6 Best Things to Do in Summersville, West Virginia

By VacationIdea Staff on January 25, 2023 - Updated

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Summersville is a small city in Nicholas County, located in the mountains of West Virginia, near the beautiful Summersville Lake, the largest lake in the state. Summersville is the site of the famous Carnifex Ferry Battle of the American Civil War, now a Battlefield State Park. Kirkwood Winery was the first vineyard established in a valley north of Summersville. Sarge's Dive Shop is a scuba diving business offering diving instructions, equipment sale and rental, charters and excursions on the beautiful Summersville Lake. The Summersville Arena & Conference Center is a multi-use facility for a range of events. It is part of the Summersville Readiness Center.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Summersville Lake

Summersville Lake is a reservoir located in West Virginia near Summersville, formed as a result of building a rock-fill Summersville Dam completed in 1968 on the Gauley River. With 2,700 acres of water, it is the largest lake in West Virginia. It has more than 60 miles of shoreline at the summer water level and maximum depth of 327 feet. The lake was constructed to control flooding and for hydroelectric power generation. It also serves as a recreation area for fishing, boating, rock climbing, snorkeling and scuba diving. There is a small boat intentionally sunk in the lake to give divers opportunity for wreck diving.

Summerville, WV

2.Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, Summersville, West VA

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park commemorates the 1861 Battle of Carnifex Ferry during the American Civil War. The battle site is located on the edge of the Gauley River Canyon near Summersville, Nicholas County, West Virginia. The 156-acre park includes Patterson House Museum, spectacular views of the Gauley River, a network of hiking trails and picnic facilities. It is one of the oldest state parks in the country. The park rangers organize A Civil War reenactment on a weekend after Labor Day. The park is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, which links about 300 historical sites in 16 states.

1194 Carnifex Ferry Crossing, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-0825

3.Kirkwood Winery, Summersville, West Virginia

Kirkwood Winery was the first vineyard established in a rural valley three miles north of Summersville, West Virginia. The vineyard was planted by Rodney Facemire and his sons in spring of 1984. It now consists of over six acres of land that produce 40 tons of grapes every year. The orchards that already existed on the farm were expanded and now grow blackberry, raspberry and blueberry fields and a rhubarb patch. The old family oak press has been used since the beginning. Harvests now yield more than 4,000 gallons of wine every year, used to produce over 30 different varieties of French Hybrid American varietal, mead, vegetable and other fruit wines. Tours and tasting of the Vineyards, Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery are offered throughout the week.

45 Winery Rd, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-7332

4.Sarge's Dive Shop, Summersville, West Virginia

Sarge's Dive Shop is a scuba diving business located on Summersville Lake, known as The Little Bahamas of the East. Owned and operated by two skilled divers Mark T. Allen and Eric Allen, Sarge’s Dive Shop is the oldest dive shop in West Virginia and has been helping locals and visitors discover Summerville Lake for more than 40 years. The shop is located in Summersville Lake Marina, and can be reached by car or boat. The shop offers diving training, charters, and equipment. Highly trained instructors provide certification and training in all scuba diving aspects. The shop also sells and rents name-brand scuba gear, offers dinner cruises, lake tours, scuba and swimming charters, and kayak and paddleboard rentals on Summersville Lake.

1706 Airport Rd, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-1782

5.Summersville Arena and Conference Center, Summersville, West Virginia

The Summersville Arena & Conference Center is located in Summersville, West Virginia and is part of the Summersville Readiness Center, built in 2005. The Summersville Arena & Conference Center includes a 24,000 square foot arena and a 3,715 square foot conference center. The arena can be used for a range of events, including conferences, trainings, meetings, and trade shows. The arena can also be used for sporting events. The retractable bleachers can accommodate 2,400 guests. The portable hardwood basketball floor provides the perfect space for basketball tournaments. The arena can be easily transformed into a beautiful ballroom with chandeliers, ceiling drapes, and hanging lights for wedding receptions and banquets. The conference center can be broken into six conference rooms with state of the art audiovisual equipment, free Wifi, and other conference amenities. In-house catering is available for events of any size.

3 Armory Way, Summersville, WV 26651, Phone: 304-872-3722

6.Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park

Just off Route 19 is the 47-acre park called the Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park. It is dedicated to the brave men and women from Nicholas County who served the country faithfully and bravely. The memorial is nestled within a peaceful and serene green space that offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. For example, active visitors can enjoy a walking trail, cabins for rest, as well as camping areas. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts can capitalize on the park’s baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, a large field for open area sports, and even a pool. Three picnic shelters are also available at the park and can be reserved through the park office ahead of time.

19 Memorial Park Road, Suite B, Summersville, West Virginia 26651; Phone: 304-872-3552