Dining

Accommodations

Shopping

Recreation

Parks



Summersville Lake

Summersville Arena
   & Conference Center

More to See



Always in Season

Summersville History

Civil War History
      
 

CARNIFEX FERRY STATE PARK
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield site is located just minutes from Summersville Lake, on the rim of the Gauley River canyon. Step back in time to September 10, 1861 and visit the place where Confederate Brigadier General Floyd retreated from Union Brigadier General Rosecrans.

While here, you may want to reserve one of the four shelters, and play horseshoes, volleyball, and softball or simply have a grilled picnic lunch with your family and friends. Every other year in September there are battle reenactments with living history demonstrations. At Carnifex Ferry, you have access to over 156 acres of land, which provide hiking, and three overlooks of the Gauley River.

The Patterson House was located between Union and Confederate lines during the battle of Carnifex Ferry. After restoration to its original condition, the house serves as a museum containing civil war items of the era and a large map of the battle area indicating both Union and Confederate lines and movements.

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield is an official Civil War Discovery Trail site. The Civil War Discovery Trail links more than 300 sites in 16 states to inspire and to teach the story of the Civil War and its haunting impact on America. The Trail, an initiative of the Civil War Trust, allows visitors to explore battlefields, historic homes, railroad stations, cemeteries, parks and other destinations that bring history to life. For more information on the Civil War Discovery Trail and other programs of The Civil War Trust, call 1-800-CWTRUST.

*Some facilities’ availability is seasonal
 

NEARBY STATE PARKS

BABCOCK STATE PARK and
HAWKS NEST STATE PARK
Visit www.wvstateparks.com

THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST
The Monongahela National Forest was established following passage of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act authorized the purchase of land for long-term watershed protection and natural resource management following massive cutting of the Eastern forests in the late 1800s and at the turn of the century.

In 1915, 7,200 acres were acquired to begin the forest, called the Monongahela Purchase, and then on April 28, 1920 it became the Monongahela National Forest. Today the forest is over 909,000 acres in federal ownership in 10 counties in West Virginia, making it the fourth largest National Forest in 20 northeastern states. It is within one day’s drive of one-third of the population of the United States.

The forest hosts approximately 3 million visitors annually. There are 23 campgrounds, 17 picnic areas, and 500 plus miles of hiking trails. The extensive backwoods road and trail system is used for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding, with many miles of railroad grades that are a link in the recreation use of the Forest. The longest is the Glady to Durbin West Fork Railroad Trail, which is 23 miles long. Recreation ranges from self-reliant treks in the wildernesses and backcountry areas to the challenges of mountain climbing to traditional developed site camping. 

NICHOLAS COUNTY VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK
Nicholas County Veteran’s Memorial Park began as a large, local farm. In the early 1940s, it was donated to the county with the stipulation that it be used to honor our World War II Veterans and for recreation for our children. Today, it is used in a variety of ways for our community. The Nicholas County Fair is held annually the second week of July. The historic Red Barn is original to the park and grounds the small amphitheatre with a large shelter for picnicking. The Nicholas County 4-H holds its annual weeklong camp at NCVMP in June and has serviced over 60 years of children and young adults. The park houses 2 baseball fields, a girl’s softball field, and a t-ball field which entertains hundreds of children and parents in the typical spring baseball season. With the wonderful central location of Summersville, the park has been a great draw for state baseball and softball tournaments. New to the park in 2011 is a skateboard park!

We invite you to bring the whole church, business office, or organization to Nicholas County and stay at our park. It is economical and close to everything you wish to experience. As a county park we wish to provide a great way for you to join us in making a memorable experience.

Our park offers the following rental areas: dining hall with full commercial kitchen, Horse arena, Pool, Fire pit with bleachers, Entertainment stage, Picnic arena, Golf course, Tennis courts, Basketball court, Softball, Baseball fields, Lodging cabins, Soccer fields, Theatre, Kitchen, Banquet Room.
For more information, call 304-872-3552.