Gauley River National Recreation Area
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Gauley River National Recreation Area, West Virginia (Skip Brown/National Geographic/Getty)
The 25 miles of Gauley River and six miles of Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural features. Dropping more than 668 feet through 28 miles of rugged terrain, the Gauley is famous for its outstanding whitewater and is one of the most technical rivers in the nation. The Meadow River gradient averages 88 feet per mile. Read More »
Gauley River National Recreation Area Highlights
- Foaming whitewater is not the only thing to be seen on the move in and around the Gauley River National Recreation Area. As many birders now know, more than 200 bird species have been spotted there (albeit not simultaneously).
- Although the recreation area affords only limited public access and has no public camping facilities, there are ways for you to have the pleasure of camping close to this spectacular river and also the nearby New River.
- If you're an angler looking for some action, try your skill and luck on the Gauley and New rivers and some of their tributaries, and especially on Summersville Lake. These bodies of water are among the state's finest sport fisheries.
- Raft the burly Gauley River, a tooth-jarring ride that bolts right out of the gate with five Class V rapids in the first 12 miles. Each September, the fleeting river-rafting season comes to life with a controlled water release from the upriver Summersville Dam, which ushers in six weeks of utter whitewater mayhem—arguably the East Coast's best.
- Climb the sandstone cliffs rising out of 2,790-acre Summersville Lake. Fayetteville-based Hard Rock Climbing leads rock rats to some of the more remote pitches by way of a pontoon boat, which acts as a moving base of operations. Swimming and a deli lunch come as added bonuses.
- Take a bike ride on the Cranberry Tri-Rivers Rail-Trail, a 16.5-mile path that follows a former coal-mining and timber railway grade out of Richwood and along the Cherry River to its confluence with the Gauley. The easy gravel road, gentle gradient, and scenic surrounds make this a good option for families and casual cyclists.
- Fish for largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, and trout in Summersville Lake. This is a great place to introduce the kids to angling, and there’s camping right on the lake's shore. Surrounding rivers, such as the New, Gauley, and Cranberry, also serve up some stiffer challenges in the form of smallmouth bass and the elusive muskellunge.
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Gauley River National Recreation Area Travel Q&A
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What's your favorite hike? Where's the best campsite? Join the conversation! Ask Your Question
What You Can Do in Gauley River National Recreation Area
Articles & Advice on Gauley River National Recreation Area
- Putting the Wild in Whitewater
- Rafting West Virginia's Most Furious Rivers with the Region’s First Outfitters
- Good Gauley!
- West Virginia's Whitewater Mecca
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Parks Near Gauley River National Recreation Area
- New River Gorge National River,WV (25 mi.)
- Monongahela National Forest,WV (67 mi.)
- Douthat State Park,VA (68 mi.)
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