A practical day trip from Stonewall Resort — where to go and how
From Stonewall Resort, plan a practical day trip that keeps you mostly on-site: start with a morning at the marina and a lakeside hike, have lunch at Stillwaters, then choose an afternoon spa treatment or a round on the Arnold Palmer Signature Palmer Course. If you want to drive out, short cultural stops like WVU Jackson's Mill or the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum are both about a 15–30 minute drive depending on destination.
In this guide
Plan your timing and arrival
Stonewall Resort’s address is 940 Resort Drive, Roanoke, WV 26447. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is before 11:00 AM; confirm any variations with the front desk when you arrive.
If you’re staying overnight, consider booking a room type that fits how you want to end the day: Room, Lake View; Room, with Sofa bed, Lake View; Junior Suite; Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Lake View Room; or Presidential Suite. All lodge and cottage rooms include high-speed internet.
- Park Enhancement Fee listed on the resort site covers Wi‑Fi, pool and fitness access and state park admission — verify the current amount at booking.
- The resort offers on-site shuttle service within the property; arrange with the front desk if you need transport between the lodge, cottages and marina.
- If arriving by air, the nearest airport is North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB), roughly a 30–40 minute drive.
| Item | Practical note |
|---|---|
| Check-in / check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM / Check-out before 11:00 AM |
| Parking & Wi‑Fi | Included via Park Enhancement Fee (confirm amount) |
| On-site shuttle | Available within resort grounds; request at front desk |
Morning: marina, boat rides and quick fishing
Start your day at the resort’s marina on Stonewall Jackson Lake. The marina rents pontoons, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and a variety of small watercraft; fishing is common on the lake (muskellunge, bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish).
If you prefer a guided option, the resort operates a larger cruise boat for lake tours that departs from the resort dock; check availability and reservations at the front desk or marina desk.
- Boat rentals: pontoons, CraigCats, kayaks, canoes, SUPs and paddleboats (availability varies seasonally).
- Fishing: the lake is known for muskie, bass and other freshwater species — basic fishing equipment is included with the Park Enhancement Fee per resort information.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket for breezy mornings on the water.
| Activity | Why do it now |
|---|---|
| Paddle or kayak | Calmer water and cooler air for paddling |
| Pontoon cruise | Scenic overview of the lake and shoreline |
| Shoreline fishing | Good light and active fish early in the day |
Midday: lakeside trails and lunch at Stillwaters
After the marina, use the resort’s trail access. The Lakeside Nature Trail is an easy 3.2-mile loop from the lodge to Carrion Bay; the Overlook Trail is an easy 1.1-mile option with lake views. Trails begin on resort grounds and are suitable for walking or mountain biking.
For lunch, Stillwaters serves Appalachian-American dishes and operates both buffet and a la carte service. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the resort dining phone.
- Lakeside Nature Trail: approx. 3.2 miles, easy loop to Carrion Bay.
- Overlook Trail: about 1.1 miles, easy with lake views.
- Stillwaters hours (as listed by the resort): breakfast 7:00–11:00 AM, lunch 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, dinner 5:00–9:00 PM; call 304-269-8880 to reserve.
| Option | Good for |
|---|---|
| Short hike (Overlook Trail) | Quick lake view, 30–45 minutes |
| Lakeside Nature Trail | Longer walk, wildlife and shoreline views |
| Stillwaters lunch | Sit-down meal without leaving the resort |
Afternoon: choose golf, spa or a short cultural drive
Stay on property and play a round on the Palmer Course—the Arnold Palmer Signature 18-hole course includes a driving range and teaching facility. Tee times and rental clubs should be arranged through the golf pro shop.
If you prefer relaxation, Mountain Laurel Spa offers massages, body treatments, facials and nail services. Spa hours per the resort directory are Tuesday–Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; call 304-269-8881 to reserve appointments.
- Golf: Arnold Palmer Signature Course on-site; check pro shop for tee times and rentals.
- Spa: Mountain Laurel Spa open Tue–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 9am–3pm (closed Monday).
- Alternate short drives (approx. 15–30 minutes): WVU Jackson's Mill (boyhood home of Stonewall Jackson) and Lambert's Vintage Winery are both local options mentioned by the resort.
| Activity | Booking / timing |
|---|---|
| Golf | Reserve tee time at the pro shop |
| Spa treatment | Call Mountain Laurel Spa: 304-269-8881 |
| Local cultural stop | Plan 15–30 minute drive each way |
Late afternoon and sunset: porch time and photo spots
Return to the lodge or your cottage for a lakeside porch or deck view—cottages and many lodge rooms look onto Stonewall Jackson Lake. The resort grounds and Carrion Bay Lawn provide accessible lake-facing spots for late-afternoon light and sunset photos.
If you’re staying in a Cottage or a Lake View room, plan to use the deck or balcony for sunset viewing. The Park’s trails and shoreline near the resort create easy short walks if you want to stretch your legs before dinner.
- Good sunset vantage points: lodge terrace, Carrion Bay Lawn, cottage decks.
- Many accommodation types provide lake views; if a private deck matters, consider Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Lake View Room or Room, with Sofa bed, Lake View.
- Respect posted rules around docks and marina areas after dusk.
| Spot | Why go |
|---|---|
| Lodge terrace | Convenient and close to restaurants |
| Carrion Bay Lawn | Private peninsula lawn—great for photos |
| Cottage deck | Private view from your accommodation |
Evening dining and wrapping up the day
For dinner, Stillwaters serves Appalachian-American dinner between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM; TJ Muskies Bar & Grill offers casual bar fare and craft cocktails (food served until 9:00 PM Sun–Thu and until 10:00 PM Fri–Sat). Lightburn's is listed as seasonal or special-events-only, so check its current status before planning to dine there.
In-room dining is available daily using TJ Muskies and Stillwaters menus: 7:00 AM–9:00 PM Sunday–Thursday and 7:00 AM–10:00 PM Friday–Saturday, with a late-night menu on weekends. Confirm reservation recommendations with the restaurant phone if you want a specific table or time.
- Stillwaters: buffet and a la carte; reservations recommended (304-269-8880).
- TJ Muskies Bar & Grill: lounge and fireplace seating; later hours on weekends for casual bites and drinks.
- If you’re departing late, remember standard check-out is before 11:00 AM; late check-out may be available subject to availability and fees.
| Restaurant | Typical hours (resort directory) |
|---|---|
| Stillwaters | Breakfast 7–11 AM; Lunch 11–3 PM; Dinner 5–9 PM |
| TJ Muskies Bar & Grill | 11 AM–10 PM (Sun–Thu); 11 AM–12 AM (Fri–Sat) — food hours differ |
| Lightburn's | Open for special events / seasonal — call ahead |
