PAX, W.Va. — Millions of travelers visit the New River Gorge each year, but relatively few discover nearby Plum Orchard Lake, a quiet mountain retreat where anglers, paddlers and campers trade crowds for calm water and forested shorelines. Now, more than $1.2 million in improvements is making one of southern West Virginia’s hidden outdoor destinations even easier to explore.
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources has completed a series of infrastructure upgrades at Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area designed to improve public access while preserving the character of the 202-acre lake.
Visitors will find new courtesy docks at the primary boat launch, the dam and the lake’s upper end, making it easier to launch and retrieve boats. The project also included a resurfaced accessible fishing pier, shoreline stabilization to reduce erosion, improved road drainage, upgraded parking lot lighting and new signs throughout the wildlife management area.
A quieter side of the New River Gorge
Just a short drive from some of the New River Gorge’s busiest hiking trails and whitewater outfitters, Plum Orchard Lake offers an entirely different outdoor experience. Instead of rapids and overlooks, visitors will find quiet coves, wooded shorelines and still water well suited for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
Surrounded by more than 3,000 acres of protected forest, the wildlife management area provides habitat for deer, black bear, wild turkey, waterfowl and countless songbirds. It’s the kind of place where mist often lingers over the water on summer mornings, and the loudest sounds come from kingfishers, frogs and the occasional splash of a feeding fish.
Improvements make Plum Orchard Lake easier to explore
The new courtesy docks simplify boat launching, while the resurfaced accessible fishing pier improves access for anglers of all abilities. Better lighting, drainage, and updated signage should also make the area easier to navigate for first-time visitors.
The project included construction of a new $1.16 million wildlife management headquarters, which will serve as the operational center for the Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Brett McMillion, director of the division, said the improvements were necessary for good stewardship but are also about the growth of the region.
“These upgrades reflect our commitment to being good stewards of West Virginia’s natural resources while ensuring that our facilities meet the expectations of our hunters and anglers,” McMillion said. “Plum Orchard Lake is a vital asset for Fayette County, and by investing in this infrastructure, we are ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy this area for years to come.”
Fishing, paddling, and camping in southern West Virginia
Created in 1962 through a state conservation program that employed out-of-work coal miners to build recreational projects, Plum Orchard Lake has quietly become one of southern West Virginia’s favorite destinations for largemouth bass fishing and flat-water paddling.
Today, anglers come in search of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish, while paddlers explore the lake’s wooded shoreline at a slower pace than on the nearby New River.
Beyond fishing, Plum Orchard Lake has become a favorite destination for visitors looking to slow down and experience a quieter corner of southern West Virginia. Its calm waters make it well suited for paddleboards, canoes and kayaks, while the surrounding forest offers opportunities to watch for herons, ospreys, deer and other wildlife throughout the year.
During summer, patches of white water lilies bloom along portions of the shoreline, adding to the lake’s secluded character. For travelers exploring the New River Gorge, the lake provides an easy half-day escape from the region’s busiest attractions and a chance to discover another side of Appalachia.
Primitive camping is available within the wildlife management area, and additional public cabins and campsites can be found at nearby Babcock State Park and Little Beaver State Park as well as in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Located near Pax, just off Interstate 77, Plum Orchard Lake is about 20 minutes from Beckley and within easy driving distance of many of the New River Gorge’s best-known attractions, making it an easy addition to a weekend exploring one of Appalachia’s premier outdoor destinations.