The National Park Service (NPS) will temporarily close the Tailwaters Campground in Gauley River National Recreation Area (West Virginia) at the start of “Gauley Season.”
The closure will begin Tuesday, Sept. 2, and is scheduled to last three weeks, with the campground reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
The Tailwaters Campground, located below Summersville Dam on the upper Gauley River, is a frequent stop for campers and boaters.
Each fall, the upper Gauley attracts thousands of visitors for rafting trips coordinated with scheduled water releases from the dam.
According to the park service, the temporary closure is intended to improve access during this period of high visitation.
“The closure will enable the addition of around 50 additional parking sites for private boaters, assisting with traffic flow, congestion, and overall ease of site use,” a press release indicates.
Gauley Season draws both private boaters and commercial rafting companies. The Tailwaters site has long served as a hub for rafting activity, which has led to heavy congestion during peak weekends.
The press release also confirmed that river put-ins and take-outs will operate as usual throughout the closure. Visitors will not be charged for river access or parking.
In the absence of camping at Tailwaters, several alternative options will be available nearby. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Battle Run Campground at Summersville Lake will remain open.
Visitors may also find accommodations at Summersville Lake State Park or at private campgrounds in the surrounding area.
According to its website, NPS provides primitive camping opportunities at Gauley Tailwaters, situated just below Summersville Dam.
To reach the campground, travelers can take Route 19 at Mt. Nebo, follow Route 129 west across the dam, and then turn left at the river access sign. Bearing right through the parking lot leads to 18 drive-in campsites available for both tents and RVs.
Backcountry camping is also permitted on federally owned lands within the Gauley River National Recreation Area, except where posted otherwise. Campsites in undeveloped areas must be set up at least 100 feet from river access points, trailheads, cliffs, structures, or historic ruins. Stays are limited to 14 days in the same area, and there are no camping fees.
Campfires are permitted only in designated receptacles and must follow strict safety guidelines.