Major city · United States
SummersvilleSummersville, West Virginia
Give Summersville 2 nights if you want the lake; 1 night works as a US-19 stop between Fayetteville and Weston.
Summersville is a small West Virginia town of about 3,300 people on US-19, and the reason to stop is Summersville Lake next door: the state's largest lake, with cliffs, boat rentals and campgrounds. The town itself is a strip of motels, chain hotels and a few local restaurants. Two nights covers the lake plus Carnifex Ferry; one night is enough if you are only breaking a drive.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep for the lake; late Sep for the Gauley River Festival
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, lake facilities closed)
- Airports
- CRW · CKB
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Summersville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Summersville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow crime and a safe small-town feel; the real risks are highway speed enforcement, fast water and cliffs at the lake, and unlit back roads at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCRW Yeager Airport, Charleston (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-19 and I-79; check current rental-car hours.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–15
- BeerBeer at a bar$4–7
- Budget bedCampsite, a night, per personUS$8
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CRW Yeager Airport, Charleston (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-19 and I-79; check current rental-car hours.) · CKB North Central West Virginia Airport, Bridgeport (About 1 h 45 min by car; smaller, fewer flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best*
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Summersville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
13 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
13 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. US-19 runs through town and WV-129 branches off to Summersville Lake and Mount Nebo. There is no useful local bus for visitors; taxis and rideshare are thin, so plan your own vehicle or rent at the airport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive WV-129 and county roads to Carnifex Ferry Road, about 20 min
Gauley River overlooks, short trails and the Patterson House Museum; a half day.
Gauley River Recreation Area (Route 129 at Mount Nebo)
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Drive WV-129 from US-19
Whitewater rafting and primitive camping; rafting is scheduled around dam release days, so book with an operator.
Fayetteville
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-19 south
Gateway to the New River Gorge.
Sutton
goDoor to door: About 40 min
US-19 north
Small town stop on the Elk River.
Richwood
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
WV-39 east
Mountain roads; slow going in winter.
Weston
goDoor to door: Just over 1 h
US-19 north
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum tours.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US-19 strip (S Broad Street / Merchants Walk)
Chain motels and hotels with parking, walkable to fast food; best for one night with a car.
Summersville Lake Road and Mount Nebo
Cabins, campgrounds and lake access; 10–20 min drive from town, no walkable services.
Downtown Main Street
A few local restaurants and shops; limited lodging.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–190 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel room1 × 2 nights × US$130 | US$260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| Boat or pontoon rental, half day1 × US$300 · check | US$300 |
| Gauley River rafting trip2 × US$150 · check | US$300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$150 |
| Trip total≈ US$413 per person per day, bed included | US$1,650 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–15 |
| Burger or sandwich plate | $10–18 |
| Beer at a bar | $4–7 |
| Gallon of gas | $3.00–3.60 (check) |
| Motel room, one night | $55–145 |
| Lake boat rental, half day | $150–500 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Speed limits on US-19 through town are enforced closely; the area is known for speed traps.
- Lake marinas, boat rentals and campgrounds are seasonal: confirm opening dates before you drive out.
- Cell coverage is patchy in the Gauley River gorge and on back roads.
- Summer weekends fill motels and campsites; book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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SummersvilleSummersville, West Virginia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Summersville; national embassies are in Washington, DC. Consulates for several countries are in Charleston or Pittsburgh (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yeager Airport (CRW) → Summersville by car: about 1 h 15 min, roughly 60 mi (check)
- Summersville → Fayetteville on US-19: about 30 min
- Summersville → Weston on US-19: just over 1 h
Say or show
- Where is the boat launch? — Where is the boat launch?
- Is the lake open today? — Is the lake open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is the trailhead? — How far is the trailhead?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Summersville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep for the lake; late Sep for the Gauley River Festival · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, lake facilities closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CRW: last rental-car desk hours, drive time to Summersville, overnight fallback.
- Two walking clusters with anchors: the US-19 motel strip and Main Street.
- Lake pages with verified season dates, marina hours and boat-rental cutoffs.
- Festival fixtures (bluegrass in June, lake festival in July, Gauley River Festival in late September) so event weekends can go green.