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Tygart Lake, West Virginia, USA

The wilderness song of Tygart Lake calls to fishing enthusiasts, boaters, campers, hikers, writers and artisans. Located near the beautiful Appalachian town of Grafton, West Virginia, the lake’s recreational offerings attract visitors from the Mountain State as well as from the surrounding states of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Tygart Lake was a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project designed to prevent flooding along the Tygart River…
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    • All About Tygart Lake, WV

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - West Virginia - Mountaineer Country, WV -

    The wilderness song of Tygart Lake calls to fishing enthusiasts, boaters, campers, hikers, writers and artisans. Located near the beautiful Appalachian town of Grafton, West Virginia, the lake’s recreational offerings attract visitors from the Mountain State as well as from the surrounding states of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

    Tygart Lake was a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project designed to prevent flooding along the Tygart River Valley and the Monongahela and upper Ohio Rivers. Completion of the Tygart Dam in 1938 created a ten-mile long lake covering 1,750 acres with 31 shoreline miles. The lake’s summer pool elevation is 1,094 feet above sea level. The Corps lowers the water level in the fall to a winter pool elevation of 1,030 feet, so that the reservoir can collect snow melt and spring rains without flooding downstream. Water releases from Tygart Lake also help to meet commercial navigation needs on the Monongahela and upper Ohio Rivers.

    Although built for flood control and navigation, today Tygart Lake is a recreational mecca in northern West Virginia. The lake is surrounded by Tygart Lake State Park, which is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The park offers camping, pontoon and fishing boat rentals at the marina, picnic areas, five hiking trails ranging from 1/2 mile to 2 miles, and free guided nature tours. The hiking trails are lush with dogwood and rhododendron during the spring. The guided tours are by master naturalists who provide the history of the Appalachian Mountain woods and its inhabitants. With special tours for the Tygart Lake area conveniently scheduled from spring through summer, this special treat should not be missed.

    Tygart Lake is an angler’s delight. The lake’s deep waters are alive with a variety of fish. It is a popular choice for bass fishing (largemouth and smallmouth) as well as walleye, crappie, perch, and channel catfish. Trophy sized muskie measuring a full 50 inches are being caught with increasing frequency and excitement in the area. Golden trout and rainbow trout are also a draw to the lake’s sparkling waters, stocked at the Tygart Dam.

    Tygart Lake accommodations range from campsites to cabins to a lakeside lodge. The Tygart Lake State Park Campground is open from mid-April through October, offering both electric sites and standard sites. Modern vacation cottages feature fireplaces, electric and propane heat, modern kitchens and baths, and are completely furnished for housekeeping with cooking utensils, dishes, linens, towels and blankets. The lodge, perched on a promontory overlooking the lake, offers rooms with all modern amenities.

    Additionally, visitors can enjoy reminiscing about their peaceful stays and the scenic beauty of the state park as there is opportunity to choose a three day workshop to record those memories in outdoor painting, photography, or women’s writing. From spring into autumn, writers, painters, and camera buffs may take advantage of three days of instruction available at Tygart Lake. Inspired by horizon sunsets, pine covered paths, and cool blue waters, beginners and masters can hone their skills.

    Pontoon boats and fishing boats can be rented hourly or weekly for inspiration or sport. Water skiing and scuba diving abound. Kayaking and whitewater sports are available nearby on the Tygart River.

    Off-water adventures also await visitors to Tygart Lake. Family friendly and budget conscious, visits to the nearby Philippi Covered Bridge and Museum provide interest for history buffs as well as strolling through Grafton National Cemetery, burial grounds for Civil War soldiers. Pricketts Fort and New Fort Salem are also nearby attractions. And for avid golfers, Tygart Lake State Park has partnered with two nearby golf courses. With all that Tygart Lake and surrounding area have to offer, many visitors choose to return each year for that annual treat.

    Nearby Attractions

    Tygart River
    Audra State Park
    Valley Falls State Park
    Pricketts Fort
    Fort New Salem
    Grafton National Cemetery
    International Mother’s Day Shrine
    Anna Jarvis House
    West Virginia Northern Rail Excursions
    Jackson’s Mill

    Things to Do at Tygart Lake

    These are some activities in the Tygart Lake, WV area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Scuba Diving
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • State Park
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Tygart Lake?

    Tygart Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Golden Trout
    • Muskellunge
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Trout
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Tygart Lake

    If you’re considering a Tygart Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Tygart Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Tygart Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Tygart Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 1,750 acres

    Shoreline Length: 31 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,094 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,010 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,167 feet

    Average Depth: 63 feet

    Maximum Depth: 134 feet

    Water Volume: 109,600 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1938

    Drainage Area: 1,184 sq. miles

    Tygart Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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