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Camper submitted image from Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area - 1

Camper submitted image from Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area - 2

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area - 3

Nature

Water

Roads

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

7 Reviews

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About

National Park Service

Gauley River National Recreation Area

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Location

Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area is located in West Virginia

Directions

Located just below Summersville Dam. From Route 19 at Mt. Nebo, take Route 129 west across the dam, then turn left at the river access sign. Bear right through the parking lot to the campsites.

Coordinates

38.21689752 N
80.889626 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Poor
T-Mobile
Fair

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Shannon S.

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 30, 2024

Beautiful scenery

This was the best camping experience. waking up to the sound of the river and then paired with the most gorgeous view. unbeatable. way worth the drive to get there. loved every minute

Month of VisitApril

Maddi P.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2023

Nice free camping on the river

The campsite was clean, quite and a short walk to the river. Bathrooms available but less fancy and not as well maintained as a state park bathroom. I had great cell service. I’d stay here again plus I’m telling all of my climbing friends about this place for their New river gorge trips.

Month of VisitJuly

Jeremy C.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 16, 2021

basic & free

there are bathrooms and tap water, but no electrical or showers. you park right next to your tent. you can walk down to the gauley river. you may see many white water rafters here for this reason.

Site1

Month of VisitNovember

Mary B.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2021

Great free campsite

I stayed in 3 of the free campgrounds around & this one was my favorite. There was a sink w running water in the bathrooms down by the dam. I expected the campsites to feel cramped but they are set up so that you park your car next to your site, & that gives a lot of privacy. Fire rings & sounds of running water from below as you sleep 😴

Month of VisitAugust

Josh M.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 4, 2019

Simple. Free. Next to the dam

Ruby W.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 27, 2019

Free Camping with Amenities

Whenever we go and rock climb at New River Gorge on a budget, we stay at this free site. They have CLEAN bathrooms, water hookups, showers, tables, fire rings, and grills. Each time we’ve stayed at the site, we’ve met really cool climbers and families. Great place for the adventurous group on a budget, or a family that would like to fall asleep listening to a river. Very close to Summersville Lake, where there is a lot of boating, deep water soloing, and hiking.

Amber W.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2019

Best free camping, HANDS DOWN

Close to any store you may need, flat & comfortable sites, no bath house but potties are very convenient. Whether you're fishing, rafting, swimming or kayaking there's plenty of options here!