Gauley Tailwaters Campground

I arrived at this site to find hundreds of people. Apparently, it ranks among the most popular white water rafting locations in the country. When the Summersville Dam does a big release, its a huge party. People were fun, respectful and good natured. It was quite a party, lol.
By Sunday night, the rafters and kayakers had left and there were about a dozen serious campers at this free site. Again, super nice people and I met some full-time travelers like me.
There are camper bathrooms, non-flush as well as port-a-jons, river access, fire rings, picnic tables, hiking, parks and nearby cliff diving, swimming etc.
It's all about the outdoor here in the West Virginia mountains. I did enjoy Fran's Restaurant and Long Point Restaurant and Bar. Had drinks and watched football with a coal miner, good guy.
You can download a map of the area and find numerous natural resources. I love the area. The camp site was adequate with good camaraderie.

MAP LINK: https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/upload/NERI_ParkMap.pdf

Can’t give higher then a 4
Stayed Mid week May 2018
Bathrooms very clean and odor less
Campsite itself had garbage everywhere !!!!

Many local homless super nice campers
Quiet at night
Bring bug spray! Very humid
Gualey River great for kids and dogs

If you need a one nite to crash and don’t want to pay for dry camping - it’s worth it

Signs everywhere saying it’s closed. Damn COVID!

No frills, free camping area. Sites are pretty close together and all are sloped, but we’ve paid for worse. Mostly grass with gravel main drag. We can hear the river down below, but can’t see it from the sites. Surrounded by tall trees providing nice shade by late afternoon. Base of a COE dam.

Even if all the sites weren’t taken, i would not have stayed here! It’s just a parking lot with fire rings all smack dab next to each other. I had more privacy just staying at a rest stop off the interstate.

I love this FREE site. its basic but had hands down the cleanest hole in the ground restroom probably thanks to the river power making sure the waste doesn't stagnate so as far as camp latrines go its great which can make a simple campsite like this a treasure. if you are planning on spending all your time at the lake and just need a place to heat up dinner and sleep this is a great choice.