GLEN JEAN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The National Park Service (NPS) is inviting public feedback on a proposal to rehabilitate and expand the Gauley Tailwaters Campground in Nicholas County.
The campground, a hub during the Gauley River rafting season, has been in operation since the park’s creation in 1988 and is overdue for upgrades to improve its accessibility and usability for future visitors.
Situated along the headwaters of the Gauley River, the campground is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts from around the world.
Gauley Season attracts rafters to tackle the river’s Class V and VI rapids, often swelling the campground beyond its capacity of 16 campsites designed for 64 campers to over 100 or even 200 visitors.
The proposed project includes relocating the 16 existing campsites to a forested area, providing more space and enhancing the camping experience.
The new layout would feature 11 RV sites and 5 walk-in tent sites, all meeting federal accessibility standards. Each campsite would be equipped with picnic tables, durable tent pads, fire rings, lantern poles, and campsite markers.
A group camping area would also be added at the campground’s southern end, and the space currently occupied by campsites would be repurposed as a larger day-use parking area.
Additional upgrades include the installation of modern, fully accessible restroom facilities and the construction of approximately two miles of new trails.
These trails would improve recreational opportunities and emergency access to the Gauley River.
Informational kiosks would be placed at trailheads and within the campground to enhance visitor experience.
A gravel access road with a one-way loop turnaround would connect the new campsites, while a back-in turnaround would provide access to the tent and group camping areas.
The proposal is available for public review on the NPS planning website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GauleyTailwatersCG starting December 3, 2024. Comments will be accepted through January 3, 2024.
The NPS encourages feedback to help shape the project, which will proceed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
