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.