This recreation area is part of [Burnsville Lake](http://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId;=315&agencyCode;=130)

Riffle Run Campground

## Overview

Head to Bulltown Campground to experience the scenery and historic significance of this central West Virginia region. The large campground is on the edge of Burnsville Lake, just beside the Bulltown Historic Area. This spot occupies the site of a Civil War battle, where reenactments of the historic event take place twice a year. 

## Recreation

Take a trip back in time at the Bulltown Historical Village to get a taste of life during the Civil War era. Other activities include hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and picnicking.

## Facilities

The campground offers nearly 200 campsites. Playgrounds and showers on located within each loop. A boat ramp is within the campground and a beach is about a mile away.

## Natural Features

The campground is near the headwaters of Burnsville Lake on the Little Kanawha River. The hilly, forested region lies at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, just west of the Allegheny Plateau. 

## Nearby Attractions

A trip to the Bulltown Historic Area Visitor Center is highly recommended. The Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area is due east. For camping convenience, two general stores are located within three miles of the campground.

Bulltown Camp

Bulltown Campground

This recreation area is part of Stonewall Jackson Lake

Stonewall Jackson State Park

Stonewall Resort State Park

This KOA is close to the interstate exit, yet a world away. The campground is perfect for an easy-in/easy-out overnight stay. Or extend your visit to enjoy the beautiful region and outlet shopping. You'll find free Wi-Fi, paved roads with long gravel pull thrus, a superclean bathhouse, laundry facility, playground for the kids, hiking trails and a game room. All sites are full hookup. This KOA is directly behind its sister property, a 200-room Days Inn & Suites (where you check in), with amenities available to registered campers that include indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant, tavern, exercise room, gift shop and business center. Shopping is available at the nearby Flatwoods Center. Ready for a different experience? Flatwoods KOA also offers a two-bedroom/one bathroom Deluxe Cabin for rent. Enjoy the view from your own front porch swing. Pool (outdoor): Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru: 85 feet.

Flatwoods KOA

## 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. 

## contact_info

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

## 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.

Gerald Freeman Campground

## 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.

#### 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.

#### Recreation:

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 Down Stream 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.

#### Facilities:

These 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 Down Stream Area, overlooking the Elk River. Shelter 1 is accessible. Each is accessible and has water and electric hookups. A playground, large parking areas and accessible flush toilets are provided.   
  
Shelter 3 overlooks Sutton Lake in the South Abutment Day-Use Area, just upstream from the dam. Visitors in this area enjoy the lakeside fishing pier, small beach and boat ramp.  
  
Shelters 4 and 5 overlook Sutton Lake from the Bee Run Day-Use Area. Water and electric hookups are available at each shelter. Amenities include flush toilets, ample parking, a marina, playground and large beach.

#### 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.

Sutton Lake Picnic Shelters

Cedar Creek State Park

Elk River Camp and RV Park

We are a small, homestead farm with chickens, pigs, and bunnies, located 1.25 miles off the paved road, over 2 miles from the nearest residence. Our hideaway farm is 80 acres centered on the convergence of two babbling creeks, in a valley between three mountains. 

We are happy to teach you about our homestead lifestyle or set your campsite and just relax. Our Main Circle is where our bonfires, cabana, and home trailer is. You are welcome to camp at the Main Circle where we have electricity and Wifi or you can camp elsewhere. Campers are encouraged to camp at Kolb Field along Coon Creek, under a great-grandfather walnut tree or hike the mountain and set camp secluded away from everyone. 

We have a public dirt road that is seldom traveled through the property, we do suggest having an SUV or 4x4 when coming but, regular cars can get here and we can help you get to your site in our pick up truck. RVs and non-4x4 cars can only get to the camp area during dryer times of the year, please ask if you have a RV. If you have a car that can't get to Kolb Field because of high water, we do have other areas you can camp at. 

We LOVE to Bar-B- Que! We offer on special weekends, mostly holidays to join us for BBQ dinner at the Main Circle. You will notice a slightly higher price for camping on these nights, that compensates us for your dinners. These Holidays are some of the best times to visit if you like to socialize around a camp fire! Below is a schedule of some of these special nights… 

Memorial Day, until we have a way for discounts, we refund 50% for all Military, and First Responders! 

June 20th/ Gassaway Days, Anniversary of West Virginia 1865, Our local town has a big street festival, car show and live music, super fun! 

4th of July Week/ Freedom Week, Ten days from the Friday before to the Sunday After the 4th, one day for each of our 10 Amendments in the Bill of Rights. We try to do daily themes for each Amendment. Of course there will be fire works!!! 

Labor Day Weekend, Union Workers get a 50% refund. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed! 

Halloween, Great to play hide and seek in the woods and scare the crap out of your kids! 

Thanksgiving/ Deer Hunting Season, You can come hunt and have a BBQ'd Turkey dinner with us with all the trimmings! 

Mother's and Father's Day weekends are automatically discounted. Please enjoy some time with the kids! 

INSTANT BOOKINGS and SAME DAY, Please take note, we may miss your message because we may be out on the property and not be connected. If we don't respond don't fear, the directions are accurate, please see the map. You are welcome even if we don't get right back to you, come on down and see us!

Coon Creek Cove, Mountain Hideaway

US Army Corps of Engineers

Nice, at the lake but not on the lake. There’s no swimming. No reservations. Friendly staff, nice sites, 54 full hook up, 6 no hookups 

I’ll be coming back .

**RANGER REVIEW: Renogy Solar Power Bank at Riffle Run Campground, Army Corp of Engineers, Burnsville Lake Dam, West Virginia**

**Campground Review: Riffle Run Campground, Burnsville Lake Dam, Army Corp of Engineers**

Riffle Run Campground, Burnsville Lake, Orlando, WV[https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=H102270](https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=H102270)

Riffle Run Campground is located on the northern end of the Corp of Army Engineer’s Burnsville Lake. A 60 site campground just beyond the dam and nestled in a mountain valley. Fifty Five sites have water/electric/sewer hookup…and five “primitive” sites (55-60) are allocated to tent campers beyond the turn-around. All sites have a lantern post, fire pit and picnic table. Parking pads are gravel. A centrally located showerhouse is as modern and spotlessly clean as one could want. Water for the primitive sites is located partway to the showerhouse between RV sites combined with a drinking fountain.

The grounds are meticulously maintained (as all Corp of Army Engineer Campgrounds are here in WV) and the grass looks like golf fairways. Campground hosts and volunteers work diligently to keep up the beautiful appearance.

[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_W3j31xkKf0](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_W3j31xkKf0)

$30 nightly for RV/Camper sites with full hook-ups, and $20 nightly for the primitive sites. Check-in was self service only on our visit in early May.

Burnsville Lake is a popular power boating and fishing lake, so even on weekdays there is ample activity on the water.

New state of the art playgrounds for the kids. Two exist in the campground and a third playground is located in the Day use picnic area just outside the campground entrance to the left…and a fourth playground in a day use picnic area just below the dam on the right as you enter the Burnsville Lake area. If you have kids…it’ll keep them busy. Both day use loops have restrooms and picnic shelters.

There are several trails that meander around the mountains…some are relatively steep but I would rate them as moderate. However, they are not well-marked or often used in early Spring, so it is very possible to get turned around and onto longer trails. They are exceptionally wide and grassy. Some of the steeper uphill/downhill areas are grassless. Bring a trail map and compass.

Wildlife abounds! Birds of every feather, deer, turkey, reptiles…yes, even copperheads (but we only saw black racers). There is a rather large pack of coyotes in the park that compete for night air-time with the owls.

Currently, this is one of the only campgrounds in West Virginia of the two dozen or so we’ve visited that has cell service. They still offer pay phones like most others, but we were able to send and receive messages, along with checking the weather. Remarkable!

**Product Review: Renogy Solar Power Bank**

Renogy Solar Power Bank 15000[https://www.renogy.com/](https://www.renogy.com/)

**PROS**

•Small

•Lightweight

•Versatile

•2 USB ports

• Integrated LED light

•Additional detached light

**CONS**

•No instructions

•Finicky USB ports

The Renogy Solar Power Bank [https://www.renogy.com/renogy-15000mah-solar-power-bank/](https://www.renogy.com/renogy-15000mah-solar-power-bank/) is a relatively small portable 15000mAh source of energy for handheld personal devices. Boasting a 2W solar panel with two USB outputs of 5.0V each.

As a Review Ranger for TheDyrt.com, the Renogy Solar Power Bank was provided by the company for testing and review.

Box contents:

•Renogy Solar Power Bank

•USB charging cord

•Carabiner clip

•Flexible USB reading light

The unit itself has a short lanyard attached to a plastic tab on the backside “top.” The tab does not appear too robust so I suspect this will be the first area of failure if attached to a backpack and bounces against the pack during hikes. However, there is a duplicate plastic attachment tab on the backside “bottom,” also. I will likely always secure the solar power bank to my pack utilizing both tabs with para cord.

On the “bottom” end of the case are two (2) USB ports, the charging port for AC charging of the power bank and four (4) LED lights that indicate what the current charge level is. As the power bank’s charge capacity diminishes, one or more blue LED lights will blink.

On the opposite side of the solar panel is an integrated six (6) LED light. An “on/off” button is located on the side of the case. A quick double tap activates the light, an additional tap activates the strobe function. I am uncertain of the exact lumens, but it is bright, lighting up an entire room.

The additional and separate light is 7” long, plugs into a USB port and has a flexible rubber shaft for adjusting the light where you desire it. I would describe the illumination more for reading, as it does not project a beam, but rather a soft glow.

At 15000 mAh, there should be plenty of juice to power up several handheld devices before needing recharged itself.

At a single full charge from an electrical outlet, the Renogy Solar Power Bank charged an iPhone 7

•First charge 23% to 100% in 1:35.

•Second charge 19% to 100% in 1:40

•Third charge 14% to 100% in 2:00

•Fourth charge 17% to 100% in 1:30

•Fifth charge iPad 41% to 65% (when the Solar Power Bank ran out of charging power)

Interestingly, the integrated LED lights still illuminated brightly, but it would not charge any devices after five heavy power outputs.

Charging in direct sunlight for 18 hours failed to yield positive results on this unit. Only producing one flashing indicating light of available power. Uncertain what the problem may be.

With continued usage, it appears that direct sunlight charging works, the blue LED charge indicator lights may be the issue. With one intermittent flashing indicator light a full charge on an iPhone 7 was complete in 1:15 from 11%. Upon calling Renogy tech support, they were unaware of any problems as this a new product.

I plugged the Renogy Solar Bank into an outlet shortly after and it fully charged displaying four solid LED indicator lights.

**Final Thoughts**

When fully charged from an AC outlet, the Renogy Solar Power Bank performs well, charging several handheld devices. When in direct sunlight, it produces a slower, but consistent charge. However, as previously noted, it does not utilize the solar panel to charge itself sufficiently in direct, consistent sunshine to be useful in that way.

On this Renogy Solar Power Bank, the USB ports felt a bit sloppy…as if there is not always positive contact. I found myself unplugging the USB cable and reinserting to receive s positive charge reading.

If used solely as a power bank that I powered up via an outlet and took into the field to get half dozen power-ups on my handheld devices it’s worth consideration, as it was very effective. The jury is out on relying on its solar charging capabilities in the backcountry.

Riffle Run Campground

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I’ll be coming back .

Ranger Review: Renogy Solar Power Bank at Riffle Run Campground, WV

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