Fall In Love With Summersville - WV Living Magazine

The Greater Summersville Area offers the perfect escape to appreciate incredible fall colors and experience the unique culture of Southern West Virginia

America’s Best Whitewater

On the Friday after Labor Day each year, the Summersville Dam starts releasing 21,000 gallons of reservoir water per second, instantly transforming the Gauley River into a rushing roller coaster of rapids. It’s Gauley Season! Hailed as one of the best whitewater runs in the world, the Gauley River drops more than 668 feet through 24 miles of high-volume, class III-V rapids, attracting whitewater enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies from around the world to southern West Virginia.

Gauley Season begins the first weekend after Labor Day and continues for six weekends—five 4-day weekends and one 2-day weekend. Be sure to book your trip soon with one of our local, experienced outfitters for a trip of a lifetime!

Take a Drive

Fall is the perfect time to explore our scenic byways and spectacular views. When the leaves start to turn, a drive on the Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway (Route 39), Highland Scenic Highway (Routes 39 and 150), or the Cranberry Corridor (Routes 39, 60, and 219) will take your breath away. Stop along the river bank or next to one of our lakes for a relaxing picnic as you take in the cool temperatures and amazing views.

Appreciate the Arts

The arts community in Greater Summersville is active and ever-growing. The annual Mountain Color Art Show is a weeklong celebration of the arts that takes place every October. The exhibition is non-juried and includes work from award-winning artists from Nicholas and surrounding counties as well as some from across the state. The show begins Sunday, October 6, 2024, with an opening reception and runs through Saturday, October 12, in the upstairs auditorium at Richwood City Hall.

Don’t miss Art Walk Richwood on Saturday, October 12. The Art Walk will take place on East Main Street from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Enjoy fine art and pottery, writers and booksellers, poetry and live music. Food and beer/wine vendors will keep you from going hungry or thirsty as you stroll downtown.

Kirkwood Winery creates more than 30 varieties of wine, some familiar and some experimental, and you can taste them all during one of the winery’s tours. A great time to visit is during their 33rd annual Wine & Music Fest, taking place September 20 and 21. All are invited to “kick off your boots and have a grape stompin’ good time.”