked into the wooded hills of Wayne County, this cool lake is fun for sun bathing, boating, fishing, camping, swimming and picnicking. It’s also a popular water skiing destination for locals.

7. ACE Lake

Open May through October, the 5-acre water park at ACE Adventure Resort has water slides, inflatable toys, a zip line and the high-flying bouncing adventure known as THE BLOB. The white sand beach is perfect for sunbathing and volleyball.

Which lake in West Virginia is your favorite?

This post was last updated on March 15, 2022