Bee Run Recreation Area Beach
Sutton, West Virginia · on Elk River · Sutton Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Bee Run Recreation Area Beach
Bee Run Recreation Area Beach is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed swimming beach on Sutton Lake, a 1,520-acre reservoir on the Elk River near Sutton, West Virginia. It sits in the day-use area adjacent to the small Bee Run Campground, about 3 miles off Interstate 79 near Flatwoods.
The beach is part of the Sutton Lake recreation complex operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, on a long, narrow flood-control reservoir (14 miles long, ~40 miles of shoreline) impounding the Elk River in the hills of Braxton County, central West Virginia. The adjoining Bee Run Campground offers 12 primitive, non-electric sites for RVs, trailers and tents, and the Jeremiah Carpenter Trail leads from the area to the Sutton Dam North Abutment.
Swimming at Bee Run Recreation Area Beach
Swimming takes place at a designated lake beach within a broader multi-use day-use area that also includes a boat launch, marina, and playground; the lake itself supports motorized boating and water skiing alongside swimming, so this is a developed reservoir beach rather than a secluded natural swimming hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located on Sutton Lake near Sutton, WV, about 3 miles off Interstate 79 near the Flatwoods exit; the campground address given is 1734 Bee Run Road, Sutton, WV 26601.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up USACE day-use beach; visitors park directly at the swimming area. The separate Jeremiah Carpenter Trail nearby leads to the Sutton Dam North Abutment and is not the access route to the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated lake beach with shallow, gently-sloping sand/gravel entry typical of USACE day-use beaches, but Sutton Lake also hosts motorized boating and water skiing nearby, and no lifeguard presence, water-quality monitoring, or roped-off swim-only zone was confirmed in official sources, so supervise kids closely around boat traffic.
Parking
Lot
Recreation.gov describes 'plenty of parking for those who want to drive in at the day use area swimming beach and marina' -- direct vehicle access to the beach, no hike-in required. No fee schedule for day-use parking was found.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets are confirmed at the adjacent Bee Run Campground; recreation.gov's own campground listing notes dedicated restroom facilities specifically at the day-use beach itself are not detailed, so assume campground vault toilets are the nearest option.
On the water
Sutton Lake supports motorized boating and water skiing lake-wide (per Wikipedia and prior sourcing); the on-site Sutton Lake Marina, located at the same 1734 Bee Run Road address as the campground/beach, rents houseboats, pontoon boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards. No swim-zone or no-wake restriction near the beach itself was documented.
Rentals nearby
Houseboat rentals (including the 'Miss Mak', 2-bedroom, sleeps 6+), pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals, kayak rentals, and other water-toy rentals; boat docking for visitors with their own craft
1734 Bee Run Road, Sutton, WV 26601 -- directly adjacent to Bee Run Campground and the swimming beach, about 3 miles off I-79 Exit 67 (Flatwoods)
Backstory
Sutton Lake was formed by Sutton Dam, authorized under the 1938 Flood Control Act, built 1956-1961 (210 ft high, 1,178 ft long, concrete), primarily for flood control on the Elk, Kanawha and Ohio Rivers; the Corps credits it with over $375 million in avoided flood damage.
Bee Run Recreation Area Beach: FAQ
Is Bee Run Recreation Area Beach kid friendly?
Designated lake beach with shallow, gently-sloping sand/gravel entry typical of USACE day-use beaches, but Sutton Lake also hosts motorized boating and water skiing nearby, and no lifeguard presence, water-quality monitoring, or roped-off swim-only zone was confirmed in official sources, so supervise kids closely around boat traffic.
Do I need to hike to reach Bee Run Recreation Area Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Bee Run Recreation Area Beach?
Recreation.gov describes 'plenty of parking for those who want to drive in at the day use area swimming beach and marina' -- direct vehicle access to the beach, no hike-in required. No fee schedule for day-use parking was found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Bee Run Recreation Area Beach?
Sutton Lake supports motorized boating and water skiing lake-wide (per Wikipedia and prior sourcing); the on-site Sutton Lake Marina, located at the same 1734 Bee Run Road address as the campground/beach, rents houseboats, pontoon boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards. No swim-zone or no-wake restriction near the beach itself was documented.
What are the rules at Bee Run Recreation Area Beach?
Adjacent Bee Run Campground rules include a 14-day stay limit per 30-day period, prohibition on unlicensed motorized vehicles (ATVs/UTVs/golf carts), one primary occupant per site at check-in, and a pack-out-your-trash policy; no swimming-specific regulations were found.
What water body is Bee Run Recreation Area Beach on?
Bee Run Recreation Area Beach is on Elk River, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Sutton
Sutton Lake Beach
Sutton, West Virginiareservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedBulltown Swim Area - Burnsville Lake
Napier, West Virginiareservoir
⛺🛶🚤
Bulltown Swim Beach
Napier, West Virginiareservoir
⛺🛶🚤
★ Top verifiedBlue Bend
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginiacreek
⛺
★ Top verifiedGlade Creek Falls
Beaver, West Virginiawaterfall pool
🥾 1 mi hike⛺
★ Top verifiedColes Point Boat Ramp
Hot Springs, Virginiareservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤