Lakes and Rivers - Braxton CVB

Lakes

Sutton Lake Marina

West Virginia's Sutton Lake

14 miles of The Elk River
44 Miles of Shoreline
1,520 acres of surface waterways

The Marina Platform: Expanding from a 140 slips to 200 projected slips. New docks: Constructed of Steel frame with weather treated wood walkways featuring a redesigned layout for easy access and regress to accommodate a full spectrum of boat sizes and dimensions.

Marina Membership includes optional full electric and city water for Houseboats and Pontoons plus water and trash bundled into all individual lease agreements.

The New Marina Ship Store: The New Sutton Lake Marina Store will be overstocked with all the supplies boaters need and a colorful inventory of Marina memorabilia and merchandise. Nautical nick knacks and a tasteful assortment of outerwear, everyday basics for food and deli fetishes, drinks, ice and all the flavors we can cool.

Boat Rentals: One Past Time Paddle Boat that would make Huck Finn want to flag a ride leads the fleet of rental opportunities at The New Sutton Lake Marina . Ad 10 Pontoon party boats, 2 Pedal Powered Boats, 3 Fishing boats for a lake that hosts more than 50 annual tournaments, 1 Full Size Houseboat, and a abundant supply of canoes for those of you who want to take it all in the old fashioned way.

The Filling Station: Expanded to offer the best in Marina Grade fuels and lubricants, plus referrals for most shallow water maintenance needs and day to day operational service from boat washing to battery charging to keep you running smooth and care free.

The Outdoor experience: Right next door to the New Sutton Lake Marina, barely the skip of a stone away, is Bee Run Recreation area. Here, West Virginian recreational boaters and Marina members meet and mingle to explore both walking trails, covered and open picnic areas, shaded campgrounds with both electric and non electric options, a double wide boat launch, a clearly marked sand filled beach, plentiful parking, personal facilities and a truly unique alternative experience for our Sutton Marina Members. We encourage our members to imagine the potential Bee Run Recreation Area offers your guests for outdoor camping and additional recreation. Invite all your friends and relatives for a visit knowing you have the resources to accommodate their stay by accessing The Bee Run Recreation areas assets and services.

Sutton Lake Marina Membership and leasing opportunities: Invitations are now open for you to explore a variety of membership and leasing options for your next full season of on site slip rentals or casual getaways. We've reserved a number of slots for the spontaneous short term boater who wants to spend a week or a weekend. The New Sutton Lake Marina offers a variety of pricing opportunities and various packages to accommodate each individual boaters time lines and boat type. Call us at 304 765-2120 or find us on the web at http://www.suttonlakemarina.com/

Phone: 304-765-2120

Address: Bee Run Recreation Rd. Sutton, WV 26601

Website: www.SuttonLakeMarina.com, www.WVHouseboatVacations.com
Burnsville Lake

There are numerous recreation opportunities at Burnsville Lake, including excellent hunting. At the Burnsville Lake Dam and the Riffle Run Campground/Day-Use/Boat Launch, you can take advantage of camping at one of sixty sites (non-reservable, electric & non-electric), take a picnic or plan a family reunion at one of the four reservable shelters. Boat rentals and storage are available at the marina. Take a trip back in time at the Bulltown Historical Village to get a taste of pioneer life during the Civil War Era.
Recreational Activities:
BOATING
CAMPING
FISHING
HIKING
HUNTING
WATER SPORTS
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Address:
2550 S Main St
Burnsville,WV,26335-7516
Phone: (304) 853-2371
Directions:
To visit the Burnsville Lake Dam and the Riffle Run Campground/Day-Use/Boat Launch take exit 79 from Interstate 79 then old Rt. 5 east approximately 3 miles to campground. To visit the Bulltown Historical Area and the Bulltown Campground/Day-se/Beach/Boat Launch take exit 67 off of I-79, then Rt. 19 North approximately 13 miles.

For 2015 Fee information, Click Here.

Phone: 304-853-2398
Website: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=H102270

For information on lake and tailwater conditions, precipitation, fishing, launch ramps, campground, hunting and special statements call 304-853-2398 (recording).

For the Burnsville Marina call 304-853-2822.

More Information available at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=H102270
Elk River Water Trail

Welcome to the Elk River...

From a tiny trickle of its headwaters in the heart of West Virginia to its confluence with the Kanawha River at Charleston, the Elk River meanders 180 miles through forests, farmland and small towns. It is the longest river located entirely within the borders of West Virginia.

The Elk River Water Trail is within a day’s drive of much of the eastern United States. The drive is interstate all the way, unless you choose to take scenic back roads to reach West Virginia. Either way, as you get within two hours of the The Elk River Water Trail, you’ll find yourself driving through some of the most beautiful scenic mountains in the Appalachian Region. The Elk River Water Trail begins in the geographic center of the state. West Virginia is nearly 90% forested, our rivers and mountains are inviting and peaceful and our people are warm and friendly.

The Elk River Water Trail begins at the tailwaters of the Sutton Dam (I-79 Exit 62) and continues through three counties: Braxton, Clay and Kanawha.The Water Trail has 12 Primary Access Locations and 5 Proposed Sites which are conveniently located close to Interstate 79 exits 1 through 62. The Water Trail exits are marked with signage and all 12 Primary Sites have Elk River Water Trail signage and information kiosks.

WV’s Biological Treasure...The Elk River, often called “the best all-in-one river in West Virginia” is recognized among biologists for its exceptional diversity of fish as well as being home to rare invertebrates, including a crayfish found nowhere else in the world.

Elk River Water Trail Access Locations:
*Proposed sites

Sutton Dam Tailwaters
lat 38.661338 lon -80.696872 / Stonewall Street, Sutton WV 26601

Cafe Cimino
lat 38.664010 lon -80.704174 / 616 Main Street, Sutton WV 26601

MonPower

lat 38.659501 lon -80.769901 / 1334 State Street, Gassaway WV 26624

Gassaway Dairy Queen
lat 38.676474 lon -80.770031 / 99 N Elk Street, Gassaway WV 26624

Sugar Creek Baptist Church
lat 38.657321 lon -80.802878 / 2409 Elk River Rd., Gassaway, WV 26624

Frametown Bridge
lat 38.635583 lon -80.864857 /

*Strange Creek Bridge
lat 38.566919 lon -80.897900

*Consolidated Coal
lat 38.586858 lon -80.9364761

Duck
lat 38.582676 lon -80.937581

Mary Chilton Roadside Park
lat 38.499755 lon -81.065908

King Shoals
lat 38.504732 lon -81.232135

Queen Shoals
lat 38.472008 lon -81.283631

Blue Creek
lat 38.449399 lon -81.456232

Clendenin
lat 38.490464 lon -81.330125

Mink Shoals
lat 38.395587 lon -81.330125

Coonskin Park
lat 38.389236 lon -81.584101

To view the trail map, click HERE

Phone: 304-765-6533

Official Facebook page
US Army Corps of Engineers / Sutton Dam

The Sutton Dam, located just upstream of Sutton and 101 miles above Charleston, is an imposing structure. It straddles Elk River at a height of 210 feet, with a top length of 1,178 feet. The dam controls a drainage area of 537 square miles, and creates a 1,520-acre lake at summer pool stage. The summer pool depth near the dam is 112 feet.

The Army Corps of Engineers built and operates the dam for purposes of flood control, low-flow augmentation, and recreation. Planning for Sutton Dam was suspended in 1952 because of the Korean War, but was resumed in 1956 when the groundbreaking was held. The completed structure was dedicated by Governor Barron on July 8, 1961. Sutton Dam is made entirely of concrete, thus differing from its nearby neighbor, Burnsville Dam, which is of earthen and concrete composition.

Sutton Dam has tamed the floods that once plagued downstream residents and communities along Elk River, even though it has never reached more than 50 percent of its storage capacity. The lake with its 40 miles of shoreline is popular with fishermen and boaters.

There are three public campgrounds at Sutton Lake, two marinas, and a total of four boat-launching ramps. The 17,184-acre Elk River Wildlife Management Area that surrounds the lake offers hunting for squirrel, turkey, deer, and waterfowl. The Gerald R. Freeman Campground, located on the Holly River arm of the reservoir, is the largest of the three campgrounds, with 158 sites. It is named for a longtime reservoir manager.

In 1980, a high-level water outlet was added to one of Sutton Dam’s five sluice gates, enabling engineers to draw warmer and clearer water from the top of the lake, thus dramatically improving downstream fishing. The colder, more turbid water released from the bottom of the lake had delayed and reduced spawning, inhibited fish growth, and cut into the populations of fish forage such as crayfish and hellgrammites in lower Elk River.

Phone: 304-765-2816

Address: S Stonewall Street Sutton, WV 26601
Website: www.lrh.usace.army.mil/

This Article was written by Skip Johnson
Last Revised on November 05, 2010
Bulltown Recreation Area

*ALL TOURS, ENTRANCE TO THE BATTLEFIELD, ENTRANCE TO THE VISITORS CENTER, SITE BROCHURES, AND ENTRANCE TO THE HISTORIC AREA ARE FREE!!! THE VISITORS CENTER, RESTROOMS, DRINKING FOUNTAIN, AND THE BATTLEFIELD AND HISTORIC AREA TRAILS ARE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE.

Directions: From I-79—Going south on I-79, take the Roanoke exit #91 and follow the brown directional signs on U.S. 11, WVA State 4. Going north on I-79, take the Flatwoods exit #67 and follow the brown directional signs on U.S. 19, WVA State 4 and 5.

The age-old idea that the Civil War was a war of brother against brother never stood as true as it does when in context with the Battle of Bulltown in Braxton County, West Virginia. In the history of this relatively obscure 1863 battle on October 13, the reinforced camp of Federals was attacked at dawn by a Confederate force of cavalry. Spoiling the surprise, an overzealous Confederate officer fired his pistol at about 4:30 a.m., alerting the Union troops of their presence. The West Virginian Federal troops occupied their makeshift earthworks and returned fire — some still in their night clothing — to repulse the attack. There were Confederate casualties and one Union commander was wounded. Flags of truce occurred numerous times, during which the opposing forces laid down their arms and mingled. With no real advantage gained by either side, the Confederates broke the engagement off at about 4 p.m. and retreated. This battle was significant in securing West Virginia for the Union along with controlling the nearby Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike.

All camps will be open for public inspection from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The traditional re-enactment will occur at 2 p.m. on Sunday and will last approximately 1 hour.
This free event is under the control of the Burnsville Project, Huntington District, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Phone: 304-452-8006

Website: http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/WestVirginia/BurnsvilleLake/BulltownHistoricArea.aspx

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

9:30AM TO 6:00PM
*NOTE: FOR LARGE GROUP TOURS PLEASE CALL IN ADVANCE:
Interpretive Ranger
(304) 452-8170 or (304) 853-2371
Guide Service

Lake guide service operates on all area lakes including Sutton, Burnsville & Summersville for fishermen, providing everything needed for that 'big catch'. Hunters' guide service is available in season, and includes pre-scouting an area to make sure there's game, and providing transportation to the area by water. Meals and housing are also available to make the trip complete.
Burnsville, WV 26335

Phone: 304-853-2822
Area Campgrounds

Our campgrounds provide the perfect spot, whether you're camping with the family, fishing with friends, or just getting away from it all. With seven campgrounds and a new KOA to choose from, you'll find the perfect camping spot. Whether you want complete hook-ups and other amenities, or just a place to put up your tent, we have plenty of room for you in Braxton County. For more information, call:

Flatwoods KOA, Sutton/Flatwoods - 304-765-5055
Baker's Run Campground, 304-765-2816
Big Run Campground, Napier 304-765-5826
Bulltown Campground, Burnsville 304-853-2371
Riffle Run Campground, Burnsville 304-853-2371
Gerald R. Freeman Campground, Sutton - 304-765-2816
Riverside Campground, Burnsville 304-853-2326

Bulltown Rec. Area

Burnsville, WV 26335
304-452-8006
Camping,hiking,fishing swiming and more. Please visit http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/bus/ for more information.