Sited in the hills at the western edge of West Virginia, Beech Fork Lake, a 1.1 sq. mile US Army Corps of Engineers park, is a wonderful destination for camping adventures, recreational opportunities, and nature observations. Located about seven miles southeast of Huntington, West Virginia, this COE park features old cabin sites, formations, and archaeological artifacts that have cultural and historical significance within the area.
Amazing recreational opportunities are available for RV campers and visitors at Beech Fork Lake, ranging from a host of water-based activities to wildlife watching and nature appreciation. The lake is open to boating, paddling, and canoeing, as well as fishing for saugeye fry, largemouth bass, channel catfish, hybrid bass, and black crappie. Park explorers also enjoy hiking the scenic trails within the park. Biking trails are available at the nearby Beech Fork State Park. The well-equipped picnic shelters and sites at this lake park offer the best picnic experiences to visitors and campers too. If you fancy swimming, there’s more than enough room for you to knock yourself out.
There are no RV campgrounds at Beech Fork Lake. However, plenty of camping opportunities (tent, group, and RV) are available at Beech Fork State Park.
Located about seven miles southeast of Huntington, West Virginia, Beech Fork Lake is an easily accessible COE park for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles, owing to the fact that a network of major and local roads lead to the park. Navigation within the park is also straightforward. There are no driving restrictions within the park. Vacationers can rent camping equipment at Barboursville and Huntington.
Parking spaces are available for vacationers and visitors at and around Beech Fork Lake.
There are no direct public transportation services to Beech Fork Lake.
Various year-round camping options are available at Beech Fork State Park, ranging from tent and group camps to RV/trailer camping opportunities. Featuring four campgrounds with a total of 275 campsites and one group camp, RV campers at Beech Fork Lake can enjoy the use of the camping facilities and amenities at Beech Fork State Park. Eighty of the campsites are located on the shore of Beech Fork Lake.
Campsite amenities include picnic tables, grills, parking pads, firewood, and flush toilets. Only electric hookups are available for rigs, while RVs and trailers up to 60 feet can be accommodated within the campgrounds.
Campground reservations are accepted.
Boating enthusiasts who visit Beech Fork Lake for vacations will find boat launch ramps within the park areas for them to kickstart their adventures. Various watercraft are allowed on the lake, so that boaters, paddlers and canoeists can enjoy the use of the lake. However, according to US Army COE and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources laws, there is a 10-horsepower limit on all boat engines on the lake. A marina is available for boaters to get supplies and boat rentals.
Fishing enthusiasts who visit Beech Fork Lake also have access to the boat launch ramps available for them to launch their fishing vessels to catch the various fish species present within the lake from offshore. A fishery is also available within the park, jointly managed by the COE and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. The lake is regularly stocked with saugeye fry, largemouth bass, channel catfish, hybrid bass, and black crappie. Trout is also available downstream of the dam in the outflow area. Fishing licenses are required at the park.
There are plenty of exciting opportunities for wildlife-related activities at Beech Fork Lake, particularly photography and hunting. A host of fauna species reside within the park, providing excellent viewing opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts. Moreover, migratory sub-tropical songbirds, waterfowl, wood ducks, vireo, and warbler species are commonly seen in the park. Adventurous wildlife enthusiasts can take a trip to Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area for more exciting opportunities.
There are good opportunities to enjoy the use of the trails at Beech Fork Lake for various outdoor recreational activities. The paths available at the park are maintained by the US Army COE and are located around the Stowers Branch Beach and Beech Fork Dam.
These hiking trails present campers with unique opportunities to explore the various scenic spots within the park on foot. Although bike trails are not available at Beech Fork Lake, there is one located nearby at Beech Fork State Park.
Beech Fork Lake is a premier destination for RV campers and visitors who love to enjoy picnics and outdoor meals. This is because there are four well-equipped picnic shelters available within the park, all of which feature electrical outlets, playgrounds, charcoal grills, and restrooms. These shelters, which are available both by reservation and on a first-come, first-served basis, offer the best picnic experience for users. Also, numerous picnic sites with picnic tables are also available within the park.
One of the places that RV campers and visitors love to spend their time at Beech Fork Lake is at the swimming beach at Stower’s Branch Beach. This swimming beach provides excellent ways for swimming enthusiasts to unwind, refresh, and recharge themselves while at the park. Because no lifeguards are provided at this swimming beach, all beach users are urged to practice safe swimming in the park’s waters. Children are to be supervised when swimming.
