Gauley River National Recreation Area — Attraction in Summersville

I've rafted on the upper and lower Gauley River for twelve years now. It's an amazing River and also has a nickname of "Beast of the East" regarding the challenge of rafting and kayaking. This officially became a US national Park just a few years ago. Definitely a beautiful place to visit during early fall. Lots to do and see in the area. I've always stayed with a company called adventures on the gorge which is a recreation and rafting outfitter as well as lodging and other activities like ziplining. Nearly every year they have something new or have upgraded part of their facility which is really nice to see them invest the money each year. If you've never been I highly recommend. If the upper and lower Gauley sound a bit too intense you can also raft or kayak on the New River which is...

Tailwaters Campground Pros: right at dam/put-in for boating. Free. Has put toilets for men/women but about 50yds away are flush toilets and running sinks (plus electrical outlets). Fire rings, picnic tables, trash dumpsters on site

Cons: sirens for dam releases go off several times btwn 4-6am so bring strong earplugs. Not hammock friendly - had to strap to vehicle or up hill which was a bit treacherous. Tons of trash around - the amount of bottles and trash behind camp to river was tragic. Copperheads - someone was on the gravel road to bathroom and was bitten by a copperhead, went to ER. Can be noisy - people driving thru at all hours...

I 've really only barely scratched the surface of things you can do along the Gauley. That day, I was just visiting one of the many tributary waterfalls that are along the river. It got a little confusing as the county road you need to take to see this waterfall had purple paint and no trespassing signs on an open gate that can be closed to prevent access in or out. A local told us one of the rating companies did it but people still go down the road to the river.. Exploring along the Gauley can be a waterfall enthusiast's dream. I just hope we don't have issues with companies claiming county roads as their own and...