Summersville
Around Summersville
Photo: Jarek Tuszyński · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · West Virginia · 31k people
Summersville
Big mountains, wild rivers, small‑town heart.
Forest GreenRiver BlueAutumn Orange
Welcome to Summersville and the Gauley River country! Whether you're here for the whitewater, the lake, or just to slow down, you'll find friendly folks and plenty of mountain beauty. Come for the ramps in spring, stay for the fall colors.
Clubs for Summersville
No clubs for Summersville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Summersville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Summersville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park Civil War battlefield with hiking trails and river views.
- Holly River State Park Remote park with waterfalls and old-growth forest.
- Webster Springs Mineral springs that gave the town its name, with a historic bathhouse.
- Summersville Lake Largest lake in West Virginia, a hub for boating and fishing.
- Summersville Dam Massive earthen dam on the Gauley River, creating the lake.
- Monongahela National Forest Vast public land with hiking, hunting, and camping.
- Outdoors Whitewater rafting on the Gauley
- Outdoors Fishing on Summersville Lake
- With kids Swimming at Summersville Lake
- With kids Visiting Carnifex Ferry Battlefield
- Evenings Local taverns with live music
- Evenings Campfire gatherings
- Locals love River put-ins
- Locals love Lake coves
Through the year
- National Ramp Festival April Celebrates the wild leek with food, music, and contests in Richwood.
- Nicholas County Fair August Traditional fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Webster County Fair July County fair with agricultural exhibits and entertainment.
- Gauley Season September Fall whitewater releases draw rafters from around the world.
- Webster Springs Heritage Festival June Celebrates local history and culture with crafts and music.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, winters cold and snowy. Best: Fall is unbeatable for foliage and Gauley season, but spring brings ramps and wildflowers.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- A small valley or hollow between hills.
- “crick”
- A creek or small stream.
- “ridge runner”
- Someone from the mountains.
- “gully-washer”
- A heavy rainstorm.
Getaways
- Beckley Coal heritage sites and the Exhibition Coal Mine.
- Greenbrier Valley Historic towns, caves, and the Greenbrier Resort.
- Charleston State capital with museums, dining, and the Capitol.
- Sutton Small-town charm and the Sutton Lake recreation area.
Local flavour
Rooting for West Virginia Mountaineers, Marshall Thundering Herd
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni Rolls A West Virginia staple, born in the state and beloved everywhere.
- Ramps Wild leeks celebrated each spring, often at local festivals.
- WV Hot Dogs Hot dogs with chili, mustard, and coleslaw – a local comfort.
Where people go
- Whitewater Rivers The Gauley River and its legendary rapids draw rafters from far away.
- Lake Marinas Summersville Lake is a hub for boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Small‑Town Diners Hometown eateries where everyone knows your name and the coffee is always on.
- Hunting Camps Seasonal camps where friends and families gather for deer and turkey season.
- Hiking Trails Paths through the Monongahela National Forest and along the ridgelines.
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Nearby
Every areaBeckleyWest VirginiaWhere the hills are steep and the welcome is warmGreenbrier ValleyWest VirginiaWhere the mountains meet the river.CharlestonWest VirginiaFriendly faces and rolling hillsSuttonWest VirginiaWhere the hills keep you close.Alleghany HighlandsVirginiaMountain air, small-town heart.BuckhannonWest VirginiaWhere the hills echo with history.ElkinsWest VirginiaWhere the mountains whisperBluefieldWest VirginiaTwo states, one mountain home.
Nicholas and Webster counties, WV. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.