JENNINGS RANDOLPH LAKE, West Virginia — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Jennings Randolph Lake announces the kickoff of the 2016 recreation season on Monday, March 28 at 8 a.m., when they open the Corps’ boat launch on the West Virginia shore. The launch is located alongside Howell Run, just off West Virginia State Route 46, three miles north of Elk Garden, W.Va.
The boat launch on the Maryland shore of Jennings Randolph Lake, managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, will also open March 28, 2016. The launch is on Mt. Zion Road off Maryland State Route 135 near the salt shed on Backbone Mountain.
There will be no charge to launch a boat at the Corps Howell Run Boat Launch. There is a $5.00 launch fee at the Maryland Boat Launch.
The Howell Run Picnic Area, Shaw Beach, West Virginia Overlook and Maryland Overlook will be open for day use beginning on Monday, March 28. The areas will close daily at 4 p.m. until May when the closing time will be extended to 8 p.m. for the day use areas. The Howell Run Boat Launch will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the season.
The Robert W. Craig Campground will open for the season on Saturday, May 1, 2016.
For more information, call the Corps park office at (304) 355-2346, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For information on the Maryland Park Service boat launch, call the Herrington Manor & Swallow Falls State Park at (301) 334-9180, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Opening of both ramps is weather dependent.
View more information on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Jennings Randolph Lake project by visiting their website: http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamsRecreation/JenningsRandolphLake.aspx. Project purposes include flood risk management, water quality, low flow augmentation, water supply and recreation.