Rafters enjoying the Gauley River
Gauley River is a popular whitewater river in the fall NPS Photo

Gauley River National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area · West Virginia · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Camping

Camping · RV Camping

Site types & reservations: see the official site.

Know before you go

Phone
304-465-0508
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Military · Battlefields · Wars and Conflicts · Civil War · Animals · Birds · Fish · Forests and Woodlands · Deciduous Forests

Activities & features: Boating · Car or Front Country Camping · Fishing · Freshwater Fishing · Paddling · Kayaking · Whitewater Rafting · Junior Ranger Program

Photos

  • Rafting on the Gauley River
    NPS Photo
  • Trying to stay in the raft on the Gauley River
    NPS Photo
  • Rafting on Gauley River before Sweets Falls fapid
    NPS Photo
  • Watching the boats come by on the Gauley River
    NPS Photo
  • Kayakers coming through Pillow Rock rapid on Gauley River
    NPS Photo
  • Tapping the rock at Pillow Rock rapid on the Gauley River
    NPS Photo
  • Guiding through a rapid on the Gauley River
    NPS Photo
  • One of the many rapids on the Gauley River
    NPS Photo

Nearby parks

Parks of West Virginia

Cabwaylingo State ForestLittle Beaver State ParkCacapon Resort State ParkCass Scenic Railroad State ParkFairfax Stone State ParkCalvin Price State ForestTomlinson Run State ParkBeech Fork State ParkTygart Lake State ParkBluestone State ParkBerkeley Springs State ParkPanther State ForestHawks Nest State ParkWatoga State ParkStonewall Resort State ParkKanawha State ForestWatters Smith Memorial State ParkCamp Creek State ParkAudra State ParkPinnacle Rock State ParkCathedral State ParkNorth Bend State ParkHolly River State ParkPricketts Fort State ParkChief Logan State ParkBabcock State ParkSeneca State ForestNew River Gorge National Park & PreservePipestem Resort State ParkDroop Mountain Battlefield State ParkHarpers Ferry National Historical ParkCanaan Valley Resort State ParkBluestone National Scenic RiverMoncove Lake State ParkTwin Falls Resort State ParkCarnifex Ferry Battlefield State ParkLost River State ParkCedar Creek State ParkBlackwater Falls State ParkValley Falls State ParkKumbrabow State ForestBlennerhassett Island Historical State ParkTu-Endie-Wei State Park

44 parks mapped in West Virginia

You're looking at Gauley River National Recreation Area — the gold marker.

Every dot is a park. Tap one to jump to it.

Browse all West Virginia parks →

Guides for the trip

All guides →

Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12