Mountain Lake Campground, Summersville - July 2022

Sunshine, Sunburn, .. enjoying summer! It is the middle of summer, and it is time for another camping adventure!

This week we are headed out to Mountain Lake Campground on Summersville Lake in West Virginia! The photos we’ve seen of the lake look amazing..from clear blue/emerald water to the high walls, and cliffs. We are all so ready!

THURSDAY

10:00am we are on the road! 80s and Sunny! A little less than 3 hours today, not too bad!

12:45pm stop at Applebees in Summersville for lunch, the Mountain Lake campground is only a couple miles down the road!

2:30pm We are here!!! We are staying in section 4, lot #425. It was the only one opened when we booked it, it looked nice in the pics! Close to the lake!

Check in building, Camp grill, and Mini Golf:

Don't have a camper... they have unique cabins and yurts for you to enjoy!

We check-in and start on our way to our lot... umm... this place is like large as in miles large, sections are spread out.. so down the mountain side we go... and down a little further.. we are a long way from the pool/check-in, swim beach, and all the trail heads. The campground is all dirt road.. not the smoothest of roads.. a little rutted, but this is mountain camping.. we are loving it! Looking like we better rent a golf cart for a few of the days or we won't be getting around much!

We love the section we are in because all the lots are staggered, and each row is lower. You aren't directly behind another camper. There's plenty of yard space for the kids! It looks like a drop off in front of the camper, but there is a nice area for us to hang out before going over the bank!

We get the camper parked and call up to see about golf cart rental.. it is first come first serve and only a couple left for the weekend!..David and Hayden ride their ebikes up to get one before they are gone! (pretty sure they got the last one) If we all had ebikes, we wouldn't need the cart.. it is a nice area for eMTB's!

While they were off getting us a ride.. Luke, Lynlee, and I check out the section 4 playground.. 2 rows above our site.

Where's Luke!?

Surprise!! He's across the road gathering sticks for his fires!!

Everything is set up... it is hot today! The kids are ready to check out the pool! ... Load up the golf cart ...we are off to explore the campground and swim!

First, we cruise around sections 4 and 2, then across the road to 3 .. It is so spread out but not a bad thing.. Just check out the ammenities and pick the section closest to your preferances. We wanted lake access for the kids to play so our lot is perfect.. well lakefront would be perfect, but this is pretty close!

The pool is decent..We aren't fans of chain link fence so that is a bit of an eye sore.. They are older pools but clean. They were good for the kids to cool down and expend some energy!

Lynlee wasn't happy when the boys took off to the big pool without her.. however, she wouldn't wear her floaters so... she was fenced into the shallow pool..as you can see in the pic above.. she thinks she can climb the fence to escape! 😂 She didn't give up..she doesn't give in.. not even hours later .. talk about a strong willed child! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Maybe an hour at the pool and the boys are ready to go back to the camper.. Hayden wants to ride his bike.. Luke needs a fire.. ya know it's only 90 degrees right now, why not!? 🥵

Hayden’s eMTB keeps shutting off anytime he goes uphill... it will stay on while riding flat then the battery shuts off with any incline. David spent quite a bit of time trying to tinker with it, no luck.

Meanwhile, Luke has a nice HOT fire going for us!

We take a walk down to check out the lake.. there's a short path to take you around the boat docks to a nice shallow area for the kids to play. On our way we see a few deer..

and the views... I don't think there is a bad view around here... 😍

After all of that we are having a late supper, fish tacos.. took forever! Sauces to make, seasonings, cooking, chopping.. Why did I forget the hamburger 😩.. yes my orginal plan was ground beef tacos.. A LOT simpler for the evening! Oh well, we made do!

Luke is making his Smore‘s. He says I need a fork to "SEAR" the marshmallow off the stick! 😂 Maybe not sear it off the stick but I got ya!

Well it's been a day!! I think it's time to get showers and to bed, the next few days are full of walking, hiking, and who knows what else!

GOODNIGHT💤

---

FRIDAY

Good Morning!! ☀️It is in the 80s and Sunny! No time to waste on grilling this morning! Yogurt bowls for a quick breakfast, and throwing chicken in the crock pot for easy dinner tonight!

Hayden continues to complain about his bike shutting off, this is the perfect place for him to ride his bike.. but the mountains make it nearly inpossible to ride without assist. It is reallly bothering him, . if you've been following along, he just went 6 weeks without wheels, a lot of bike time to make up! David has been working on it..again.. He finds a bike shop in Fayettville.. closest Giant dealer is in Elkins.. 3 hours away! David calls them, staff member gave a few things to try.. hoping something works.... but it doesn't. There's no parts to go pick up, they would need ordered. So it is what it is this weekend.. we'll have to take it to a giant dealer when we get home.

11:30am Today's plan is to pump boats up with a hand pump, and carry them down to the lake.. it is a floating on the lake kinda day! We think the kids will have fun paddling around along the shoreline.

David carries the larger 300 and I carry the 200 with Lynlee walking beside me.. down over the mountain side in front of the camper. Through the small trail to the lake... put the boats in the water and load up! We have a backpack cooler with water and snacks.. all ready for a lake day!

This is NOT going as planned.. So Lynlee and I are in the 2 seater, and David is in the 3 seater with Hayden and Luke. Lynlee and I paddle out to attempt pictures before we go about our adventure.

David can’t paddle.. he's grumbling around because he can't move.. still sitting at the shoreline.. wanting the boys to help paddle.. Hayden refuses to help because Luke is in the way (Luke is in the middle). Hayden gets out of the boat and says he isn't getting back in!

Lynlee is now crying.. it is so hot in these boats 🥵… the sides are black and soaking up all the sunshine while we are sitting here waiting on these boys to figure out what they are doing... Lynlee wants dad..

So we switch it up,, Luke and I in the 2 seater and David, Lynlee, and Hayden in the 3 seater.. maybe this will be better..

20 minutes later we finally get settled in after looking like the Grizzwald's on fhe lake …. 😂 and we get pics that totally don't show the reality of the situation 😂

We paddle around the corner to find shade.. that wasn't an easy task, but we are getting better. We are close to the marina so that we are in a no wake zone, kids can get out of the boats to play..it is shallow and so clear! Like clearer than most beaches we've been to.

I am searching the lake on maps to see where we can paddle to... we are wanting to see some of the high walls we’ve heard about and seen advertised!

Ok let's try this again.. we can paddle around the docks of our campground then see how much further it is to Long Point (Looks beautiful in all the pics)

Well... Long Point is further than we thought.. not gonna make it on these boats! It would likely take all day or longer with our mph in these things! If you want to see Long Point from the water.. I suggest a boat with a motor 😂 we didn't spend time looking the location up prior.. it is advertised on the campgrounds site so we assumed you could see it from the campground!?

We’ll just paddle around to the other side of the little peninsula our campground is on and see if we can go towards the dam.

We make it back over to the campground, get out to pull our boats through a section of a few boats tied off to land.

We get back in to paddle... Lynlee wants in with me.. here we are back to how we started.. Lynlee and I in the 2 seater, the boys in the 3 seater.

We are borderline the end of the no wake zone.. here comes the boats and jet ski’s .. and the wake… yep we are definitly not moving with those wakes.. 2 strokes forward, 2 floats backward!

Now David has figured out how to make his move better .. he’s paddling on, and Lynlee and I over here floating into the tree branches .. paddling is doing nothing at the moment .. 😂 I am thinking we are likely someones entertainment for the day! A cold drink in a lounge chair watching this show!

We are on the edge of the lake and it is shallow all around.. Hayden gets out of their boat and walks over to save us from the tree, and now we're stuck on rocks.. Lynlee isn't taking a nap like I hoped. She's hating the life jacket.

I am just done now..the black side walls on the inside of the boat is too hot in the sun..Lynlee is miserable.. Not even paddling back where we came in.. We're climbing out up over the rocks!

I really wish I had a picture to show this rock wall we climbed up, but my phone was in my bag to keep from getting wet at this point 😂

David and Luke paddle back in too.. It is 2:00pm.. let’s go back to the camper to get the golf cart.. load them onto the roof and head back.. it’s time to chill a little.. and get lunch..

We made it back!

The kids are happy with Cookies and cream ice cream and Sugar cones from Aldi!! A lot cheaper than buying indivudual ice cream. Inflation isn't getting better anytime soon from what we can see .. so if we want to have trips we'll find ways to save!

YUM!!

10 minutes later.. what can we do, lets go ride bikes on trails… everyone wants to see Long point.. umm no we aren‘t going on bikes.. not everyone has a bike (everyone except MOM does.. still waiting on mine!!) Lynlee can take a nap then maybe 4-430 we can go hike the trail together..

Lynlee won’t sleep so we we decide on a family golf cart ride to the swim lake..it is pretty area but small compared to what we imagined. We like the lake better in our camping area.

There's a path along the beach where there are docks for boats. We stroll down the path around the bend.. Hayden challenges himself to rock skipping the largest flat rock he can pick up... no it didn't skip.. 😂

The views from here to! 😍

I can't believe how clear the water is for a lake.. I know all the reviews and articles claim the same.. but I've heard the same about other lakes and I didn't seem to think they were really clear... so clear I can see my feet clearly with water to my waste.

We walk back to our golf cart and decide to find section 1.. we haven't seen it yet..

Section 1 is down the road a jog from the check-in building. . Lynlee wants to play on a playground... there is one in every section so we will check this one out..

The playgrounds are awesome and look cool

to the kids... However, they weren't real functional for toddler age like 4 and under.. Luke was perfect for them!

Lynlee climbs out the front of the loader as another child is swinging on the tire swing.. Knocks her over (not the kids fault really, he didn't see her and she didn't see him, it's just not a great layout). Ok, Lynlee is going to get hurt here so we load up and out we are...

Drive across to the marina.. check it out.. on our way back out, the ranger stops up us.. no golf carts on Marina Road 😬.. ok sorry! didn’t know that.. thank you for just a warning!

Lynlee falls asleep on the way back.. it’s getting later; David and I think it would be better to wait until morning to hike the trail to Long Point.

David and Hayden take a bike ride to Lakeview trail.. get off the trail and end up riding a mile back on airport road (the paved main road into the campground/small airport).. Of coarse Hayden says his bike shut off a "million" times! 😅.. That's good he got a little more exercise that way! They rode at least 5 miles from our camper to the trail and back!

Meanwhile Luke and I played a wooden toss game.. mom has 115, Luke 55.. he’s done playing! I tried to help him out.. he was getting better when he gave up... he was more worried about setting up his fire for later!

7:45pm .. still working on Hayden’s bike..

Lynlee girl loves fresh pineapple.. cut it up and left the bowl in too close of reach for this girl... .. and there it is on the ground... "I'll pick it up mommy!" 🥰

who wants pineapple now!?!

Lets go to the other side of the peninsula to check out the trail and fishing. We walk down the opposite steep trail across to the lake. Hayden is on a fishing mission... Luke brought his hatchet to look for firewood.. Lynlee and I are here to relax lakeside!

Lynlee is exploring.. trees, water.. she loves the water!

Hayden is frustrated.. all the boats are coming in for the evening making too many wakes.

Luke.. using his hatchet to chop wood.. and coaxing his dad and brother into helping him.

Hayden didn't catch any fish.. It's getting dark so we help Luke gather his firewood and head back to the camper. Time to get a fire going!

We put together S'more cones.. ice cream cones, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips.. wrap in foil. David and Luke are cooking the cones.. Hayden’s is good .. Luke's is burnt ..

Luke decides he'll just cook a regular s'more for himself! And then they are all ready for showers and a good nights rest!

GOODNIGHT💤

---

SATURDAY

Good Morning!! Another great day of sunshine and 80s!! Nice filling breakfast skillet with turkey Kielbalsa.

Pack the backpack cooler with water and drink yogurts for the kids. I have a backpack full of snacks.. diapers, wipes, and of coarse a few emergency things!

We are off on the golf cart.. about a mile back to the entrance and then another mile down to the trail head for Longpoint trail!

Park and ready to hike 1.75 miles there and 1.75 miles back!

Pretty easy trail to walk.. nice and wide for the first 1.25 miles.. there are a few hills with tree roots and large rocks. Notice..my kids are in bright clothes so when they wander off path.. that is inevitable .. I can easily spot them!

Lynlee girl has crocs.. mom didn’t bring her tennis shoes.. 😒.. wants to walk on her own!

She is doing great.... and then the roots start to get her.. I think she's on fall number 5 or 6 now.. BUT she continues to insist on walking!

A beautiful trail to hike.. lots of rocks!

There’s the 1 mile marker! 0.75

to go!

There’s the 1.5 mile marker! Almost there!! Check out the neat line up of rock statues.

The last 0.25 miles is a tighter trail lined with pretty greenery!

and then.. the trail ends..❤️

It took us about an hour to walk the trail..that is with Lynlee walking 3/4 of it at her pace!

There is multuple little trails to take to explore the top of long point.

We spent about 30 minutes out around the cliff.. that was enough for me with the kids!! ..

The boys had to explore one of the giant cracks if the cliff 😳😬...Luke looked down into the crack and spotted ashes from a fire built on one of the rocks.. of coarse we have to check that out!

Started back the trail to the 1.5 mile marker where we stopped for our snack and hydration.

Lynlee is now over the walk.. David and I take turns carrying her back.. she’s been a trooper! BUT when did she get so heavy!? 😅.. David passes the cooler off to Hayden so he can put Lynlee on his shoulders…

Hayden is complaining his feet hurt.. how

much further.. I’m surprised as he usually don't ware out... don't let your mom show you up!!

We made it back in less than an hour.. I’d guess 40-45 mins... we are all ready to jump on the golf cart and ride!! Even Lynlee points her finger at the cart as she runs.. “We made it!” She yells after hearing the boys say it.

2:00PM We are ready to head back to the camper to chill for a bit.. David and kids think they’ve earned another ice cream cone.. I've been doing great on my clean eating/exercising lifestyle... after all that hiking I decided it's a good cheat day! A microwavd mug GF cookie! 😋

4:00PM .. Load boats up on the golf cart to go float and let the boys swim..

I carry 2 seater over.. gets a hole in it.. I must of sat it down on a stick or something 😬.. David carries it back to the camper.. patches and comes back.. We float and swim around until 6:00pm ..this is much more relaxing than our first attempt with these boats!

Hayden was inspired to build his own rock statue.. he thinks it will still be here someday when we return.. We'll see, I'm sure we'll be back!

Boys want pizza from the camp store.. sounds good to me.. they won't eat what I'm cooking for dinner anyway! Call to order .. the boys take the golf cart to go get it while I start our dinner.

Ever tried sweet potatoes like fried potatoes on the blackstone!? YUM!

Melt a little Butter and add sliced potatoes on to cook!.. flip them around until they are all softened...once done sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with honey 😋.. Meanwhile throw a side salad together and grill the steaks!

Luke has us a fire going.. Hayden and David are passing the football!..

Steak dinner by the fire .. ❤️SummerNights!

.. yes they both ended up with Smore’s again..no surprise here! Time to get rest for some adventures out on the road tomorrow!

GOODNIGHT 💤

---

SUNDAY

Good Morning!!! How awesome that we are getting yet another day in the 80s! They are calling for strong storms this afternoon/evening, but looking like we can get our plans in before then!

Left over kielbalsa breakfast, yogurt bowls, and peanut butter balls for a quick breakfast today!

Prepare for storms later.. Pack up the bikes, chairs and all outdoor stuff, awnings in, and we are ready to go!

Pack a few snacks and water. Today we are off to explore the New River Gorge area!

First stop is the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to see where to begin and what we want to do.. no plans in advance just knew we were stopping by!

We took a walk out a concrete sidewalk, down a deck built path with many flights of wooden stairs...

and finally ... we make it to the bottom..

and then looking down the Gorge 🥰

Read some of the information they have posted on the history of the bridge being built... and then it is time to head back up! ...

Now we are Downloading the app we got from the visited center to do the Fayette Station Audio Road Tour! This is a driving tour that you travel the 100 year old hairpin winding one way road down the gorge, across, and back up the other side into Fayetteville. There is a stop at the bottom to get out and look, rafting and other things. The drive is beautiful.. all the rocks hanging over the road.. rock walls.. bridge and railroad views.. and it's FREE!

driving under the bridge... it feels even bigger from down here!

driving across then Gorge to the other side to go back up...

We didn't stop at the bottom of the gorge.. heading back up the other side is just as pretty.. listening to the tour as you go is helpful to understand things you wouldn't pick out on your own. A lot of interesting history on this little winding road!

Once you finish your tour you are in Fayetteville, West Virginia! It's a small vibrant town with unique shops. My opinion of people around is very friendly and adventerous!

Mom says it's time to try a new coffee shop! Looks like there is 2 here close by..The Wood Iron Eatery looks neat!! Inside an old house.. let's try it!

Well google says it's open, but it is not. They are closed and under construction. There is a construction crew working on a new paver patio and sidewalk on the back and side if the house.

Walk back up the street.. not very far just a few minute walk we find the Range Finder Coffee, small coffee bar inside of Waterstone Outdoors. Just in time before they close for the day!

Coffee is delish! Now to sip on it as we take a drive to see a few other sites in the area. I have a plan to see a few waterfalls.. One surprise that the kids are gonna love!!

Drive about 40 minutes to see the Gauley Bridge and Kanawha Falls! Gauley Bridge is just a normal looking bridge to us.. it is where the Gauley River meets the New River and before the Kanawha Falls. There is a gravel/dirt parking lot just past the falls to park and walk around a little to explore.

Quite a few kyakers take off on this side of the falls! Water is rushing through here pretty swiftly.. beautiful but not a place for our littles to play around! The sound of the water roaring would be a perfect place for a picnic, reading a book, or just sit and relax. My kids have had enough sitting today.. So we move on to the next stop..

The best part of the day for the kiddos is the surprise of Cathedral Falls! The Falls I knew they'd love to explore.. why?!? Because they can get in it and all around it.. much better than the places we have been where you can see but not touch or play!

Even Lynlee girl can explore.. Boys: ok maybe the 40 minute ride was worth it!!

NOW Be careful!! There were many water snakes hanging out under rocks near the base of the falls! They blend right in so unless they were slivering through the water they were difficult to see!

There is not a clear walking path to get the the falls.. this is natural so you climb rocks and logs to get to the falls.

We hang out and let the kids play for a while.. until we all realize we are hungry.. we had snacks packed in the truck for the ride but breakfast is wearing off!

Here is a map with our stops # in order around the New River today! There is many more areas to explore around the New River, and we plan to return to explore more someday soon! But this is enough for today as storms are moving in!.. We head back towards Summerville Lake...

A beautiful scenic drive back along the New River, mountain views.. our happy place!

... Driving along... what is that place!? we must check it out!!

... The Mystery Hole! ... what is here?? So it is a guided tour of mysterious things.. It looks awesome! We didn't get to do it today because Lynlee isn't 3...so YES once we can all do this we will be back go check it out!! We did walk around the gift shop where there is random souveniers. Be sure to click on Mystery Hole above that is linked to their website .. check to see if you should try it!!

Ok we are all getting the hangry going.. Boys are mad because they want to do the tour.. I want to, but only 3 of us can go. Today I'm not up for waiting 1-2 hours while they do this! 9 times out of 10 I wait.. hangry mom says not today!

What is for dinner.. Mom isn't cooking tonight.. ohh there is Long Point Bar & Grill! Across the road there is a scenic viewing area where you can see Long Point!

BUT first things first... 4:30pm we arrive at Long Point Bar & Grill 😋.. we are eating first!

Staff were very friendly and food was yum! Would definitely recommend!

Well thankfully the rain has held off!.. We cross the road to Long Point overlook 😍 I can't tell you enough that pictures do no justice to seeing this lake in person!

Long point is out there with water surrounding it, way higher than it looks here! There is the cliff we hiked out to yesterday!

The boys find another trail over to the side of the scenic viewing area... let's see where this goes!...

😍 More cliffs and rocks... more anxiety for mom yet today! The front of this drops off pretty steeply down to the lake! Yes, I love to see the natural rocks and enjoy nature, but at the same time these boys are just too curious for me... I need them to tie themselves off to trees or something 😅

Ok... one more stop.. we had looked up other campgrounds in the area and want to drive through to see what this one is like for a future trip!...

A few miles down the road is Battle Rum Campground.. let's check it out!

OK I'm positive I took a few photos here as I was driving around... but I am not finding them.. 😔

Battle Run Campground is very nice.. but the lots are closer together.. it is all flat.. playgrounds, swim areas are all closer together.. looks well maintained and clean.. would be great for someone that doesn't want all the mountain terrain camping like we have at Mountain Lake.

6:30pm We made it back to the campground! .. It isn't raining yet so Luke is getting one last fire built!!!

Sis is riding her bike..

Ice cream cones for dessert.. just enjoying the evening by the fire and a short hike down the mountain to the lake...

8:00pm.. the rain comes.. doesn’t put the fire out! Just a short shower!

Hayden and Luke go back outside, keeping the fire going a little longer!

9:00pm.. the next storm comes in and the rain keeps going.. looking like the rain is setting in the for the night!!

Time for showers and goodnight! 💤

---

MONDAY

Good Morning! It is warm and sunny for now.. but there is high chances of rain after 11:00am. We packed up most of our bikes, swim gear, and all last night so today would be an easy pick up and go!

I am making us breakfast before we head out… today is Almond Flour Pancakes and Sausage patties! Yum! 😋

Click for recipe: Almond Flour Pancakes

After breakfast we finish getting ready for the day, make sure the inside of the camper is ready for the rough road out!

I’m going to sit back and take in those undeveloped mountain views for the first hour of our drive home! 😍

That’s all folks! Summersville Lake was a beautiful trip.. I highly recommend checking out Summersville Lake if you haven’t already! Pictures don’t do it justice.. I would put this lake in my top 5 camping getaways for sure! You won’t be disappointed!! ❤️

Thanks for Reading!!❤️

Disclaimer: My full throttle blogs are for entertainment purposes only. These are my families stories to share for fun, and our opinions only. I am not giving professional advise or recommendations. Thank you for reading!