Opened in August 2023, Summersville Lake State Park is West Virginia’s newest state park. The park sits on the northern shore of the county’s largest lake – Summersville Lake.
Visitors can hike, rock climb, swim, fish, boat, and mountain bike. When I visited in July 2025, it looked like the park was still building out its trails and activities.
Pirates Cove Trail
Pirates Cove Trail is a moderate 0.7-mile trail marked with orange square blazes. It is part of West Virginia’s Mountaineer Mile Trails.
I began at the large gravel parking area off Highway 19. The trail started with an Almost Heaven swing followed by a gentle slope and multiple switchbacks. Though there were several turns, ample signage and blazes made sure I never felt lost.
I found eastern towhees, American robins, and northern cardinals in the trees.
As I got closer to the lake, the path narrowed. Climbers Trail splits off to the left – it leads to a metal stairway and provides access to the lake shore and rock-climbing area. Roped climbing is only accessible when water levels are down during late fall and winter. I stayed on Pirates Cove Trail.
Just before the main upper viewpoint for the cove, I could hear a waterfall near the trail. A short spur trail took me to the creek and next to the brink of the falls. I couldn’t see the bottom of the waterfall, but the cove’s blues and teals made it magical none-the-less.
As with all waterfalls, take care near the near the brink and even in the creek upstream as you can easily get injured or fall from the surrounding cliffs.
Then it was time for the key overlook for Pirates Cove! There is a large rock outcropping which gives excellent views of the cove and Summersville Lake. Because I was there on a summer weekend, there were lots of boats, paddleboards, and canoes.
From the overlook, the trail continues on a scramble downhill to the water.
Pops of color from berries and wildflowers along the trail made me smile – blackberries, bird’s-foot trefoil, Carolina horsenettle, common rose pink, crown vetch, daisies, and Virginia meadow-beauty.
The only downside is that it was an uphill climb back to the parking lot, even though it was only a slight incline most of the time.