Tygart Lake State Park

It’s a nice place but we were disappointed to see all these old Christmas trees attached to cinder blocks thrown into the lake. We went here to find garbage and cinder blocked trees lining the shores that are normally underwater but the water level was extremely low. And the park Ranger was ripping through the area on an atv golf cart thing kinda ruining the nature. The Dam is cool and when you go in season it’s much nicer.

I spent three days at the Lodge in Tygart Lake State Park. The views from the room are fantastic, the staff is extremely friendly and accomodating, and the room was very clean. It is an older hotel, but I wasn’t looking for fancy. I just wanted something comfortable, clean and relaxing. I got all of that at the Lodge.

Not sure what has happened here, but I am sad to say the Lodge is slipping into utter disappointment. Went to eat dinner at The Boston Beanery on Thursday and, after being seated in a half-​empty restaurant in front of the kitchen (a/​k/​a worst table in the house) we asked to be moved to another 4-​top. The menu was a one-​page disappointment. After waiting a few minutes with no service we left. The lobby is now full of filthy furniture that is both too large for the space and too many pieces to make the place remotely comfortable. The gift shop junk is now everywhere. The whole place, once a quaint and charming respite, now looks like a bad WV stereotype. After a treacherous drive up to the park in a road that is in utter disrepair and questionable safety, a flea market/​snack bar was not what we were expecting. We dined at Jerry’s in town, instead. Wake up Tygart Lake! You are slowly killing our gem!

Just spent 3 relaxing, winter nights in one of their cabins. Well-​stocked with kitchen equipment and utensils, lots of firewood, relaxing furniture inside and out, and nice views and peace and quiet (December). Clean and everything in great working order!
If fireplace isn’t enough there’s also electric baseboard and gas burners too!
Don’t feel like cooking? There’s a newly-​opened Boston Beanery at the lodge about 4 miles down the road that offers pub food for lunch and dinner.
Convenient winter activities include hiking, deer-​watching, and visiting the Tygart Dam and visitor center nearby. The Civil War-​era Grafton National Cemetery is in nearby Grafton. Philippi (23 miles) is known for its covered bridge and being site of the first organized land battle of the Civil War.
One last note, this park is obviously geared for intensive watersport summer crowds when the water level allows the marina to operate full swing. But don’t discount the off-​season for quiet times in the forest.
NOTE: 2011 — 2012 is the first time this park is remaining open during the winter months as a trial run to prove the viability of round-​the-​year operation.