• rafters paddling through whitewater

    Gauley River

    National Recreation Area West Virginia

Safety

lifejacket

Taking time to plan and prepare for your visit to Gauley River National Recreation Area will better ensure that it is a safe and enjoyable time. Click on the items above to better understand some of the possible hazards and safety issues you may encounter.

Did You Know?

Raft at Sweets Falls

This first big rapid on the Lower Gauley became known as Mash during an early 1970's descent when a boater named Sam Martin mashed his hand while running this rapid for the first time.