Summersville Lake: The little Bahamas of the East

About an hour and half outside the city lies Summersville, West Virginia. The best
in-state summer destination.

Summersville has a lot of great things to offer, but their best asset is the lake. Summersville Lake, with its patches of Caribbean-like tropical green water, surprise waterfalls and striking sandstone cliffs make it one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. No wonder its called the little Bahamas of the East.

Summersville Lake is the largest lake in West Virginia and is known for its excellent water clarity and scuba diving conditions. Many activities can be done at the lake including boating, jet skiing, swimming, scuba diving, fishing, hiking, camping,rock climbing and even cliff diving. The essential to budget travel is to approach in front. When it comes along to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved vacations and/or going to see new locations we have never been before, the reality of cost and budgeting is often in the back of our heads. Preparation and expending our travel budget carefully is a priority for most families. Minimizing spending and fees, while still taking pleasure in your vacation to its fullest, is the key to assured success and fiscal obligation. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thinking regarding economizing money while touring is simple: Even if your personal budget is extremely small, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or departing the homestead! Also remembering that while traveling, no matter whether on a resources or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a big vacation or travel bill!. The lake provides a marina, boat shop, camp ground and even a beach that you can take a nice stroll on giving you the feeling that you are indeed walking on the shore of the ocean. Actually, youre walking on a much better shore line...the lakes.

A counter and a keeper

I still have vivid childhood memories of the lake. Weekend family trips full of boating, fishing and camping. A counter and a keeper is what we would call the good fish we caught. The lake is still full of many counters and keepers waiting for you to hook on to. You can fish along the shore of the lake or you can rent a boat and fishing equipment at Sarges Dive Shop. Perhaps youre lucky enough to have your own boat. If so, bring it instead and if so, dont forget to pick me up on your way up there. My phone number is (304) 555...

Boat buddies

Of course it would be great if we all did have our own boat. Unfortunately, were all not that lucky. Just imagine...we could go to the lake every weekend...ahhhh. Personally, I have friends who do this and I have been fortunate enough to be able to bum weekend boat trips to Summersville from them. And, luckily, Charleston is a small enough town, so if you try hard enough, youre sure to bump in to someone who owns a boat and goes to the lake. My suggestion on where to begin...hang out at Charleston Marine...but, dont be creepy about it. Start making friends with these boat people and before you know it, youve got your own set of boat buddies and youre on your way to some super savings because you wont have to worry about renting a boat! Dont be rude, if theyre offering to take you to the lake with them, at least buy the sandwiches or drinks for the weekend.

Lifes a beach

OK, so maybe you dont have the money for a boat rental or maybe youve not been successful in the making friends with people who have boats department. Thats not a problem! You can still go to Summersville Lake without a boat! Thats why they have that gorgeous sandy beach. For $1 per person, you can visit the lakes beach. Walk along the long stretch of sandy beach. Swim in the cool, clean water. Lay in the sun. Pack a cooler...you may not want to leave to get something to eat or drink once you get there.

The beach area is a small peninsula. The spot you choose to locate yourself for the day will depend on your situation. If you stay at the close end, youll have a more populated area with lots of families. But if its a quieter more romantic spot youre in search of, head down to the far end of the beach. In fact, cross the grass to the other side of the peninsula on the far end and you wont find a soul around. Just a warning, there is no sand on that other side, so when you step into the water your feet will touch the actual mud on the bottom of the lake...it almost feels like quicksand, but I promise its not.

And who says waterbeds are out of style?

Eventually, the sun will go down and it will be time to sleep. If youre lucky enough to be able to sleep on a boat, enjoy the calming sensation of being rocked to sleep on the biggest waterbed you will ever sleep onan entire lake. However if sleeping on a boat makes you seasick or if the opportunity to sleep on the water never arises, there are several campgrounds to choose from if you prefer sleeping in a tent or camper.

If youre like me however, dont worry! They do have hotels in the area...phew! Or, if you just wanted a quick one day up and back trip, the lake is only an hour and a half from Charleston so its easy to make a trip up and back in one day. Youll be back in your own bed so quick; youll begin to wonder how you made it to and from the Bahamas so fast.

A penchant for a picnic

The best thing to do for a day of boating, swimming, fishing or whatever your lake activity of choice is is to bring your meals with you. And, no, three cases of Bud Light does not constitute a meal. Im suggesting more along the line of sandwiches, cookies, chips, etc. However, its understandable if your palate becomes bored with the picnic fare. When this happens, there are many chain restaurants as well as some great local restaurants in town to visit. My suggestion is to head down to the local diner in the historic area of downtown Summersville to indulge in some classic country cooking and a large glass of chocolate milk. A list of restaurants in the Summersville area can be found on the Summersville Convention & Visitor's Bureau website.

You may not have been to the actual Bahamas, but you feel like you did. And you did it for a much more wallet-friendly pricecheers to you! More information and photos of Summersville Lake can be found at both the Summersville Convention & Visitor's Bureau website and the city of Summersville website.

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