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WhenToVisitParks

Gauley River National Recreation Area in July

Busy1.2× average month · best-time score 74/100

July at Gauley River National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 61°F, with about 5.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes July a busy month here.

Average low
61°F
Average high
81°F

Range across the year: 21°F to 81°F

Crowds
1.2× averageBusy
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
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  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
5.9 in
Daylight
14.4 hours

Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in July: about 15,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993 to 2025.

That makes July the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (3.6×) and the January low (0.2×).

On our Best Time to Visit score July rates 74/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 71°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.1 miles from the park.

July falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 26% of the year's visitors, so a visit this month means sharing the park with the peak-season crowd.

You'll have about 14.4 hours of daylight in July to explore — near the year-round maximum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 213,596 recreation visits, down 21.7% from 272,898 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 79.1%, so a July visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How July compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
June78°F / 57°F1.0× Average80 Excellent
July81°F / 61°F1.2× Busy74 Good
August80°F / 59°F0.9× Average80 Excellent

All twelve months at Gauley River, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

July averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 61°F at Gauley River National Recreation Area, with about 5.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

July is busy at Gauley River National Recreation Area (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 74/100. Our recommended month is May.

The busiest month is September and the quietest is January. July sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.

A typical July sees about 15,000 recreation visits at Gauley River National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993–2025.

Where to stay near Gauley River in July

Booking a July trip to Gauley River National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live July availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Gauley River

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in July.

Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1993–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.