Forest Road 7 Gauley River Gorge Rim

Forest Road 7 follows the northern rim of the Gauley River Gorge, where whitewater legends like Pillow Rock and Sweet’s Falls thunder 800 feet below. This mining-era access road weaves through coal camp ruins and overgrown strip mines, delivering technical challenges and jaw-dropping overlooks into West Virginia’s wildest whitewater canyon. The route starts near Summersville Dam and threads through rocky switchbacks past abandoned portals where coal trains once hauled black diamonds from the mountain’s belly.

Moderate to difficult depending on recent weather — wet conditions turn the coal dust to slick clay that’ll slide you sideways fast. Stock 4WD with good tires handles it dry, but lockers help when it’s muddy. Best run fall through early spring when leaves are down for better views and summer heat isn’t brutal. No permits needed on this Forest Service road, but fuel up in Summersville — nearest services are 20 miles either direction. Worth it for the adrenaline rush of peering into Appalachia’s Grand Canyon while listening to kayakers battle the Beast below.