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Lake · Mountain Lakes

Sutton Lake

A 1,440-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Elk River in Braxton County, with several campgrounds, quiet coves and the dam that creates the Elk tailwater fishery below. Geographic center of the state and a practical stop off I-79.

1,440 ac · LakeCorps · Managed

Know before you go

  • Bee Run and Gerald Freeman campgrounds are the main sites
  • Water level fluctuates with flood control operations
  • Bass, muskie and catfish

What you can do here

Flatwater Paddling

Apr–Oct

Fishing

Year-round

Camping

Apr–Oct

RV Camping

Apr–Oct

Boating & Motorboating

Apr–Oct

Kayak Fishing

Apr–Oct

Hunting

Sep–Feb
AdvertiseThis space is available

Guides, gear and lodging near Sutton Lake

Place-level placement for operators within range of this trailhead, put-in or crag.

List your business here

Who looks after it

Elk River Water Trail Nonprofit Elk River paddling access developed alongside the Elk River Rail Trail. Visit USACE — Sutton Lake Federal Central West Virginia reservoir with campgrounds, bass fishing and flatwater paddling. Visit USACE — Burnsville Lake Federal Quiet Braxton County reservoir with camping, boating and muskie fishing. Visit Elk River Trail Nonprofit Growing rail-trail and water trail corridor along one of West Virginia's best trout and smallmouth rivers. Visit

Nearby in the Mountain Lakes

River · Mountain Lakes

Elk River

One of the finest and least-known trout fisheries in the Appalachians.

Tailwater cold year-roundWild browns fishery
Trail · Mountain Lakes

Elk River Rail Trail

A developing rail-trail on the former Buffalo Creek & Gauley and Elk River Railroad grades, opening a long, remote corridor along the Elk between Gassaway and Clendenin.

73 mi planned corridorDeveloping status
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park

A 2,650-acre lake with the most developed resort facilities of any West Virginia lake park — a lodge, marina, Arnold Palmer golf course and the state's largest open-water fetch for small-boat sailing.

2,650 ac lake82 mi shoreline
Lake · Mountain Lakes

Burnsville Lake

A 968-acre Corps reservoir on the Little Kanawha with the Bulltown Historic Area on its shore — Civil War earthworks, a preserved farmstead and a well-regarded campground.

968 ac lakeBulltown historic area
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Holly River State Park

West Virginia's second-largest state park at 8,101 acres, in a narrow valley of hemlock and hardwood with waterfalls, cabins and a rugged trail network.

8,101 ac park2nd largest state park
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Cedar Creek State Park

A 2,483-acre park in Gilmer County with three small fishing lakes, a campground and a network of easy trails.

2,483 ac park3 fishing lakes

Almost Heaven Swings