First visit
Elk River
Fish the Elk below Sutton Dam, camp at the lake, and see whether the sulphur hatch comes off in the evening.
Full guide to Elk River →Reservoirs, trout water, developing rail-trail
Mountain Lakes
The geographic center of the state and its least-visited region. Three Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs, at Sutton, Burnsville and Stonewall Jackson, provide the flatwater the region is named for. The Elk River runs through it as a cold tailwater below Sutton Dam, holding wild and holdover brown trout, and warms downstream into smallmouth bass water. The Elk River Rail Trail and an accompanying water trail are being developed along a 73-mile corridor.
This is the least-visited region in West Virginia and it contains the Elk River, the state's strongest trout fishery. The low visitation is part of why the fishing holds up.
Three reservoirs, a cold tailwater, a rail-trail being built out along it, and very little competition for any of it.
Our recommendations
What we'd do here
Second visit
Holly River State Park
Holly River State Park. Eight thousand acres of narrow hemlock valley with waterfalls and trails that are rugged for a state park.
Full guide to Holly River State Park →What locals do
Burnsville Lake
Camp at Bulltown, paddle Burnsville Lake, and fish for muskie on water that sees very little pressure.
Full guide to Burnsville Lake →One day here
Morning on the Elk's catch-and-release water, an afternoon paddling Sutton Lake, and evening back on the river for the hatch.
Practical note
Check the Sutton Dam release schedule before you plan to wade. Flows change on a generation schedule and being mid-river when they come up is dangerous.
Signature places
- Elk River — catch-and-release trout water plus outstanding smallmouth downstream
- Elk River Rail Trail and Water Trail, developed together
- Sutton, Burnsville and Stonewall Jackson lakes for flatwater, bass and camping
- Holly River State Park and Kumbrabow State Forest
- Cranberry Wilderness backcountry from the south
- Big Ditch and Bulltown for quiet-water paddling
Where to base yourself
Itineraries in this region
What this region does best
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Flatwater Paddling
Boating & Motorboating
Rail Trails
Hiking
Camping
RV Camping
Kayak Fishing
Also here: Hunting · Water Trails · Tubing
Every place we cover here
9 named destinations in this region.
River · Mountain Lakes
Elk River
One of the finest and least-known trout fisheries in the Appalachians.
Tailwater cold year-roundWild browns fishery
Trail · Mountain Lakes
Elk River Rail Trail
A developing rail-trail on the former Buffalo Creek & Gauley and Elk River Railroad grades, opening a long, remote corridor along the Elk between Gassaway and Clendenin.
73 mi planned corridorDeveloping status
State Park · Mountain Lakes
Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park
A 2,650-acre lake with the most developed resort facilities of any West Virginia lake park — a lodge, marina, Arnold Palmer golf course and the state's largest open-water fetch for small-boat sailing.
2,650 ac lake82 mi shoreline
Lake · Mountain Lakes
Sutton Lake
A 1,440-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Elk River in Braxton County, with several campgrounds, quiet coves and the dam that creates the Elk tailwater fishery below.
1,440 ac lakeCorps managed
Lake · Mountain Lakes
Burnsville Lake
A 968-acre Corps reservoir on the Little Kanawha with the Bulltown Historic Area on its shore — Civil War earthworks, a preserved farmstead and a well-regarded campground.
968 ac lakeBulltown historic area
State Park · Mountain Lakes
Holly River State Park
West Virginia's second-largest state park at 8,101 acres, in a narrow valley of hemlock and hardwood with waterfalls, cabins and a rugged trail network.
8,101 ac park2nd largest state park
State Park · Mountain Lakes
Cedar Creek State Park
A 2,483-acre park in Gilmer County with three small fishing lakes, a campground and a network of easy trails.
2,483 ac park3 fishing lakes
State Park · Mountain Lakes
Watters Smith Memorial State Park
A preserved nineteenth-century homestead in Harrison County with a museum, farm buildings, a swimming pool and quiet woodland trails.
532 ac park1796 settlement date
Golf Course · Mountain Lakes
Stonewall Resort Golf Course
An Arnold Palmer Signature course on the shore of Stonewall Jackson Lake, attached to a state park resort lodge.
Arnold Palmer signature designLakeside setting
On Instagram
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Local outfitters, lodging and shuttles
Regional placement for operators based in or serving the Mountain Lakes. Capped at three per page.
List your business hereQuestions about the Mountain Lakes
What is the Mountain Lakes known for?
This is the least-visited region in West Virginia and it contains the Elk River, the state's strongest trout fishery. The low visitation is part of why the fishing holds up.
What can you do here in one day?
Morning on the Elk's catch-and-release water, an afternoon paddling Sutton Lake, and evening back on the river for the hatch.
Which counties are in this region?
Braxton, Webster, Nicholas, Clay, Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, Upshur.
Where should I base a trip here?
Sutton, Summersville, Buckhannon, Weston, Webster Springs, Clay.
Organizations working here · 6
Agencies, watershed groups and access organizations tied specifically to this region.
Buckhannon River Watershed Association
Nonprofit
Buckhannon River watershed protection, monitoring and river recreation.
Visit
Elk River Water Trail
Nonprofit
Elk River paddling access developed alongside the Elk River Rail Trail.
Visit
Elk River Trail Foundation
Nonprofit
Supports the Elk River Rail Trail, Water Trail and the BC&G trail system.
Visit
USACE — Sutton Lake
Federal
Central West Virginia reservoir with campgrounds, bass fishing and flatwater paddling.
Visit
USACE — Burnsville Lake
Federal
Quiet Braxton County reservoir with camping, boating and muskie fishing.
Visit
Elk River Trail
Nonprofit
Growing rail-trail and water trail corridor along one of West Virginia's best trout and smallmouth rivers.
Visit