Tygart Lake Adds Sightseeing, Dinner Cruises to its On-the-Water Options

Morgantown Dominion Post
11 September 2013

GRAFTON — Tygart Lake State Park has several water options. The park has recently added sightseeing and dinner cruises for folks looking for a few hours on the lake during their visit.

Tygart Lake is West Virginia’s fourth-largest body of water with 1,750 acres of recreational surface.

“The lake is known for bass fishing and with unlimited horsepower for bass and other boats, weekends get busier with fishing and skiing,” said Park Supt. Brennon O’Sullivan. “With increasing numbers, we are seeing kayakers take advantage of mid-week days when the boats are not as predominate on the water.” Tygart Lake has a marina with boat rental options.

Through Sunday and beginning again May 15, the park offers an overnight package of sightseeing boat tour or tours with dinner.

Sightseeing boat

The sightseeing-only package includes two nights at the park lodge, two adult tickets for the boat tour, and a gift shop gift certificate. The sightseeing boat tour schedule is Monday-Thursday and Saturday at 2 p.m.; Friday after the Tygart Dam Tour, about 2:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 4 p.m. Passengers board the boat 30 minutes prior to departure.

Dinner boat

Another boat experience includes dinner. The Boston Beanery operates food service at Tygart Lake.

“The Beanery is simply a great place to eat and hang out,” Supt. O’Sullivan said. “The food and atmosphere are great.”

The boat service and tours are conducted by Tygart Lake Cruises.

“Together these two businesses have partnered with the lodge to create a very nice dinner cruise,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s an exciting new option for guests making Tygart Lake State Park a destination.”

The dinner boat cruise includes the same components as the sightseeing cruise, but adds dinner with a choice of four selections. Dinner cruises depart at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday. The boat boards 30 minutes prior to departure. The sightseeing cruise is aboard a 44-foot Burnscraft boat with indoor and top deck areas. The experience lasts about two hours. Guests should plan for a two-hour trip including d i n n e r.

O’Sullivan reminds visitors that this new service is not limited to overnight guests. “We welcome families from local communities to enjoy this relaxing new activity when they visit the park for the day,” O’Sullivan said.

Between the public sightseeing and dinner cruises, Tygart Lake Cruises accepts reservations from groups for private tours or dinner cruises. “This boat is perfect for business groups, family reunions, class reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties and more,” O’Sullivan said.

Tygart Lake State Park is near Grafton. The park features a 20-room lodge with all rooms overlooking the lake, the Boston Beanery Restaurant, Tygart Lake Marina, cabins, campground, nature programs and trails, picnic shelters and meeting facilities. The lodge offers Wi-Fi access in all rooms and is open year-round. To learn more about Tygart Lake State Park visit tygartlake.com or call 304-265-6144.