Facilities Available at Jennings Randolph Lake

Howell Run Picnic Area
The picnic area is nestled into the rugged hillside and provides the picnicker with a beautiful view of the lake. In addition, a one mile down and back lakeside trail provides the visitor a means to walk off that large picnic lunch.

The Howell Run Picnic Area has 26 picnic tables, 13 grills, two covered pavilions, a comfort facility with flush toilets, potable water, playground equipment, volleyball court, and two horseshoe pits for our visitors' enjoyment.

The two covered pavilions each accommodate approximately 50 guests and are equipped with large, group-size grills. The shelters are available for reservations for $50.00/day or can be used on a first-come, first-saved basis. Contact a member of the ranger staff for reservations or call the administration office at (304) 355-2346 during the hours of 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Howell Run Boat Launch

The Howell Run Boat Launch (located off WV State Route 46) consists of a wide two-lane concrete ramp, with a floating dock for temporary loading and unloading of boats. The large paved parking area insures plenty of parking spaces and a comfort facility is available for the boater's convenience.

Motorboats, sailboats, and other watercraft frequent the lake with water skiing and fishing being the most popular pastime. A vault toilet comfort station is available at the launch facility. Both the comfort station and the launch ramp are lighted at night.

A $3.00 day use fee is charged for launching trailered boats; however, annual passes are available for $30.00. The annual pass will be valid for 12 months from the date of sale. (Duplicate passes will no longer be sold.)

There is no launching fee for registered campers and Golden Age/Golden Access cardholders are entitled to a 50 percent discount towards the boat launch fee.

Robert W. Craig Campground
Our campground is hosted by four full time park attendants that are dedicated to make your stay with us at the Robert W. Craig Campground as enjoyable as possible. This family oriented campground is spaciously located on the hills above the lake.

The campground has 82 campsites, of which 70 have electrical services. The facility has hot showers, water hydrants every third or fourth site, and flush toilets at the washhouse and in the back loop comfort station.

The campground also features a playground for children, campground store, horseshoe pits, and an amphitheater for evening programs presented by the ranger staff on Saturday nights.

A large group picnic shelter with electricity, potable water, a full basketball court and horseshoe pits is also available.The ranger staff as well as the campground hosts will be happy to register any fish caught for our "Catch of the Month" contest.

In addition, the "High Timber" and "Sunset" trails are provided for your hiking enjoyment. The "High Timber Trail" is a 3/4 mile tree identification trail while the Sunset Trail offers the hiker a panoramic view of the back of the dam and breathtaking sunsets.

Maryland Boat Launch
The Maryland Boat Launch is on Mt. Zion Road off Maryland state route 135 on Backbone Mountain. The launch includes a thirty-foot wide, 600-foot long concrete boat ramp with a floating pier system. The large paved parking area can accommodate fifty cars and trailers and a comfort facility is available for the boater's convenience.

Motorboats, sailboats, and other watercraft frequent the lake with water skiing and fishing being the most popular pastime. Both the comfort station and the launch ramp are lighted at night. The Maryland service charge will be $5.00 for launching a boat.

Shaw Beach
The Shaw Beach offers a place to cool off on a hot summer day, sand on your feet, a sunny grassy area for relaxing with your favorite book or enjoy the view of the lake. The facility includes a forty-car parking lot, two hundred-foot swim beach, restroom/changing building, playground equipment, water fountains, foot wash station, information bulletin board, and picnic tables.

The Corps does not provide lifeguards but does provide safety throw rings each day the beach is open. Beach rules and regulations are posted on the bulletin board. The area is generally open from the week before Memorial Day through the week after Labor Day.

Reservation Information

National Rservations Systems LogoThe Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service have entered into a ten year contract with Reserve America, a company that manages campsite reservations for the states of New York and California under their National Recreation Reservation System. Campers may call the National Recreation Reservation System, (NRRS), at 1-877-444-6777 or go online at www.Recreation.gov to reserve sites.

Campers will be able to make reservations as much as 240 days in advance for up to 14 consecutive nights or a maximum of 30 days in one year at the same campsite. A person may make as many as four reservations at time.

Although many sites are available for reservations, some sites will still be on a first come-first served basis.Full payment is due in advance and may be by credit card, money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted. There is no additional charge to the camper to make a reservation vs. registering on a first come - first served basis.

There is a charge for additional actions such as changing dates, campsites or cancellations.Visit the www.Recreation.gov to get general information about NRRS or to reserve your campsite among the 58,000+ in inventory.Make your Fourth of July reservations now and guarantee the site you want.

Robert W. Craig 2009 Campground Season
Robert W. Craig Campground Opens Friday, May 1, 2009
Robert W. Craig Campground Closes Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Electric sites $22.00/night
Non-electric sites $18.00/night