About SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS
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
How to Get There
Shelters 1, 2 and 3 are located at the Sutton Dam. From I-79, take Exit 62 toward Sutton/Gassaway. Turn left on SR-4, approximately 2 miles into Sutton. Turn right at the stop sign, cross the Elk River, and turn left to the dam. Shelters 4 and 5 are located in the Bee Run Day-Use Area. From I-79, take Exit 67 toward Flatwoods. Turn right on SR-4. Go 1 mile to SR-15 and turn left. Continue a mile to Bee Run Day-Use Area and turn right. NOTE: GPS directions are not always accurate.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS
Heading to SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS?
No central reservation system listed for SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234244) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS?
Shelters 1, 2 and 3 are located at the Sutton Dam. From I-79, take Exit 62 toward Sutton/Gassaway. Turn left on SR-4, approximately 2 miles into Sutton. Turn right at the stop sign, cross the Elk River, and turn left to the dam. Shelters 4 and 5 are located in the Bee Run Day-Use Area. From I-79, take Exit 67 toward Flatwoods. Turn right on SR-4. Go 1 mile to SR-15 and turn left. Continue a mile t…
How do I contact SUTTON LAKE PICNIC SHELTERS?
You can reach the park at phone: 304-765-2816 or email: suttonlake@usace.army.mil.
References & Official Resources