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Where to stay near Gauley River National Recreation Area

The Gauley River National Recreation Area protects about 25 miles of the Gauley below Summersville Dam in Nicholas and Fayette counties. Controlled dam releases in September and October create Gauley Season, six weekends of Class V whitewater that draw commercial rafting traffic from across the country. Summersville, Fayetteville and Craigsville are the closest towns.

Places to stay near Gauley River National Recreation Area

We're still adding properties near Gauley River National Recreation Area.

In the meantime, you can also browse places to stay in Summersville , Fayetteville and Summersville Lake .

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Where should you stay near Gauley River National Recreation Area?

Gauley River National Recreation Area has no lodging of its own, so visitors stay in the surrounding towns and drive in.

Gauley River National Recreation Area is known for its campgrounds, cabins and hotels. Until listings go live here, Summersville, Fayetteville and Oak Hill are the closest places to stay.

Where it is
Gauley River National Recreation Area, Fayette County, West Virginia
Also worth a look
Summersville, Fayetteville, Summersville Lake, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
What people do here
Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking and Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Rock Climbing

Nearby attractions

  • Summersville Dam

    A rockfill dam on the Gauley River completed in 1966, one of the largest of its type in the eastern United States. Its fall drawdown releases create Gauley Season whitewater.

  • Summersville Lake Lighthouse

    A 104 foot wooden lighthouse at Mount Nebo above Summersville Lake, built in 2012 and open for climbs to the lantern deck. It is the only lighthouse in West Virginia.

  • New River Gorge Bridge

    A steel arch bridge carrying US 19 for 3,030 feet across the New River Gorge, 876 feet above the water. It opened in 1977 and is the site of Bridge Day each October.

Things to do

Where to stay for rafting tripsWhere to stay for paddlingWhere to stay for fishingWhere to stay for hikingWhere to stay for rock climbing

When it gets busy

Events that affect lodging near Gauley River National Recreation Area
EventWhenWhat to expect
Gauley Season Scheduled dam releases on about six consecutive weekends starting the weekend after Labor Day Release weekends fill rafting-outpost lodging, campgrounds and cabins across Nicholas and Fayette counties, often booked a year out by returning groups.

Nearby

Gauley River National Recreation Area: what people ask

When is Gauley Season?
Gauley Season runs the six weekends after Labor Day, when the Army Corps of Engineers draws down Summersville Lake. Weekend releases are the reliable big-water days.
Where should I stay for a Gauley rafting trip?
Summersville is closest to the put-in below the dam. Fayetteville and Lansing are about 40 minutes south and hold most of the outfitter base camps and cabins.
Where should I stay near Gauley River National Recreation Area?
We're still adding properties near Gauley River National Recreation Area. In the meantime, you can also browse places to stay in Summersville, Fayetteville and Summersville Lake.
What is there to do near Gauley River National Recreation Area?
Gauley River National Recreation Area is a good base for whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, hiking and rock climbing. Summersville Dam, Summersville Lake Lighthouse and New River Gorge Bridge are all within a short drive.
When is the best time to visit Gauley River National Recreation Area?
The busiest weekend of the year is Gauley Season, held scheduled dam releases on about six consecutive weekends starting the weekend after labor day. It is worth planning a trip around, and it is also the weekend when lodging books up months in advance.
What towns are near Gauley River National Recreation Area?
Summersville, Fayetteville, Oak Hill and Gauley Bridge are all good alternatives if Gauley River National Recreation Area is fully booked. Each location has its own page with details on available listings.
What else is near Gauley River National Recreation Area?
Summersville Lake and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are all close by, and each has its own page with places to stay nearby.

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