Want to go scuba diving this summer? If so, there’s no need to book a flight to Hawaii or an island in the Caribbean; just drive about 65 miles east of Charleston, to Sarge’s Dive Shop in Summersville, West Virginia, and strap on your goggles. The 2,700-acre, crystal-clear Summersville Lake attracts droves of eager water-sports fans each year to partake not only in scuba diving, but also snorkeling, boating and fishing.
For those who prefer land-based adventures, Summersville is home to hundreds of miles of trails and roads. Thrill-seeking mountain bikers can head over to the Cranberry Tri-Rivers Rail Trail, which begins in nearby Richwood and beautifully winds along the Cranberry, Gauley and Cherry Rivers. They can also enjoy zipping through miles of paths in the Monongahela National Forest.
Hikers, too, can find sanctuary in the sprawling Monongahela. Within its lush forest sits the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, a 750-acre area that includes a half-mile boardwalk through two bogs. Constructed to avoid disturbing the natural habitat of the wetlands, the boardwalk allows visitors to feast their eyes on a wide variety of birds, as well as flora and fauna. The boardwalk is also wheelchair accessible.
Back at Summersville Lake, make sure to be on the lookout for a rock climber or two scaling the sheer cliffs that line the lake. The destination attracts flocks of climbers from around the globe each year, not only at Summersville Lake, but also along the nearby New River Gorge.