WESTON, W.Va. — Visitors to one of West Virginia’s premier resort destinations will soon have a new way to experience the scenic beauty of Stonewall Jackson Lake.
Stonewall Resort has announced the launch of the Mosaic Cruiser, a 40-passenger touring vessel that will begin offering guided lake excursions on June 15, adding another attraction to the growing list of recreational opportunities at the popular Lewis County resort.
The new lake tour experience offers guests panoramic views of Stonewall Jackson Lake while highlighting the area’s natural beauty, history, wildlife, and unique landscape.
Resort officials say the addition reflects the property’s continued investment in outdoor recreation and experiential tourism, a sector that has become increasingly important to West Virginia’s travel economy.
The Mosaic Cruiser will operate twice daily, with departures at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., weather permitting. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased directly through the resort.
According to resort officials, the new attraction is intended to offer both overnight guests and day visitors a relaxing way to explore one of West Virginia’s most scenic lakes.
Stonewall Resort General Manager Andre’ D’Amour said the new lake touring craft allows guests to immerse themselves even more deeply in the riparian environment while interacting with one another.
“The addition of the Mosaic Cruiser enhances the ways our guests can connect with the natural surroundings and with each other,” D’Amour said. “It’s more than just a lake tour: it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger, where each experience contributes to the story we’re building together at Stonewall Resort.”
A new signature attraction at Stonewall Resort
The vessel’s name carries symbolic meaning that aligns with the resort’s broader hospitality philosophy, D’Amour said.
Inspired by the concept of a mosaic, where individual pieces come together to create a larger work of art, the Mosaic Cruiser reflects the resort’s belief that every visitor contributes to the ongoing story of Stonewall Resort.
The name was chosen to reinforce the resort’s guest-centered message, “Every Stay Adds to the Story,” emphasizing the collective experiences that have helped establish Stonewall as one of West Virginia’s leading tourism destinations.
The cruiser is expected to become a signature feature of the summer season, offering comfortable seating and expansive views of the lake’s forested shoreline, secluded coves and rolling Appalachian hills.
In addition to daytime excursions, resort officials have announced plans for special themed cruises.
Among the first will be Taco Tuesdays on the Lake, an evening cruise that will allow guests to enjoy a scenic tour while dining on tacos, chips and salsa and sipping beverages as they travel across the lake’s tranquil waters.
The special cruises are expected to appeal to families, couples and groups seeking unique outdoor experiences in central West Virginia.
Stonewall Jackson Lake growing as major tourism asset
The launch of the Mosaic Cruiser highlights the ongoing evolution of Stonewall Resort and Stonewall Jackson Lake as major tourism drivers in Lewis County and the surrounding region.
Stonewall Jackson Lake covers about 2,650 acres and extends roughly 26 miles along the West Fork River. The reservoir has about 82 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by forested ridges and valleys characteristic of West Virginia’s Allegheny Plateau.
Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Stonewall Jackson Dam created the reservoir, which became operational in 1988 as part of a flood-control project designed to reduce downstream flooding in the West Fork watershed.
What began as a major infrastructure project ultimately transformed a largely rural section of central West Virginia into one of the state’s most important recreation destinations.
Today, the lake supports boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wildlife viewing and sightseeing, drawing visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic region.
The lake is also recognized as one of West Virginia’s premier warm-water fisheries. Anglers regularly pursue largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, muskellunge, catfish, bluegill and walleye in its waters.
From state park to premier resort destination
Stonewall Resort sits within Stonewall Resort State Park near Weston in Lewis County, occupying nearly 1,900 acres of public land and surrounded by thousands of additional acres of protected forest.
Named for Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who spent much of his youth in nearby Lewis County, the park has become one of the most successful tourism developments in the West Virginia state park system.
The property underwent a dramatic transformation in the late 1990s, when state officials partnered with private developers to create a destination resort on the lake.
Completed in 2002, the project was among the nation’s earliest large-scale public-private partnerships involving a state park resort. Approximately $65 million was invested in the development, resulting in a modern lakeside lodge, conference facilities, restaurants, a marina, and a championship golf course.
Today, Stonewall Resort offers more than 250 guest accommodations, including lodge rooms, lake houses, and cottages.
The expansive property also includes:
- A lakeside lodge overlooking Stonewall Jackson Lake
- A 25,000-square-foot conference and event center
- Multiple restaurants and dining venues
- A full-service marina
- Campgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities
- A spa and fitness center
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- The Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course
The award-winning golf course has become one of West Virginia’s premier golf destinations, attracting visitors from throughout the Appalachian region.
Expanding outdoor recreation opportunities
The addition of the Mosaic Cruiser reflects a broader trend in West Virginia tourism toward immersive outdoor experiences that connect visitors with the state’s natural resources.
Stonewall Resort already serves as a gateway to hiking trails, boating opportunities, and wildlife observation areas around Stonewall Jackson Lake.
The resort also borders the approximately 18,000-acre Stonewall Jackson Wildlife Management Area, where visitors can explore forests rich in white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, and numerous bird species.
Tourism officials have increasingly emphasized experiences that combine recreation, nature, and local culture, and the Mosaic Cruiser appears well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for such offerings.
For Lewis County, where tourism continues to play an increasingly important economic role, the new attraction represents another investment in the area’s visitor economy.
As the summer travel season begins across West Virginia, resort officials anticipate strong interest in the cruises from both overnight guests and day-trippers to Stonewall Jackson Lake.
Reservations and additional information are available through Stonewall Resort. For more information, call 304-269-7400.