Natural swimming hole
Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake
Lake · West Virginia
About this swimming hole
Shaw Beach is the designated 200-foot swim beach on Jennings Randolph Lake, a 952-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the North Branch Potomac River straddling the Maryland-West Virginia line, about 5 miles north of Elk Garden. Beach facilities include restrooms, change houses, a foot wash station, a playground and picnic areas on a grassy shore. The Corps scheduled Shaw Beach to open May 1, 2026 for the season; the separate West Virginia Overlook was closed for the 2026 season due to construction.
Good to know
| Water type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Best season | May-September |
| Fees | Unknown |
| Reservations required | No |
| Hours | Seasonal day-use hours; Shaw Beach scheduled to open May 1, 2026 per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Parking | Shaw Beach parking, accessed from the West Virginia shore recreation areas off WV Route 46 north of Elk Garden |
| Amenities | restrooms, picnic tables |
| County | Mineral County |
| Nearest town | Elk Garden |
| Safety notes | Swim only in the designated Shaw Beach area; the Corps notes the swim area closes when low lake levels leave the beach without water and that there is a steep drop-off beyond the designated buoys |
Map
Official information
Official park / agency page ↗ — check current conditions, fees, and reservations here before you go.
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake?
Yes — Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake is listed as a natural swimming spot in West Virginia. Heads-up: Swim only in the designated Shaw Beach area; the Corps notes the swim area closes when low lake levels leave the beach without water and that there is a steep drop-off beyond the designated buoys. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake require reservations?
No reservations are required at Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake based on current information — but verify before you go.
Is there a fee to visit Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake?
Reported fee info: Unknown. Fees can change — confirm with the official link.
When is the best time to visit Shaw Beach - Jennings Randolph Lake?
The best season is typically May-September.