Paddling near Summersville, WV

Summersville sits in Nicholas County in southern West Virginia, and its signature paddling destination is Summersville Lake — a 2,790-acre Army Corps of Engineers reservoir and the largest in the state. The lake is known for turquoise water, sandstone cliffs rising up to 70 feet from the surface, and numerous coves ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and SUP. The Gauley River below the dam adds whitewater kayaking to the mix, and the New River Gorge is also accessible to paddlers in the region.