Mountwood Park in West Virginia: Hiking, Biking, Camping, Picnicking and Fishing

Mountwood Park near Parkersburg, West Virginia, is a full service park centered around a man made lake. Mountwood Lake and angler Clyde E. Beckett gained fame in 1994 when the West Virginia state tiger musky record was caught at Mount wood (according to wvdnr.gov). Mountwood Park is primarily used by locals as a place to fish, hike, bike, and picnic but does offer a wide range of services and activities.

A variety of events is held in the park from Volcano Days to Civil War reenactments. Volcano Days celebrates the community of Volcano. Volcano was an oil town in the late 1800's until a fire destroyed most of it. Today Mountwood Park sits on the location where Volcano once stood. Other events held in the park include fishing tournaments and mountain bike events.

In addition to the previously mentioned tiger musky, Mountwood Lake also holds largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and enormous carp. Mountwood Park offers a handicap accessible fishing pier to the disabled. One draw back of Mountwood Lake is that it does not offer a lot of easily accessible fishing locations for the young or elderly. There are a few spots that are easy to access, but once they are full it is quite a hike to get to the water. Mountwood Lake does allow kids to fish from the boat docks. Mountwood Lake is stocked with trout in the spring by the WV DNR. My personal experience with trout from Mountwood has not been good, but many others reliably catch their limit (or so they say!). Mountwood Park does rent boats seasonally, swimming is not allowed in the lake.

Mountwood Park also offers overnight accommodations for visitors. A large campground is available with normal amenities for tent and RV Camping. Primitive camping sites are also available near the lake. Mountwood Park also rents a 'beach house' by the lake for a very reasonable rate. Another more rusitc cabin is also available for a low nightly rental.

Mountwood Parks also offers a disc golf course, numerous hiking and biking trails, a concession stand, numerous shelters that can be reserved, historic sites, horseshoes, basketball, softball field, and much more. Mountwood Park also has a shooting range near the lake.

Mountwood Park is located about 12 miles east of Parkersburg, WV, on both sides of Route 50. Heading east on Route 50, the lake is on the right and the campground is on the left. For last minute supplies, Reese's Country Store is located near the park. Reese's is just off of Route 50 before Mountwood Park on the left (if coming from Parkersburg). They have large visible signs on Route 50. Check out their displays of local and state wildlife, as well as the state record Tiger Musky.

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