The Gauley River National Recreation Area, located near Summersville, West Virginia, protects a 25-mile (40 km) portion of the Gauley River and a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) segment of the Meadow River in southern West Virginia. Little of the national recreation area is accessible via roads; one must travel via the river. At the upstream end of the park is the Summersville Dam, the only area of the park accessible by vehicle.
Gauley River National Recreation Area | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1] | |
Location of Gauley River National Recreation Area in West Virginia Gauley River National Recreation Area (the United States) | |
Location | West Virginia, United States |
Coordinates | 38°13′12″N 80°53′24″W / 38.22000°N 80.89000°W |
Area | 11,507 acres (46.57 km2) |
Elevation | 1,375 ft (419 m)[2] |
Established | 1988-10-26 |
Visitors | 128796 |
Operator | New River Gorge National River |
Website | Gauley River National Recreation Area |
Within the park are a number of Class V rapids. They have been given names such as: