National Recreation Area
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Gauley River National Recreation Area is a National Recreation Area in West Virginia. The NPS currently lists 0 active alerts, 1 campground and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.
West Virginia National Recreation Area No entrance fee
Updated · NPS Data API
About the park
“The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. The Gauley River contains several class V+ rapids, making it one of the most adventurous white water boating rivers in the east.”
Active alerts
0
Closures
0
Campgrounds
1
Visitor centers
1
Current alerts and closures
The NPS listed no active alerts for this park in the Oct 28, 2026 snapshot. Conditions can change; check current conditions on nps.gov before you go.
Entrance fees and passes
This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.
Things to do
Activities the NPS lists for Gauley River.
BoatingCampingCar or Front Country CampingRV CampingFishingFreshwater FishingPaddlingKayakingWhitewater RaftingJunior Ranger Program
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Operating hours
The area is open year round. The official Gauley boating season is from early September through mid October.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | All Day |
| Tuesday | All Day |
| Wednesday | All Day |
| Thursday | All Day |
| Friday | All Day |
| Saturday | All Day |
| Sunday | All Day |
Weather: Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area.
Contact and directions
- Phone
- 304-465-0508
- [email protected]
- Address
- Gauley River National Recreation Area, Glen Jean, WV 25846-0246
- Coordinates
- 38.2061, -81.0042· View on OpenStreetMap
Visitor centers
| Visitor center | Standard hours | Phone | Passport stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Rim Visitor Center | Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Wed 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Sun 9:00PM - 5:00PM | 304-465-0508 | Yes |
Campgrounds
| Campground | Total sites | Reservable | First-come | RVs | Fee | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauley Tailwaters | 18 | 0 | 18 | Yes, up to 25 ft | Free | — |
Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.
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More parks in West Virginia
Appalachian National Scenic TrailBluestone National Scenic RiverChesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ParkChesapeake BayHarpers Ferry National Historical ParkLewis & Clark National Historic TrailNew River Gorge National Park & PreserveAll in West Virginia
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Nearest other NPS sites
Sources
- Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
- Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/gari/index.htm
- Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.