 Attractions
There's
plenty of what you're looking for at Wilderness Lake
Chalets, whether you seek solitude in one of our cabins
or an exciting gathering for friends or family in a
vacation home. All include gas grills and spacious decks
for outdoor dining and most include outdoor hot tubs.
Guests also have access to Wilderness Lake's picnic
areas, playground, and horseshoe pits. The major
attractions here are Summersville Lake and the Gauley
River National Recreation Area, though there's plenty
more to do in spring, summer, winter, and fall.
Recreation
ATV
Tours
Four-wheeler
excursions through the mountains are provided through
several local outfitters. Local private trail areas
operate nearby. ATVs are prohibited in national park
areas.
Biking
On-
and off-road biking is extremely popular throughout the
New River Gorge and Summersville Lake regions -- within
the national park and recreation areas and among the
backroads of the surrounding highlands.
Birding
The
New River Gorge region is a popular destination for bird
watchers. The New River Birding & Nature Festival is
held here in early May. Dozens of species, both rare and
common in Appalachia, migrate through the area.
Climbing
The
New River Gorge and Summersville Lake are among the top
ten U.S. rock-climbing destinations. Rock climbers on
the cliffs along the lake enjoy the chance to dive from
the heights after a strenuous climb. Climbing lessons
and guided tours are available through many regional
guides and outfitters.
Fishing
The
Wilderness Lake Chalets area is famous for its fishing.
Warm-water angling is a favorite pastime on Summersville
Lake, while some of the state's best trout streams are
located nearby on Gauley River and in the Monongahela
National Forest on the Elk, Williams, and Cranberry
Rivers.
Hiking
More
than 30 miles of hiking trails meander through the New
River Gorge National River and through nearby Babcock
State Park, Hawks Nest State Park, and Carnifex Ferry
State Park. Hundreds of miles of trails roam the high
mountains of the Monongahela National Forest to our
east.
Horseback
Riding
Several
local guide services offer guided horseback tours of the
New River Gorge, the Meadow River Gorge, and the
surrounding highlands of southern and central West
Virginia. It's a great way to explore the region's
forests.
Kayaking
Hundreds
of kayaking streams descend through the boulder-strewn
canyons of West Virginia. The nearby New, Gauley, and
Meadow rivers are three of the best known kayaking
streams in the eastern U.S. Nearby
Rafting
The
New River and nearby Gauley River are among the most
popular whitewater rafting rivers in the U.S. Hundreds
of thousands of rafters venture here every year. You'll
need to make reservations early for Gauley Season
(mid-Sept through mid-October
Nearby
Attractions
Babcock
State Park
An
operating gristmill is among the highlights in this
scenic state park only 25 minutes from Wilderness Lake
Chalets, as are a swimming pool, small fishing lake, and
plenty of trails.
Bridge
Day Festival
More
than 200,000 visitors turn out for the annual Bridge Day
Festival in October when the bridge is open to
pedestrian traffic and parachutists are permitted to
leap from the span, an easy 15-minute drive south.
Camp
Washington-Carver
The
Appalachian Stringband Festival in August is the
hallmark festival at Camp Washington-Carver, a 20 minute
drive from Wilderness Lake Chalets. More than 3,000 fans
turn out for the four-day celebration.
Canyon
Rim Visitor Center
This
national park visitor center straddles the cliffline at
the northern end of the New River Gorge Bridge, about 15
minutes from Wilderness Lake Chalets, and includes
exhibits and overlooks.
Carnifex
Ferry Battlefield State Park
The
battle between Union and Confederate forces at Carnifex
Ferry, on the Gauley River, is interpreted in this
historical park less than five minutes from Wilderness
Lake Chalets.
Gauley
River
The
Gauley River is among the world's most popular
whitewater rivers. The river runs is strongest during
Gauley Season in late September and early October.
Hawks
Nest State Park
A
drive of about 15 minutes from Wilderness Lake Chalets,
Hawks Nest State Park features several overlooks of the
lower New River Gorge and a aerial tramway which carries
visitors into its depths.
Historic
Fayetteville
Fayetteville
and its quaint historic district include several great
restaurants and many outfitters and specialty shops,
only 15 minutes south of Wilderness Lake Chalets.
New
River Gorge
The
New River Gorge National River protects more than 70,000
acres in and around the New River and its canyon,
centerpiece of West Virginia's outdoor-recreation
capital.
Summersville
Lake
Exceptionally
clear waters and astonishing rock formations attract
thousands of anglers, divers, boaters, and rock-climbers
to Summersville Lake, less than a five-minute drive from
our door.
Tamarack
West
Virginia's showplace for native arts, approximately
30-minutes south of Wilderness Lake Chalets, is the
ultimate shopping destination for collectors of
Appalachian handicrafts.
Winterplace
Off
Interstate 77 only 55 minutes south of Wilderness Lake
Chalets, Winterplace ski resort includes 27 ski trails,
a terrain park, and 10-lane snow-tubing park.
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