$24 / night

Camper submitted image from Battle Run - 1

Camper submitted image from Battle Run - 2

Roads

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Nature

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Facilities

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Activities

Established Camping

Battle Run

15 Reviews

About

US Army Corps of Engineers

Summersville Lake

Overview

Battle Run Campground is conveniently located just south of Summersville, West Virginia, on the shores of the largest lake in the state. Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make Summersville Lake a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Recreation

The 2790-acre lake provides excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, and scuba diving. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish. Trout are stocked below the dam in spring and fall. Visitors also enjoy the great hiking, biking, hunting, geocaching, and picnicking opportunities on the lands surrounding the lake. For high adventure seekers, whitewater rafting is available year-round on the world class Gauley River. The Summersville Lake area also offers technical rock climbing.

Facilities

Natural Features

Scenic Summersville Lake is known for its striking cliffs and quiet coves along 60 beautiful miles of shoreline. Dense forests of maple, oak, hickory, beech and birch trees cover the region. Wildlife, including black bear, deer, grouse and turkey, is abundant in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The historic Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is a 10-minute drive from the campground. The park offers a museum, three Gauley River overlooks and hiking trails as well as a Civil War Battle Reenactment every other year. Summersville Lake Marina and Sarge's Dive Shop are 11 miles away, offering kayak and pontoon boat rentals. The town of Summersville, another five miles north, has several grocery stores, restaurants and service stations. Mountain Lake Campground is a privately managed campground with lake access. Summersville Lake Retreat is three miles east on Route 129 offering cabins and lighthouse tours. World-renowned rock climbing on the New River Gorge- just 18 miles south. Within the 63,000 acres of New River Gorge River are over 1,400 established rock climbs. "The New" has become one of the most popular climbing areas in the country. The cliffs at New River Gorge are made up of a very hard sandstone, and range from 30 to 120 feet in height.

Fee Info

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Location

Battle Run is located in West Virginia

Directions

From U.S. Highway 19, turn west on State Route 129 and travel 3 miles to the campground.

Address

2981 SUMMERSVILLE LAKE ROAD
Summersville, WV 26651-4901

Coordinates

38.2216667 N
80.9097222 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Big Rig Friendly

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$24

/ night

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

(877) 444-6777

Karen J. A.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2022

NO PETS!

Learned a hard lesson. Should have called the campground to confirm pets. They have a large population of ducks. I’m assuming that’s why they don’t accept any pets.

Month of VisitOctober

Jean C.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2021

Large lakeside campground: boating, swimming, rafting

This Army Corps of Engineers campground provides a larger number of RV and tent sites with electic near a lake. There are also a few walk-in tent sites that offer wooded seclusion. I was here in April, so this was not yet open and the lake level was still low (the Gauley Tailwaters campground offered a primitive alternative.

Sites are grassy with gravel, generally level parking pads, some shade, a large playground. Boat ramp available. Popular spot, so make reservations early.

The New River Gorge National Park is nearby with a number of hiking, fishing, and rafting opportunities, but there is plenty to keep you occupied here.

(135) View All

Ron

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2021

Great lakeside camping. Another Corps of Engineers gem!

We parked our RV out on one of the campground fingers and had water on 3 sides of us. Swimming was available just adjacent to our side. Lots of kayakers making river runs from the other side of the dam. Another Corps of Engineers gem!

All sites seem to have 20/30/50 amp electrical options.

We hiked the Kevin R Brown trail which is the only one you can access from the campground.

Speedtest:

T-Mobile = 56.2 Mbps Download, 4.29 Mbps Upload

AT&T = 26.73 Mbps Download, 6.45 Mbps Upload

Site78

Month of VisitOctober

Ron W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2021

Excellent tent camping

Overall the campground (tent camping) was very private and clean. The restroom & shower facilities were easily within walking distance. The facilities could use a deep clean but overall were fine. The only issue was the late check in (5pm) which caused vehicles to backup at the entrance. The lake is very nice and the New River Gorge and rafting is 20 minutes away.

SiteT05

Month of VisitJuly

Mike F.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2020

Awesome Place

Maybe my favorite campground. Beautiful lake views, very well kept sites, clean bath houses and tons of nearby activities. Very difficult to reserve because of its popularity but this campground is fantastic.

(5) View All

Ruby W.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 27, 2019

Gorgeous Water Views

Right across the street from our usual spot at the New, my friends stayed at this site with a couple other friends this week. They stayed in a group with their families, we swing by to get a view of the lake and hangout on the little shelter / play area. Great location for families, with good roads, and other amenities. Right by Summersville Dam, a gas station, local shops and restaurants, and many cool boating and recreation locations. Right before the dam there is a location you can camp in for free, but this would be a better location for kids and dogs to run around.

(4) View All

Hannah V.

Ranger

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2018

Not Great Tent Camping

This campground is mainly for RVs, tent camping here is not the best. With that being said it is one of the only campgrounds that is actually on Summersville lake which makes it nice for easy access to the lake and cliffs. It is also a super popular campground so reserve ahead of time to make sure you’re guaranteed a spot at one of the 110 campsites. They also have seven walk-in primitive camping sites that are nice but still fill up quickly on weekends. They have a bath house with flush toilets, water spigots, laundry, and a dumping station. Because this is on the lake you can dock your boat at their own docks right off of your site- which is also convenient.

While the lake does allow power boating, kayaks and paddle boarding are still very popular as this is an immense 2790-acre lake. It is one of the clearest lakes in the east, so scuba diving is also very popular here. Rock climbing is also a great use of these cliffs that surround the lake as well as cliff jumping, this is at your own risk as there are large rocks/boulders in the water below. However, you will notice most locals know where the best swimming and jumping are. Overall, great place to come and explore.

(12) View All

Lori S.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2018

Gorgeous views

This campground is situated on gorgeous Summersville Lake! It has all you could ask for in a campground including RV and tent sites, bathhouses with showers, dump facilities for RVs, and the most beautiful clear lake water!!! No loud noises after 10pm makes it ideal! We had a tent site with a fire pit and picnic table on a point of land surrounded by water! We didn't fish much but the swimming was incredible!

Natalie B.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2018

Beautiful view

We were able to get two sites along the Lake, it was peaceful and had a beautiful view. The bathrooms were clean, the only issue we had were the geese that liked to come up and use the campsites for their own.

Month of VisitJuly

Jason Y.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 25, 2018

Best campground at Summersville Lake.

Beautiful campground with several site right on the lake. Has a large beach area and bathhouses are cleaned regularly. Water is super clean. This is our favorite campground! Very hard to get sites. Must be booked 6 months in advance.

Month of VisitAugust

(6) View All

Dave V.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2017

Water, Water Everywhere...

Battle Run Campground at Summersville Lake, WV (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/battle-run/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73075 ) offers a unique camping experience. Of the 114 campsites available, a large percentage are waterfront, which is what most that camp here desire. In fact, most campers will have their powerboats moored at their site. Claims of the acreage of Summersville Lake vary between 2700-3000 acres, but most agree on around 60 miles of shoreline, making this the largest lake in WV. Summerville Lake is man-made, built in the early 1960's…but it is clean, clear and deep!

Cliffs line much of the lake, which lends itself to daredevils plunging off into the water..but know what lies below. Because this is a man-made lake, they flooded it over the existing wooded areas…so when water levels are low, you could be impaling yourself. Locals know the best spots.

For obvious reasons, this is boater heaven…and Battle Run Campground is always packed. Want to go…reserve your site 6 months in advance or better. There are also 7 walk-in tent sites along the shoreline. Just know, there is little privacy. Also take note: No Pets! Scuba divers love this lake, as it goes as deep as 327 feet…and there are the remnants of the town Gad at the Lake's bottom that once called this area home.

Battle Run Campground basically looks like the outline of an oak leaf, with a series of half loops lined with camp sites. While sites are electric, water is centrally located as is the two showerhouse/restroom facilities. Basketball and volleyball courts are in the center of the campground, as is a horseshoe pit…and kids activity area. The campground beach and boat ramp are located down the road.

Several marina's in the area offer various boat rentals and boat ramp fees. Battle Run Boat Ramp Day Use fees are minimal at a few bucks. Local dive shops also have scuba rentals.

Summerville Lake Dam feeds the Gauley River, so if whitewater rafting is your thing, you've come to the right spot. Spring and Fall releases brings the wildest rides, but the Gauley has Class V rapids all year. Having done the Gauley at both Spring and Fall, both are fast and fun!

If you are looking for quiet, wooded solitude…its right around the corner. So if you camp at Battle Run, don't despair…Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park (https://wvstateparks.com/park/carnifex-ferry-battlefield-state-park/)) is about 5 minutes away, where the trails offer that solitude and great views…surrounded by history. Carnifex Ferry Battlefield was a pivotal Civil War victory for the Union, turning the Confederate Army from the Virginias. Cool stuff! Numerous other trails dot this area too.

Definitely visit the Custard Stand on your way too and from Rt.19…you'll thank me later.

Month of VisitJune

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Dan N.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2016

Summersville Lake camping

Summerville Lake is surrounded by cliffs topped by trees. Perfect for exploring by boat. Lots of wildlife, nice beach. Tent sites spaced well, privacy varies site to site. Some sites are at the edge of the lake so you can dock your boat just 10 feet from your tent. Get reservations in summer but not very busy late spring.

Sam R.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 10, 2016

A campground you must visit

If your into hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, paddle boarding or just hanging out outdoors battle run is for you. Whether it's weekend camping with friends/ family or some where to crash after a long day on the lake/ river you won't regret staying in beautiful West Virginia.

Jennifer H.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2016

Battle Run, WV

Great Place if you like to hike. Wonderful trails. The peole are nice and Its beautiful. Only thing I didn't like was I couldn't being my dog because pets are not welcome. As of right now July 2016 the are closed due to flooding hopefully they will be back up and running soon cause I'm ready to go back.

Gidget R.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2016

great campground

We visit this campground every year and have for the past 20 years. Great lake access for your boat from the campground. Our favorite family vacation spot.