West Virginia | South-central West Virginia / natural-flow Gauley River
Gauley RiverCurtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access
Gauley River Curtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access is a 12.4 mi Class II-III(IV) run documented by American Whitewater and official access partners.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Twelve-point-four-mile natural-flow Gauley intermediate run from Curtin Bridge to Persinger Creek, with boulder drops, a direct Craigsville stage gauge, and a strict release-product boundary.
Access map
Put-in
Curtin Bridge / Route 20-55 public river-left access at Cherry confluenceCurtin Bridge access uses a gravel road and river-left carry near the Cherry confluence; do not block the private gate, highway, or shuttle traffic.
Take-out
DNR Persinger Creek Fishing AccessPersinger Creek is a DNR fishing access; confirm the ramp/shoreline, parking, downstream boundary, and any seasonal closure before leaving a shuttle.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Curtin Bridge access uses a gravel road and river-left carry near the Cherry confluence; do not block the private gate, highway, or shuttle traffic.
- Persinger Creek is a DNR fishing access; confirm the ramp/shoreline, parking, downstream boundary, and any seasonal closure before leaving a shuttle.
- Intermediate banks and private access roads are not automatic bailouts. Carry enough daylight, food, water, and rescue equipment for a committed 12.4-mile run.
Watch for
- USGS 03189100 stage below 11 ft, above 15 ft, or rising sharply; at high levels the route can approach Class IV and should be reassessed by an expert team.
- Boulder drops, strainers, submerged debris, cold water, private banks, limited cell service, and changing access/road conditions.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Gauley River near Craigsville, WV. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named route corridorCurtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access; 12.4 mi; Class II-III(IV)
WVU documents the route length, class, boulder-drop character, public Curtin Bridge put-in, and DNR Persinger Creek take-out with exact coordinates.
- Gauge relationshipUSGS 03189100 at/near Curtin Bridge
USGS provides continuous stage and discharge at the Craigsville station near the put-in. The 11–15 ft product band is a conservative interpretation of the published 11 ft minimum and high-water Class IV escalation; it is not a substitute for a current visual scout.
- GaugeUSGS 03189100 stage telemetry
Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Gauley River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Curtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access route on the Gauley River?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the Curtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access route on the Gauley River start and end?
This route starts at Curtin Bridge / Route 20-55 public river-left access at Cherry confluence and ends at DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access, 12.4 mi on the water.
Is the Curtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access route on the Gauley River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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