Overview
Sutton is a town of 876 people (as of 2020) in West Virginia. It's located in Braxton County, which is known as "the Geographic Center of West Virginia". Sutton was first settled in 1792, and incorporated in 1860, having been named in honor of one of the early settlers. The area is noteworthy for its Civil War heritage, as well as the Braxton County Monster (aka the Phantom of Flatwoods), a green space alien with fiery red eyes and a pungent odor that reportedly frightened a group of local residents in September 1952 and remains one of the most famous creatures in UFO lore.
Sutton sits directly adjacent to Sutton Lake, regionally popular for outdoor recreation. Sutton's twin town, the smaller town of Gassaway, population 769 is 2 miles west, on the other side of I-79. Flatwoods is a collection of mostly chain businesses adjacent to I-79, about 5 miles north of the town.
The Sutton area, including Gassaway and Flatwoods, is a major highway stop along I-79 in West Virginia, sitting at roughly the halfway point between Charleston to the south and Clarksburg to the north, and it is the last town with significant highway services before or after a more than 40-minute drive southwest on I-79 through a very rural area with sparse population and few services before beginning to enter the Charleston metropolitan area.
The proximity of the Sutton area to the Charleston area, as well being partway between it and the Morgantown-Fairmont-Clarksburg area makes it a popular day or weekend trip from these larger towns.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 4 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sutton
Sutton Lake
Sutton Dam Road. 1,500-acre lake offering bass, catfish and trout fishing; swimming; boat launch ramps; and the 210-foot-high Sutton Dam, completed in 1961.
Mountain Lakes Amphitheater
Live al fresco musical performances.
Landmark Studio for the Arts
Musicals, plays, dinner theatres, dramatic readings, presentations and exhibits. Home to the West Virginia Landmark Players and the Landmark Youth Theatre Project, located in a converted historic Victorian era church. $4…
Burnsville Lake
WV-5 east of Burnsville. 968-acre lake offering fishing, swimming, guide services, boat launch ramps, full-service marina, small game hunting, and the Burnsville Dam. Camping available.
Mountain Lakes Amphitheater
Hosts a summer full of the best entertainment in West Virginia.
Elk Theater
Call for the current film. Offers concessions. Cone screen, showing current releases on weekends seating capacity 250. Circa 1930s. Contributing building in Downtown Sutton Historic District.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CKB North Central West Virginia Airport, Bridgeport — 51 mi away. Directions
- CRW Yeager Airport, Charleston — 52 mi away. Directions
- PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 129 mi away (major hub). Directions
Sutton is on I-79 and US-19, south of Clarksburg and Weston, just north of the spot where I-79 splits west toward Charleston while US-19 heads south to Summersville.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $35–$42 a night (typical $42), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$120, comfortable ~$210.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sutton Lake, Mountain Lakes Amphitheater
- Lunch Cafe Cimino
- Afternoon Mountain Lakes Amphitheater
- Dinner China Buffet
Day 2
- Morning Landmark Studio for the Arts, Burnsville Lake
- Lunch Waffle Hut
- Afternoon Elk Theater
- Dinner Vae's Diner
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Sutton is on I-79 and US-19, south of Clarksburg and Weston, just north of the spot where I-79 splits west toward Charleston while US-19 heads south to Summersville.
By train
The Elk River Railroad runs between Gilmer and Hartland, stopping in Gassaway, Shadyside and Frametown on the way.
By plane
The nearest major airports are in Clarksburg and Charleston, but the Braxton County Airport (Airport Road, +1 304-765-9031) is also capable of handling light twin-engine aircraft on its 4,000-foot runway.
Get around
- Gassaway Cabs, 201 River Street in Gassaway, +1 304-364-5272.
- Sutton Cabs, 206 Main Street, +1 304-765-5004.
See
- The downtown Sutton historic district is roughly bounded by Main Street, River View Drive and First Street. Walking tours are available.
- Elk St. is the main historic retail street in downtown Gassaway
- Although the county as a whole lays claim to the title, the nearby town of Flatwoods is the precise geographical center of West Virginia.
- Bulltown Historic District, Millstone Run Road off WV-19 in Burnsville, +1 304-853-2371 or +1 304-452-8170. Open 10AM to 6PM daily, mid-May to mid-October. Civil War battlefield, featuring preserved trenches, structures dating to the mid-1800s, a mile-long self-guided trail, and a visitor's center with costumed interpreters and exhibits. The Battle of Bulltown is re-enacted each fall.
See Sutton Lake
Sutton Dam Road. 1,500-acre lake offering bass, catfish and trout fishing; swimming; boat launch ramps; and the 210-foot-high Sutton Dam, completed in 1961.
Do
- Mid-Mountain Lanes, exit 67 off I-79, 304-765-2811. Bowling alley with on-site restaurant.
Do Elk Theater
Call for the current film. Offers concessions. Cone screen, showing current releases on weekends seating capacity 250. Circa 1930s. Contributing building in Downtown Sutton Historic District.
Learn
- The local newspapers are
Braxton Citizens' News, +1 304-765-5193.
Braxton Democrat Central, +1 304-765-5555, Serving Braxton County, West Virginia since 1883.
Buy
Shop Poplar Forest
One of West Virginia's finest and most diverse cooperatives, representing over 200 juried artists and craftsmen of Central Appalachia: glass, quilts, pottery, furniture, books, West Virginia food and wine, baskets, bowls, hand forged ironware, dulcimers, mountain music, toys, dolls and more.
Shop Nanny's Primitives
Handmade primitive furniture, primitive candles, accents, decor, primitive tea-dyed quilts, wall hangings, stoneware, handmade rugs, lighting and more. You can also buy a statuette of the Braxton County Monster.
Eat
Eat Cafe Cimino
Reservations recommended. Serving fine Italian cuisine and other European specialties.
Eat China Buffet
All-you-can-eat buffet with appetizers, main courses and desserts, as well as an abundant menu.
- Giovanni's Pizza, in Burnsville, +1 304-853-2001. Italian cuisine, including pizza and spaghetti.
Eat Waffle Hut
Home-cooked food, great food and service. Exxon Gas Station.
Eat Vae's Diner (Ole City Diner)
Family cooking.
Sleep
Stay Conrad Motel
Go next
- Summersville is about 40 minutes south on US-19.
- Weston is about 40 minutes north on I-79.
- Glenville is 45 minutes north; 25 minutes west of Burnsville Lake on WV-5
- Fayetteville and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is about 1 hour south on US-19
- Clarksburg is about 1 hour north on I-79.
- Charleston is about 1 hour southwest on I-79.
- Richwood is about 1 hour south
Nearby
Glenville
City / town · 2 listings · 20 mi away
Clay
City / town · 9 listings · 24 mi away
Summersville
City / town · 15 listings · 27 mi away
Helvetia
City / town · 11 listings · 28 mi away
Weston
City / town · 15 listings · 29 mi away
Richwood
City / town · 12 listings · 32 mi away
Buckhannon
City / town · 12 listings · 34 mi away
Spencer
City / town · 8 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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