FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (SWVO) – The National Park Service (NPS) has officially closed motor vehicle access to the Meadow River and Gauley River rail grades within the Gauley River National Recreation Area.
This ban includes all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs), and any other form of motorized traffic.
This closure applies not only to federal land but also extends to the Meadow River Rail Trail, which is jointly owned by the Fayette and Greenbrier County Commissions.
According to the NPS, the decision was made in response to numerous safety and environmental concerns.
These include serious accidents leading to major injuries and fatalities, incidents involving driving under the influence, excessive noise, increased littering, complaints of trespassing from private landowners, damage to natural resources, and structural concerns regarding a tunnel along the route.
To ensure compliance, law enforcement has stepped up patrols and is actively enforcing both federal and state regulations in these areas.
Violations may result in fines, arrests, and the impoundment of vehicles.
Officials emphasize that the trails are intended for non-motorized recreational use and urge the public to respect these rules to preserve the area for everyone’s enjoyment.
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