NPS photo/Dave Bieri Gauley River National Recreation Area 104 Main Street Glen Jean, WV 25846-0246 Plane The largest airport is at Charleston, about 65 miles from Summersville. There are also small airports at Summersville and Beckley. Car The main entrance to Gauley River National Recreation Area is located off US Route 19 south of Summersville and north of Fayetteville, West Virginia. Turn off US Route 19 onto WV Route 129 toward Summersville Dam. Take the second left after you cross over the dam and follow the signs to Gauley River. 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. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July. Entrance Fee-free This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required. Canyon Rim Visitor CenterCanyon Rim Visitor Center is the closest visitor center to Gauley River National Recreation Area. The primary purpose of Canyon Rim Visitor Center is to act as a visitor contact station for area information and for interpretation of the natural, cultural, recreational, and historic values of the New River Gorge. With an estimated 300,000 visitors each year, the center provides the park with a nationally recognized facility, revealing the beauty of New River Gorge National River to the nation and the world. Public WiFi is not available.
Cell service is spotty throughout the park. 
Operating Hours and Seasons
Check here for information about when to visit. 
Permits and Reservations
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Fees and Passes
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Last updated: February 23, 2021