Camping near Sutton Lake

Sutton Lake in West Virginia has several good camping areas surrounded by forests and water. New River National Park draws many campers because it's close to New River Gorge with hiking trails and water sports. Bear Mountain Campground has large sites with nice views of the area. You should reserve your spot early, especially in summer when many sites fill up fast. Cedar Creek State Park Campground is quieter and less crowded than other options. The best camping weather here is during spring and fall when it's not too hot and there are fewer people around. Winter camping can be limited since some campgrounds close or reduce services. Holly River State Park Campground has great hiking trails and lots of wildlife to see. If you want to go rafting, Gauley Tailwaters Campground puts you right near the Gauley River. Some campsites offer more privacy than others depending on which campground you choose. Most sites have good tree cover for shade. The campsites can fit different setups from small tents to big RVs. If you want better chances at getting a spot, try going on weekdays or during off-peak times. Sutton Lake's camping areas work well for both beginners and experienced campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Sutton Lake (104)

    1. Flatwoods KOA

    17 Reviews
    Sutton Lake, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 765-5055

    $55 / night

    "It’s behind a hotel. Our site had room for our 26’ hybrid with 3 beds, plus two cars, chairs, and our two dog tie outs."

    "Nice small town in beautiful West Virginia."

    2. Camp Creek State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Sutton Lake, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 425-9481

    "Camp Creek State Park West Virginia. This was a drive through, we didn't camp here. This State Park is only 2 miles from I- 77! Exit 20. 

    This is a hiking park & also has horse trails.

     "

    "There’s no real entrance to the water to swim. We literally had to slide down like a water slide haha."

    3. Gerald Freeman Campground

    6 Reviews
    Napier, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 765-7756

    $28 - $46 / night

    "Walking distance to the marina where there is a nice general store. Super friendly . Boat rentals available . Nice getaway in a beautiful part of the country."

    "There are a few places you can move around to and maybe get 1 bar, but they are hard to find. Starlink works great though, and once established you can use WiFi calling for your phone."

    4. Bulltown Camp — Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area

    7 Reviews
    Napier, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 452-8006

    $34 - $46 / night

    "Bulltown Camp, Burnsville Lake, WV https://www.recreation.gov/camping/bulltown-camp/r/campgroundDetails.do?"

    "Bulltown Campground offers a couple hundred spaces, multiple playgrounds, and clean restrooms on the edge of Burnsville Lake, managed by the U-S Army Corps of Engineers."

    5. Holly River State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Hacker Valley, WV
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 493-6353

    "I should preface each of my reviews for West Virginia campgrounds and state forests by stating...West Virginia has the nicest and friendliest people I've come across...and that is a pure pleasure in this"

    "We enjoyed the beautiful drive in with the fall colors and the little stream next to the road that goes through the campground. The sites are a little tight if you have a bigger camper."

    6. Bulltown Campground — Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area

    6 Reviews
    Burnsville Lake, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 452-8006

    "Much easier than driving around to find an open spot. We stayed at the waters edge this time. It was nice and quiet, close to the bath house, water fountain and playground."

    "good shady sites. good area for kids to ride bikes. some sites were tight fit for our tent but we still enjoyed it. took our kayaks we stayed right next to lake. good clean bathroom and campground. hosts"

    7. Elk River Camp and RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Sutton Lake, WV
    4 miles
    +1 (303) 807-5209

    $20 - $35 / night

    8. Bakers Run Campground — Elk River Wildlife Management Area

    2 Reviews
    Hacker Valley, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 765-5631

    $28 - $46 / night

    "There little to no cell service available and having a boat to enjoy the lake is a must. Camping here for many years due to the location and ease of access for boaters."

    9. Coon Creek Cove, Mountain Hideaway

    1 Review
    Sutton Lake, WV
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 853-0002

    $20 - $35 / night

    "When driving to the property, the road transitions to an unpaved mountain side adventure!  Pay attention!  And enjoy the ride.  Coon Creek Cove is inviting in every way possible. "

    10. Eagle's Nest Campground

    1 Review
    Scarbro, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 393-2688

    "Campground is pet friendly,  with a large area to walk dogs beside it. The New River Gorge NP visitor center was approx 20 min away, hiking trails were close by. "

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Recent Reviews near Sutton Lake

436 Reviews of 104 Sutton Lake Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Spacious campground. Near RiverGorge National Park

    The facilities were clean and well maintained. Babcock State Park has access to trails, a scenic drive, grist mill, and souvenir store. WIFI is slow but there is a WiFi lounge at park store. No food store or restaurants nearby. Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    All the Amenities and then some!

    We truly enjoyed our stay at this park. Its peacefully serene setting was exactly what we needed after a weekend long festival. Ya just can’t beat a free hot shower with great water pressure and affordable laundry facilities! Ya know?! Nice trails to forage and nearby Gristmill to top it all off. If we’d had the time, we would’ve stayed an extra night.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Audra State Park Campground

    Quiet

    A beautiful park located on a river very quiet. Campsites are small only electric is available bathhouse clean. The roads are very narrow with sharp turns.

  • Brac S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

    Don’t understand the positive reviews

    We headed here based on the reviews, there were other campers that were there for rafting (Sept release season) but camping was literally a parking lot with fire pits around it. We stayed just up the road at Battle Run, which was a beautiful place (paid of course).

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Nice place

    Trails were never nicely marked and well cleared. Good size spaces and distance between each camper.

  • Sonder B.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Clean, Remote, Pristine, off the beaten path = Mower Basin

    I chose for this trip to pay a visit to the Monongahela Nation Forest in West Virginia. I plan on dispersed camp in the Mower Basin for seven days. 

    The first three I would be solo and on that Friday my partner in crime would come to camp. I went to the primary camp site, and it was occupied. 

    I had four other camp sites chosen and continued to the other four. I found that other campers were on the other spots. I went to the last one and found it to be open. In setting up camp I found two piles of bear scat. 

    One pile was clearly fresher than the other, but still two piles! The attached photo is the last dispersed camp site. It was a little over a mile from the other site. I was dispersed camping in the Mower Basin. You can drive right up to your camp site, but don’t be fooled, this is primitive camping. 

    You need to bring everything with you and take it all out with you.

    Nearest Cell tower is here 38.688719,-79.979097

    Fuel &  small gocery store can be found here 38.710707,-79.979095

    Minor Automotive shop and tire repair here 38.713085,-79.979352

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Arrowhead Bike Farm

    Great spot for National Park Access

    Great campground adjacent to New River Gorge National Park. Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville (a cool little town). Onsite bike shop with rentals and repairs, restaurant, and bar. A handful of full hookup sites and open field camping for rv/van/car/tents. $11 for the field and $50 for hookup when I was here last n September 2025. Easy online or in person booking and checkin. Friendly, helpful staff. Peaceful place to stay a few nights if you want to hike or bike in the park or check out Fayetteville.

  • Tamara W.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Nice campground but….

    We camped here for 3 nights the campground is very large with multiple nice playgrounds for children, hiking trails frisbee golf, miniature golf, a beach lake access and other things I’m sure I’m not aware of I did walk a hiking trail and it was nice. There are lots of trees so as fall approaches it will be a beautiful area. The cons most sites are not level at all, there is one single bath house for each level making some sites very far from a bathroom/shower, the showers are very rough we checked 2 different bath houses both the same . Bathrooms also are cleaned only once per day per a post telling the cleaning times however the men’s facility was dirty and with out paper towels up until the day we left. It is pet friendly that is a big plus for us since we have no kids with us now but 2 fur babies. However we were unaware you need their rabies certificate with you there was no mention of this when I booked the site we have stayed lots of places and have never been asked for that before thankfully they allowed me to contact the vet Monday morning to get them emailed. Overall a nice stay


Guide to Sutton Lake

Camping near Sutton Lake, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Holly River State Park Campground. One camper noted, "Lots of scenery and trails to check out," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Battle Run, you can enjoy fishing and boating on Summersville Lake. A reviewer mentioned, "This Army Corps of Engineers campground provides a larger number of RV and tent sites with electric near a lake."
  • Swimming: The Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins features a beach area for swimming. One visitor said, "The beach was nice, we definitely enjoyed it."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Stonewall Resort State Park Campground. A review stated, "Clean amenities and nice lake views from the campground."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins. A camper shared, "The campsites themselves are roomy, plenty of space!"
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Bulltown Camp is noted for being family-friendly. One reviewer said, "Family friendly. Clean campground. Good fishing."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: If you’re heading to Holly River State Park Campground, be prepared for no cell service. A camper mentioned, "Absolutely zero cell service for AT&T and Verizon."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots like Battle Run fill up quickly. A reviewer advised, "Popular spot, so make reservations early."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, like Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins, are only open from April to October. A visitor noted, "This is a great campground! I came here in June."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with roomy sites like Cedar Creek State Park Campground. A camper said, "The trails are decently marked, and the fishing is on point."
  • Activities for Kids: Bulltown Camp has playgrounds and swimming areas. One review mentioned, "Good area for kids to ride bikes."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have limited food options. A visitor at Flatwoods KOA noted, "Limited amenities (pools at Days Inn)."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Battle Run mentioned, "Sites are grassy with gravel, generally level parking pads."
  • Look for Hookups: Campgrounds like Stonewall Resort State Park Campground offer full hookups. A reviewer said, "The campground is small but they good size, spread out fairly well."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Check the forecast before heading to places like Gauley Tailwaters Campground. A visitor noted, "Waking up to the sound of the river and then paired with the most gorgeous view."

Camping near Sutton Lake, West Virginia, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Gerald Freeman Campground on Sutton Lake?

Gerald Freeman Campground on Sutton Lake provides essential amenities for a comfortable camping experience. The campground features potable water access and toilet facilities for campers. While not as developed as some private campgrounds like Flatwoods KOA, Gerald Freeman offers both reservable sites and the basics needed for a lakeside camping experience. The campground allows for both boat-in and drive-in access, making it versatile for different camping styles. Remember that the focus here is on enjoying the natural setting rather than luxury facilities.

Where are the campgrounds located at Sutton Lake, West Virginia?

Sutton Lake in West Virginia offers several campground options around its shoreline. Bakers Run Campground — Elk River Wildlife Management Area is one of the main camping areas, providing lake access and is ideal for those with boats. Another option is Gerald Freeman Campground, which offers both boat-in and drive-in access. The campgrounds are situated along the lake's shores, allowing for water activities and scenic views, though cell service may be limited in these areas.

What are the camping fees and reservation requirements for Sutton Lake?

Camping fees at Sutton Lake vary by campground, with most public sites typically ranging from $20-30 per night. Bulltown Campground — Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area requires reservations for most sites, especially during peak summer months. Reservations can be made through recreation.gov for many of the public campgrounds. For more rustic options like Bulltown Camp, similar reservation systems apply. It's advisable to book several weeks in advance for summer weekends and holidays, as these popular lake destinations fill up quickly.