Primitive Tent Sites
12 sitesPicnic table, fire ring, lantern post. NO electric, NO water hookups.
$10-$14/night
Bee Run Campground sits on the quiet eastern shore of Sutton Lake in Braxton County, West Virginia. This is primitive camping - 12 tent sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and nothing else. No electric. No water hookups. No showers. Just you, the woods, and the lake. What you get is solitude. While RV campers pack into the bigger campgrounds, Bee Run stays peaceful. Pull in, pick a site, pay at the self-service station. First-come, first-served means no reservations, no phone calls, no hassle. Show up before the weekend crowds and you'll have your pick. The Bee Run Day Use Area is right there with a boat ramp for lake access. Sutton Lake offers 40 miles of shoreline, good bass and walleye fishing, and some of the clearest water in central West Virginia. Bring your own drinking water, pack out your trash, and leave the campsite better than you found it.
Managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Huntington District)
Campsites (12 Total)
Amenities & Facilities
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Vault Toilets
Vault toilet facilities available. No flush toilets.
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Fire Rings
Each site includes a fire ring for campfires. Bring your own firewood or gather deadfall.
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Picnic Tables
Each site includes a picnic table.
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Electric Hookups
NO electric hookups available. This is primitive camping only.
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Water Hookups
NO water hookups. Bring your own drinking water.
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Showers
NO showers available. Primitive camping - pack accordingly.
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Dump Station
NO dump station at Bee Run. Nearest at Bakers Run Campground.
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Cell Service
Limited cell coverage. Verizon has best coverage in Braxton County (68.4%). Download offline maps.
Cell Service: Limited coverage. Verizon best in Braxton County (68.4%). AT&T second (51%). Download offline maps before arrival.
Operating Season
Open Season
Late May - Early December (approximately)
First-come, first-served. No reservations.
Peak Season
Memorial Day - Labor Day
Arrive early on weekends - sites fill quickly.
Off-Peak (Fall)
September - Early December
Less crowded. Great for fall foliage.
Winter Closure
Early December - Late May
CLOSED
⚠ Important Rules
Reservations
First-come, first-served ONLY. No reservations accepted. Pay at self-service station upon arrival.
Season
Open late May through early December. Exact dates vary by year - contact USACE office.
Payment
Self-service fee station. Cash or check only. Daily fee $10-$14 per night.
Water
BRING YOUR OWN DRINKING WATER. No potable water available at campground.
Trash
Pack it in, pack it out. No trash service. Leave no trace.
Things to Do Nearby
Bee Run Day Use Area
AdjacentBoat ramp with direct Sutton Lake access. Day use fee $3 per vehicle for boat launching.
Season: Year-round access
Fishing - Sutton Lake
On-site (boat ramp)Sutton Lake gamefish: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, walleye, saugeye, channel catfish, flathead catfish. 40 miles of shoreline.
Swimming
Bee Run Day Use AreaSwimming available at day use area. No lifeguards on duty - swim at your own risk.
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Bakers Run Campground
Approximately 8 milesLarger USACE campground with electric hookups, showers, and dump station if you need more amenities.
View GuideGerald R. Freeman Campground
Approximately 10 milesFull-service USACE campground on Sutton Lake with electric sites and full amenities.
View GuideSutton Lake Marina
Approximately 5 milesPrivate marina with boat rentals, fuel, and supplies. Call ahead for availability.
Visit WebsiteSutton Dam
Approximately 4 milesUSACE dam with visitor information center. Good tailwater fishing below dam for trout.
Downtown Sutton
Approximately 5 milesHistoric downtown with local shops, restaurants, and the Flatwoods Monster Museum. Gas and groceries available.
Campground Policies
Stay Limit
Maximum 14 days in any 30-day consecutive period at Sutton Lake.
Quiet Hours
10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Respect your neighbors.
Pets
Pets allowed. Must be on leash under 6 feet and under control at all times. Clean up after your pet.
Campfires
Permitted in designated fire rings only. Check for fire restrictions during dry periods.
Directions
From I-79 Exit 62 (Sutton/Gassaway): Head north on WV-4 toward Sutton Dam. Turn right onto Bee Run Road and follow signs to Bee Run Day Use Area and Campground.
GPS Coordinates: 38.655582, -80.682071
Contact Information
Recorded Lake Information
What to Bring
- Drinking water (5+ gallons)
- Tent and ground tarp
- Sleeping bag rated for cool nights
- Camping stove and fuel
- Cooler with ice (no electricity)
- Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries
- Firewood (or gather deadfall) (optional)
- Fire starter and matches
- First aid kit
- Trash bags (pack it out)
- Fishing rod and WV fishing license (optional)
- Boat and life jackets (optional)
- Offline maps (limited cell service)
- Cash for self-service fee station
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Rain gear
- Camp chair (optional)
- Biodegradable soap (pack out gray water) (optional)
Questions About Camping?
Stop by the shop before you head out. We can help you plan your trip, get licenses, and load up on supplies.