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Recreation Areas and Campground Database

Sutton Lake

Group site

With 40 mi of shoreline, this lake attracts fishing and boating enthusiasts. Located in the wooded hills of central West Virginia, the project office is 1 mi E of Sutton, off I-79.

RecAreaDirections


Take I-79 to Exit 62, the Sutton/Gassaway Exit, follow signs to Sutton Dam (North on Route 4).

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Important Information

Campsites have been designated within 500 feet of Eagle Lake. Designated campsites are marked with a tent symbol on a 4x4 post and are first-come, first-served, one permitted group per campsite. Establish your camp within 30 of the 4x4 post. If all designated campsites are taken when you arrive, you must camp more than 500 feet from the lakeshore. Stock not recommended in this zone.


Facilities


Bee Run Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Bee Run Campground is a small, but beautiful little campground located in central WV. The campground is three miles off Interstate 79 (Flatwoods exit). The campground features twelve primitive campsites suitable for RV's, Travel Trailer's and tents. The campground is surrounded by the Elk River Wildlife Management that has several hiking, biking trails to explorer. Also, the Sutton Lake Marina and Ship Store is located nearby, along with a picnic area, swimming beach and boat launch ramp.

Recreation

Sutton Lake offers opportunnities for motorized boating, and water sking. Fishing is available on lake, most anglers fish for large-mouth and small-mouth bass, and crappie. Guest can swim at the swimming beach located inside the day use area. Vistors can hike the Jeremiah Carpenter trail that leads them to the Sutton Dam North Abutment with wonder views of the dam.

Facilities

Each campsite has a fire ring, lantern post and picnic table. The campground has a volunteer host, vault toilets and security lighting

Natural Features

The campsites are located at the top of the hill and does not offer a lake view, but each campsite has a wonderful view of the WV hills and wildlife. The lake is in hiking distance for the avid hiker, but there is also plenty of parking for those who want to drive in at the day use area swimming beach and marina.

Nearby Attractions

Bee Run Campground is located in central WV and is surrounded by breath taking secenic views and full of history. The historical town of Sutton, WV has cobble-stone streets and local shops to explorer. The Bulltown Historic Area and the Flatwoods Outlet Mall are nearby.


Bakers Run Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Bakers Run Campground is one of the best kept secrets in West Virginia. The campground rests among shady forests and flowing tributaries of the Elk River, which has the highest species diversity and richness of any river in the entire state. This makes the fishing excellent for bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and walleye. Bakers Run is surrounded by the Elk River Wildlife Management Area, campers will hear turkeys gobble and see whitetail deer along with other wildlife as a part of their experience. Choose from 77 sites. There are eight full hook-up campsites, 26 electric campsites, and 44 primitive campsites. 

Recreation

Sutton Lake has three other developed recreational areas, including the Sutton Dam and Downstream that includes tail water fishing access, picnic shelters, a playground, trail access, and a pollinator garden. Gerald R. Freeman Campground, located about three miles North on the Holly River has 158 sites, many of which may be reserved on recreation.gov. The Bee Run Recreation Area offers a primitive campground, boat launch, marina, swimming beach, picnic shelters, and a playground.  

Facilities

Along with the lake, recreation opportunities include a playground with swings, horseshoe pits, bean bag toss, volleyball area, and basketball court. There is a shower house and restroom inside the campground

Natural Features

Along with the lake, recreation opportunities include a playground with swings, horseshoe pits, bean bag toss, volleyball area, and basketball court. There is a shower house and restroom inside the campground. Fishermen are likely to be found casting lines from lawn chairs strewn off of the Tunnel Road fishing access. Bakers Run is surrounded by a wildlife management area, making it likely for campers to hear turkeys gobble and see whitetail deer along with other wildlife as a part of their experience. 

Nearby Attractions

Bakers Run Campground is nestled deep in the West Virginia mountains, and within driving range to the Monongahela National Forest. The Elk River is a majestic river, flowing past Bakers Run Campground where kayaking, fishingand other water ativities. The historical town of Sutton has plenty of history on the Cobblestone streets, where the "Weston and Gualey Bridge Turnpike" passes through the town of Sutton. The Weston and Gualey Bridge Turnpike was a major highway back during the American Civil War timeframe that connected Weston, WV to Gualey Bridge, WV. Flatwood Outlet Mall is a nearby attraction in the area, where you can find groceries, supplies and take out and dine-in food.


GERALD FREEMAN CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Gerald Freeman Camp is nestled in the headwaters of Sutton Lake in central West Virginia, 70 miles north of Charleston. The area provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing and hiking.

Recreation

Anglers find plentiful bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish in the lake. The Elk River below Sutton Dam is well-known for its muskie and walleye fishing, and trout are stocked in the Downstream area. Fire roads and hunting trails in the surrounding lands provide great hiking and biking opportunities around Sutton Lake and at the nearby Elk River Wildlife Management Area. A variety of campground activities are scheduled throughout the summer for children of all ages.

Facilities

This large campground offers 158 campsites. 113 sites have electric hookups and 37 sites have full hookups. Boat ramps and a marina with a snack bar are located on-site. Younger visitors love the campground's playgrounds and basketball courts. Other facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, water fountains, and two trailer water / dump stations.

Natural Features

Sutton Lake covers 1440 acres as it winds 14 miles up the Elk River. Many quiet coves can be found along its 40 miles of shoreline. The lake is surrounded by rolling hills wooded with mixed stands of oak, hickory, poplar and cherry trees. Wildlife, including deer, turkeys, squirrels, ruffed grouse, Canada geese and other waterfowl, is abundant in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The Elk River Wildlife Management Area contains nearly 18,000 acres of public hunting lands. The terrain is diverse and divided into the Elk River and Holly River sections. The Elk River section consists primarily of steep hills, ridges and benches, while the Holly River section is on the north side of the lake and consists of forested hills and open farmlands.

Additional camping facilities are available on a first come, first served basis at Bakers Run Campground and Bee Run Primitive Campground.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (304) 765-2267.


SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Sutton Lake Picnic Shelters overlook Sutton Lake and the Elk River in central West Virginia, 70 miles north of Charleston and 60 miles south of Clarksburg. The area provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing and hiking.

Recreation

Sutton Lake's five recreation areas offer many recreation opportunities for visitors. Three campground have sites available for reservation or on a first come, first serve basis. Boat may be launched in all of the lakeside recreation areas. Below Sutton Dam, there is a small boat ramp accessing the Elk River. All three Day Use Areas have fishing platforms. Kids love the playgrounds. Anglers find plentiful bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish in the lake. Below the dam, the Elk River is well-known for its muskie and walleye fishing, and trout are stocked in the Tailwaters. Fire roads and hunting trails in the surrounding lands provide great hiking and biking opportunities around Sutton Lake and at the nearby Elk River Wildlife Management Area.

Facilities

Sutton Lake Day Use Areas offers five picnic shelters, each with six to eight picnic tables and a large charcoal grill.

Shelters 1 and 2 are in the Downstream Area, overlooking the Elk River. Both shelters have water and electric hook-ups and Shelter 1 is accessible. There is a playground, fishing pier, small boat access, horseshoe pits and corn hole in the area. Other facilities include a large parking area and accessible flush toilets.

Shelters 3 and 4 overlook Sutton Lake from the Bee Run Day Use Area. Water and electric hookups are available at each shelter. Amenities include a playground, a large beach, and the Sutton Lake Marina. Area facilities include flush toilets and ample parking. Shelter 4 is ADA accessible, although there is not direct ADA access to the restroom facilities.

Natural Features

Sutton Dam is an impressive 210' tall and 1178' wide concrete dam, backing up Sutton Lake, which covers 1440 acres as it winds 14 miles up the Elk River. Many quiet coves can be found along its 40 miles of shoreline. The lake is surrounded by rolling hills wooded with mixed stands of oak, hickory, poplar and cherry trees. Wildlife, including deer, bears, turkeys, squirrels, ruffed grouse, Canada geese and other waterfowl are abundant in the area.

Nearby Attractions

Sutton Lake Marina is nearby in the Bee Run Area. It is a private concession with a snack bar, boat and slip rentals and more. Camping is available at Gerald Freeman, Bakers Run and Bee Run Campgrounds.

The Elk River Wildlife Management Area contains nearly 18,000 acres of public hunting lands. The terrain is diverse and divided into the Elk River and Holly River sections. The Elk River section consists primarily of steep hills, ridges and benches, where the Holly River section is on the north side of the lake and consists of forested hills and open farmlands.


Bakers Run Campground Campground
List of Campsites

This recreation area is part of Sutton Lake


Bee Run Campground Campground
List of Campsites

This recreation area is part of Sutton Lake


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