Tygart Lake State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
What do you seek in your next sojourn? If it involves scenic views of lakes and mountain tops, a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities, and ample facilities for RV camping, then look no further. Tygart Lake State Park is located in the northern part of West Virginia at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. The main feature of the park is Tygart Lake, a 10-mile-long lake that covers 1,750 acres and is the source of much of the area's entertainment, including fishing and boating.
Just four miles from Grafton, it's easy to forget how close you are to town when you're enjoying the state park. Hikers will have the chance to explore five nature trails that are scattered around the park. If hunting or golfing is what you're looking for, these activities are located just outside of the park.
When you stay at Tygart Lake State Park, you have the option of cabins, a lodge, or camping with a tent or RV. There are 36 campsites at the park, as well as eleven cottages that you can rent fully furnished. Some of these areas even allow pets, so make sure to reserve your spot early if you want to bring your furry family member. The park is also a great site for group meetings or company retreats. It has an ample conference space that you can enjoy overlooking the lake.
RV Rentals in Tygart Lake State Park
Transportation
Driving
Tygart Lake State Park is located on Paul E. Malone Road in Grafton, 144 miles northeast of Charleston, West Virginia. If you're driving a large vehicle, you'll want to navigate the area carefully as it is in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains.
When you come to the park entrance, continue slowly down the road. The park's campground is at the very end of the road. When navigating your rig through the campsites, keep in mind that your camping unit needs to be less than 32 feet long. You also need to be capable of tight turns, as there are no pull-through spaces available at the campground.
You can bring a boat to Tygart Lake State Park and utilize the public boat launches within the park. You can also rent boats such as fishing boats or other boating equipment if you didn't bring your own.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Tygart Lake State Park
Campsites in Tygart Lake State Park
Reservations camping
Tygart Lake State Park Campground
The campground at Tygart Lake State Park features 36 campsites, 10 of which offer electrical hook-ups. Each site has a picnic table as well as a fire pit that you can enjoy each day. You will also find a centrally located bathhouse and dump station. The campground is open from mid-April through October, and reservations are recommended. Camping units need to be less than 32 feet in length and capable of making tight turns. If you need to stock up on supplies like snacks and firewood, you can visit the check-in station.
Alternate camping
Lake Cabins
Tygart Lake State Park has 11 cabins available for rent, six of which overlook the massive lake. These cozy cottages are perfect for families, couples, or friends. Cabins one through 10 offer various sleeping arrangements and come equipped with full kitchens, a bathroom with a shower, central heat and air conditioning, a stone fireplace, cable television, and linen service. These 10 cabins are open from mid-April until the end of December and can be reserved in advance. Cabin 11 is a more modern vacation cabin and offers all the same amenities as cabins one through 10 with a more luxurious atmosphere. Cabin 11 is available for rent year-round and can be reserved in advance.
Lodge
Tygart Lake State Park offers a 20 room lakefront lodge situated high up on the peninsula. The lodge features a variety of rooms offering free Wi-Fi, bathrooms, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a coffee pot, and a television. The lodge also features an onsite, full-service restaurant. Some rooms are pet-friendly if you have a four-legged friend traveling with you. The lodge is located in the heart of the park, so you'll be close to the action while you enjoy the top-notch amenities.
Off-site Campgrounds
If all the spaces at Tygart Lake State Park are spoken for, don't fret. There are several alternative camping options under an hour's drive from the park. Monongahela National Forest sits about 45 minutes to the south and has hundreds of RV friendly campsites with electric and water hookups. Some primitive sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Coopers Rock State Forest is about 45 minutes north of Tygart Lake and features 25 RV friendly sites with electric hookups.
Seasonal activities in Tygart Lake State Park
Off-Season
Fishing
When you come to Tygart Lake State Park, you'll want to bring your fishing gear along in the Sprinter and get ready for some great fishing. You can fish from the banks of the lake or a fishing boat. You can bring your own boat or rent one from the marina. The park's fish are plentiful and reproduce naturally rather than being replenished by restocking. You'll be able to fish for walleye, perch, northern pike, and panfish.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun sport (treasure hunting for the modern age) that you'll be able to take part in during your RV trip to Tygart Lake State Park. The park has numerous caches for you to search for and uncover the hidden treasure. The 12 caches, located all around the park, can only be found by using your GPS or mobile phone to track the coordinates and find the hidden cache.
Hunting
While you might not come to Tygart Lake State Park just for the hunting, you will be able to take part in it, if that is your fancy. There are areas to hunt right outside of the state park in Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area. You'll need to have a hunting license, which you can apply for before you leave from home. There are a variety of animals to hunt when in-season, from deer and turkeys to rabbits and waterfowl.
Photography
Don't forget to pack the camera along in the motorhome. Tygart Lake State Park has endless opportunities for professional and smartphone photographers alike to snap the perfect photo. The stunning Lake Tygart is especially astounding in the autumn when fall foliage is at its peak. With the grandiose Allegheny Mountains as the backdrop, it's impossible to take a bad picture. Check out Dogwood Trail for a panoramic view of the lake from above. If you're interested in wildlife photography, tread lightly along the Ridge Trail. Wherever you wander, you won't want to be without your camera.
In-Season
Hiking
When you're spending time in Tygart Lake State Park, don't forget to plan for some hiking. There are five trails with varying difficulty levels, but all are relatively short at less than two miles in length. Most of them start near the park office or lodge, making for easy access to the trailhead right from your camper. One of the most beautiful trails is the Dogwood Trail, which passes through a forest of dogwood trees before climbing in elevation to the top of the ridge for a peek of the lake before descending back down.
Swimming
The summer months bring the heat to Tygart Lake State Park, so you'll want to bring your bathing suit along in the Airstream. You'll be able to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking along the 10-mile beach shore. The lakeshore beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Wednesdays through Sundays. Only designated areas are open for swimming, so you'll want to consult with park employees to direct you where you need to go.
Boating
The stunning nearly 2,000-acre Tygart Lake is bursting with recreational activity in the summer months, and the marina is open from May through September to provide everyone visiting the lake a little comfort. If you don't bring your own boat along on your RV trip, you can rent a pontoon or fishing boat from the marina to help you relax on the water. You can also rent kayaks from the beach. Many people enjoy kayaking or canoeing, as well as paddleboarding on the lake because the water is so tranquil. You'll be able to experience the peaceful waters while you paddle across the lake's surface while enjoying the view of the Allegheny Mountains.
Picnicking
Tygart Lake State Park has various picnicking areas splattered all over the park, making it easy to have lunch with a view. The lake has numerous tables along the shore that offer stunning views of the lake with the Allegheny Mountains in the background. If you fancy staying closer to the campground, you can picnic right outside the rig at your private picnic table. If you have a large group, consider renting a picnic pavilion. These large areas are perfect for cookouts, family reunions, and birthday parties. The picnic pavilions are available for rent during the summer season, and early reservations are recommended for summer weekends and holidays.
