Gauley River National Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gauley River National Recreation Area |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Gauley River National Recreation Area
Location in West Virginia
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | West Virginia, United States |
| Area | 11,507 acres (46.57 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,375 ft (419 m) |
| Established | 1988-10-26 |
| Visitors | 128796 |
| Operator | New River Gorge National River |
| Website | Gauley River National Recreation Area |
The Gauley River National Recreation Area is a special place in West Virginia, USA. It protects a 25-mile (40 km) part of the Gauley River and a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) section of the Meadow River. This area is mostly wild and natural. You can't reach many parts of it by car. The best way to explore is often by boat on the river! At one end of the park, you'll find the impressive Summersville Dam.
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About the Gauley River Area
This recreation area was created on October 26, 1988. It covers about 11,507 acres of land. That's like protecting over 8,700 football fields! The area is managed by the same group that looks after the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It's a great spot for outdoor adventures.
What is a National Recreation Area?
A National Recreation Area is a special type of protected land in the United States. These areas are set aside for people to enjoy outdoor activities. This includes things like hiking, fishing, and boating. They also help protect important natural places. The Gauley River area is perfect for river sports.
Exciting River Rapids
The Gauley River is famous for its exciting rapids. Rapids are parts of a river where the water flows very fast over rocks. This creates a thrilling ride for rafters and kayakers. Within the Gauley River National Recreation Area, you'll find many Class V rapids.
Understanding River Difficulty
The "International Scale of River Difficulty" helps people know how challenging a river is. It goes from Class I (very easy) to Class VI (extremely dangerous). Class V rapids are considered very difficult and exciting. They are only for experienced paddlers.
Famous Gauley River Rapids
Some of the well-known Class V rapids in the park have unique names. These names often describe how the water moves or what the rocks look like. Some of these famous rapids include:
- Insignificant
- Pillow Rock
- Lost Paddle
- Iron Ring
- Sweet's Falls
Exploring the Area
Since much of the park is not reachable by roads, river travel is key. Many people visit the Gauley River for whitewater rafting. This is a popular adventure sport. The Summersville Dam area is the only part of the park you can easily drive to. It's a great spot to start your visit.
