West Virginia

Grant County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

This is a man made lake which serves as the cooling water for an adjacent coal fired power plant. It has a public boat access which also provides parking and portable restroom facilites for divers.  Mt. Storm Lake offers the opportunity to do high altitude diving at its 3,244 ft. elevation and boasts year round diving without ice formation due to its abnormally warm water.  Platforms are present at the 25 ft., 50 ft. and 90 ft. levels.  See www.mtstorm.com for additional information and map.



Mount Storm

Mt. Storm Lake

This lake is the cooling "pond" (1,200 acres) for a coal fired electric generating plant. The water temps range from the upper 80s in the summer to the 50s in the winter - provided the generators are pumping. The max depth is around 130 feet if you follow the stream bed, There are several platforms for training and had lines connecting them. Not much for amenities, just a couple of port-a-johns. No local dive shop, so bring everything you need. The parking lot is huge and the entry isn't too bad, down a short path. I've been there several times and the vis wasn't all that great - 10 to 20 feet, but water temps in the winter make up for it! This is an altitude dive for most of us at around 3,200 feet so plan accordingly.

US Rt 50 to Mt. Storm, WV   WV Rt 42 South to WV Rt 93 about 4 miles  WV Rt 93 West to Mt. Storm Lake about 1.5 miles before power plant on left side

Mt. Storm Lake (Vepco)

Privately owned and closed to the general public. Don't access without permission. Some local scuba shops do their training certification dives here.

There is all sorts of aquatic life consisting of fish, grasses, and underwater forests 

Bakerton Quarry

This is the local dive site for divers in Northern Virginia.  It is an inland fresh water lake that was formed from a flooded quarry.  Various ships, air planes, and other structures have been sunk for diver's use.  Local dive shops conduct the whole gamut of training here.  You must have a c-card to get in, so there are no fishermen, boats, or snorkelers.  

From Rt 66 in Virginia, take exit 40 for US 15 South.  Take US 15 South to the traffic light at VA 55.  Take a right on to VA 55 West.  Continue of VA 55 approximately 3.6 miles.  Millbrook's entrance will be on your left, immediately after crossing Broad Run.  The entrance is marked by a gate and a barrel with a dive flag painted on it.  If you arrive before opening, you will also see a line of cars extending both east and west from the gate.  

Admission passes are $30.00 at the gate or
$18.00 at a local dive shop.  The lake is privately owned, but used by the local SCUBA crowd.  It is open weekends, closed weekdays seasonally.  Divers can camp overnight from June 2 through Labor Day for $5 extra per person.

There are several beaches around the lake where divers can enter the water.

Lake Millbrook

About an hour west from Washington D.C. and east from Winchester, Va, Millbrook Quarry is an ideal site for weekend dives. There are multiple sunken attractions including a plane, several boats, and buses, to name a few. They are open Saturday and Sunday only. Water temps can get up to the mid 70's in the summer, but the deepest point is consistently in the 40-50 degree range year round. Thick wetsuits or dry suits are the norm. Visibility can range from 10-20 feet. Entry at the gate is $25, but can be purchased ahead of time at local dive shops for less. For more information see the dive site link listed below.

From Washington D.C. and points east, take I-66 west. Get off on exit 40, Route 15 Haymarket/Leesburg. Turn Left onto Rt. 15. Turn right onto John Marshall Highway/Rt 55 at first traffic light. Follow this road 3.4 miles, you will see a barrel, painted as a dive flag, on the left side of the road marking the entrance to the quarry.  From Winchester and points west, I-66 east. Get off on exit 40, Route 15 Haymarket/Leesburg, headed South. Turn right onto John Marshall Highway/Rt 55 at first traffic light. Follow this road 3.4 miles, you will see a barrel, painted as a dive flag, on the left side of the road marking the entrance to the quarry.

Millbrook Quarry

We must remember that this is a privately owned quarry and that we must respect the wishes of the owner.  Diving the Blue Hole is a privilege for all of our diving community. Please follow the rules so that we may continue to have the privilege of diving there. 
Blue Hole Quarry Liability Release form MUST be completed and turned in BEFORE you dive the quarry.  It is also required that you have your own copy already filled out and have it with you at all times when you are diving the Blue Hole.  Releases can be faxed, mailed to, or turned in at Laurel Divers is maintaining the quarry.  The biggest expense is for the portable toilets.  We ask a donation of $5 per diver per day.  There are donation envelopes at both ends of the quarry, or you can print out a donation form and send to 

Mailing Address:  204 Plank Rd, Ebensburg, PA 15931 
Fax: 888-405-4496 
Email: Quarry@LaurelDivers.com 

Forms available for download at www.laureldivers.com

This site is for the quarry near Williamsburg, PA, both known as Blue Hole Quarry and Clover Creek Quarry.

Williamsburg Blue Hole



Woodsboro Dive Team only has access to the quarry

Woodsboro Quarry (550)

Summersville Lake is recorded to be 327ft in depth at the deepest point. There are many walk in accesses to the water, and the lake also has training platforms at 20&40 feet. There is many species of fish to see in the lake, and many beautiful rock formations. Vis at 40ft has been about 25ft this year. This lake is a manmade lake with a earth dam. There a dive shop at the lake and boat rental is available. There's no charge for diving in the lake.

Summersville Lake is located in Summersville WVa, which is located on US Route19 which runs between Interstate79 and Interstate77 better known as the WVa Turnpike. Summersville is located about 1Hr from the state capitol, which is Charleston.

Summersville Lake

Hydes Quarry



Approx 3 miles from the Prime Outlet Mall in Grove City.
This is a private property.

Crusty's

Complete dive shop. Scubapro, Atomic.
Dressing rooms, restrooms and showers.

Churchill Rd, Pennsylvania

Mt. Storm Lake

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Mt. Storm Lake