Gauley River National Recreation Area

Gauley River National Recreation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location of Gauley River National Recreation Area in West Virginia
Gauley River National Recreation Area (the United States)
LocationWest Virginia, United States
Coordinates38°13′12″N 80°53′24″W / 38.22000°N 80.89000°W / 38.22000; -80.89000
Area11,507 acres (46.57 km2)
Elevation1,375 ft (419 m)
Established1988-10-26
Visitors128796
OperatorNew River Gorge National River
WebsiteGauley River National Recreation Area

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.