Who would’ve thought there’s a secret escape stashed in the vast Appalachia region called “The Little Bahamas of the East”?
Certainly, one could argue these monikers are often overhyped– a clickbait nickname before clickbait even existed, such as Cincinnati being previously referred to as “Paris of America,” with little to no similarity to pathway coffee shops, world-renowned art, or cloud-piercing steel towers.
However, as Eastern America’s final
frontier for tourism, there’s certainly a paradisiacal comparison to be made with magnificent weather, dynamic blue waters, and such clear conditions, you can scuba dive the lake! Despite its unequaled appeal, we at Travel Off Path would be shocked if West Virginia is on your radar this summertime. Although many of America’s icons are losing their luster with declining visitor numbers, such as Vegas, LA, and New York City, it’s only natural for more tourists to find concealed gems.
That’s where Summersville can be found in, a lavish, forested lake town with ideal summertime weather and waterfront delights that won’t damage your wallet.
Beat The Heat! Summersville Seems Like Springville
Summer is the season when most of us flock towards breezy shores to neutralize the beaming sun. While a lot of us opt for California or Florida, some travelers remain closer to home, choosing lakefront cabins over beachside resorts. Sometimes lakes get a bad credibility due to the fact that they’re often murky, however this alpine wonder is absolutely nothing however welcoming for a swim, a picturesque boat trip, a diving adventure, or fishing.
Better yet, despite being called Summersville, the summer season primarily feel like spring, with consistent 75-degree days throughout what are normally the most popular months of the year.
< img width="1200"height =" 1200"src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Dock-over-clear-waters-of-lake-in-Summersville-WV.jpg.webp"alt ="Dock over clear waters of lake in Summersville, WV "/ > If you currently have summertime travel plans, keep Summersville on the back burner for fall, as this lesser-known hideaway is an underrated area for rafting when the waters are too cool to take a dip. Summer, however, sees abundant bright days without the concern of exhausting yourself on a lakeside hike, an euphoric kayak trip, or just relaxing on the beach overlooking the calm, blue waters.
Now through September is your best option for optimal weather condition to take pleasure in a variety of lake activities.
TripAdvisor ranks Battle Run Beach as Summersville’s best, home to tidy campgrounds and clean coasts.
Skip The Glamour! Summersville Is Very Economical
If you were to holiday in Lake Tahoe this summertime, among other noteworthy lake towns, you ‘d be spending a pretty cent on activities, dining, and accommodations. Summersville is the exception without compromising quality. Plus, you’ll have more peace of mind with far less crowds.
Take pleasure in a lovely dinner cruise on Summersville Lake for simply $70 or lease a kayak or paddleboard for $50.
There’s a kind of stay for every budget plan, consisting of a hostel setup for real penny-pinchers at Arete Hotel, or name-brand chains like La Quinta, which opt for $90 and are walkable to among Summersville’s finest dining establishments, Benji Japanese Steakhouse, holding an excellent 4.8 Google ranking.
Similar to any lake town, renting a cabin is always a luring alternative too. There are many to choose from,
covering the lake, or you can find cozy digs in the charming downtown location, too. Cabins are a little more expensive than La Quinta, for example, however offer more space with astonishing nature at your doorstep.
Anticipate to pay in the mid $100’s for nightly rates, which is a steal compared to household names like Tahoe.
How To Get Here
John Denver was on to something with his mega hit anthem, Take Me Home, Country Roads. This ‘Mountain Mama’ is one of the best states for a remarkable trip as you’ll wind through rolling green hills and picturesque valleys.
Summersville is popular among residents in the area, a lot of originate from surrounding states as a fun, household retreat. You can fly in, too, as Charleston, West Virginia’s capital and largest city, is just an hour and a half drive from Appalachia’s prettiest lake town.
Charleston’s West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) serves the following 4 airline companies:
- American Airlines
- Breeze Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
< img alt="" src="https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/08c30d164f9b659d2258bb1df532a7153a2fdf08581e0a371bce68ef1667c7a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g"height =" 96 "width ="96"/ > Sam Sears Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has actually gone to 36 nations and written over 1000 posts with a concentrate on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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