Gauley River National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Vacations

Gauley River National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Rafting the Gauley River, West Virginia
Class V Lost Paddle rapid on the Gauley River, West Virginia (courtesy, Bob Byrd)

Gauley River National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Alistair Wearmouth

  • 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.


Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Opossum Creek Retreat
PO Box 221
Lansing, WV 25862
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 8.2 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Summersville Lake Retreat
278 Summersville Lake Rd.
Mt. Nebo, WV 26679
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 6.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
ACE Adventure Center
P.O. Box 1168
Oak Hill, WV 25901
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 18.2 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
All Gauley River National Recreation Area Hotels
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Wildwater Expeditions
P.O. Box 155, US 19 & Milroy Grose Rd.
Lansing, West Virginia 25862 Map
Distance: 10.6 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Wildwater Expeditions is a small outfitter... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
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Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Brooklyn to Southside Junction Trail
c/o New River Gorge National River, P.O. Box 246
Glen Jean, West Virginia 25846
Distance: 22.2 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

The Brooklyn to Southside Junction Trail is... Read More

Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
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Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Cranberry/Tri-River Rail Trail
Nicholas County
Distance: 8.1 Miles (from destination center)
Description: This is a 16.5-mile path that follows a former... Read More
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
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