Lakes for swimming in Parkersburg? (Cheat Lake, Ripley: rentals, camp, beach)

[Leslie Wiebe]

Am coming to explore the area for a possible relocation. Are there any areas that offer clean lakes for swimming and bathing? Or maybe even beaches? Thanks.

[Two-Rivers]

When I was a teen, we usually drove to Forked Run State Park lake in Ohio just below Reedsville, or Stroud's Run lake at Athens, Ohio. There used to be a swimming area at Mountwood Park lake east of Parkersburg, but as far as I know, it's been closed to swimmers.

If you want to challenge your immune system, there's always the Ohio River or Little Kanawha River with access to sandy beaches here and there. Just kidding about the immune system really, we noticed no problems. My kids grew up swimming in the Ohio, we had the boat out almost daily, the beach along Blennerhassett Island was our favorite swim and camp spot. And there's no shortage of other islands to choose from.

[David Kennedy]

Check out Cedar Lakes Resort at Ripley...It's nice... I've been there to conferences..swimming? I'd never do it in a pond or lake anywhere...

rivers? that's another thing, particularly in the eastern mountains.

I expect health regs require a swimming pool.

Many of our water facilities have boat rentals..I know Cheat Lake does that...rent a party barge for the day and do your own exploring..