Gauley River Rafting in West Virginia
The Gauley River in West Virginia is recognized by paddlers as one of the top ranked rivers in the world. Its technical rapids, inaccessibility and scenic quality contribute to its world class designation. Dropping more than 650 feet in 24 miles, the Gauley River features over 100 rapids.
Two distinct 12-mile sections offer their own personality and flair. The Gauley River is a dam-controlled watershed and the scheduled fall release dates ensure optimum flows for rafting. This is truly a world class rafting experience and River Expeditions recommends a two-day adventure on the Gauley River for maximum enjoyment of the most premier stretch of whitewater in the country.
Summer water flows on the Gauley River allow another dimension in rafting and a very different perspective of this wild river. Intermediate to advanced rafters will delight in the challenges of this trip highlighted by cool, crisp water and clean mountain air.
The Gauley River offers truly exceptional rafting opportunities. River Expeditions runs trips on the Gauley River in the summer from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, based on water flows. Then beginning the Friday after Labor Day the fall draw down of Summersville Lake begins and brings Gauley River to its peak rafting flows. Raft the Gauley River in the summer and the fall for two completely different perspectives of this wild, scenic river.
2010 Fall Gauley Release Dates:
September 10 - 13; 17 - 20; 24 - 27
October 1 - 4; 8 - 11; 16 - 17
Upper Gauley River Rafting
The legendary Upper Gauley River is the top rated single-day trip in the country. This high impact adventure features monstrous whitewater and the most nonstop action you’ll find anywhere. The Upper Gauley can be tempermental and feisty - the ultimate whitewater experience.
Big, technical rapids which demand precise maneuvering and test your teamwork are hallmarks of the famed Upper Gauley. You’ll encounter steep drops, narrow chutes and rocky ledges that heighten your senses and keep your adrenaline pumping.
Due to the intense nature of this trip, previous rafting experience is highly recommended (minimum age of 16). The Upper Gauley demands physical and mental stamina and beckons only serious whitewater enthusiasts.
| Upper Gauley River | Weekday | Sun | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafting Only | $115 | $135 | $165 |
| Camping Package | $145 | $175 | $205 |
| Hotel Package (Starting At) | $215 | $245 | $285 |
| Minimum Age: 16 | |||
| *Overnights Require a Minimum of 6 Rafters to book. | |||
Upper / Lower Gauley River Overnight Package
This premium trip includes two full days of rafting on the Gauley River. Day one you'll be on the intense Upper Gauley section and the adventurous Lower Gauley on day two. After the first day, you'll set up camp riverside and relax before dinner is served. Make memories with friends around the campfire after sharing a delicious meal, prepared by your guide-turned-gourmet-chef. Fall asleep under the stars to the river's gentle rhythms and wake refreshed before having a hearty breakfast and setting out for day two and the wild and scenic Lower Gauley River. After rafting on day two, return to camp at River Expeditions basecamp overnight and enjoy another lite breakfast before heading home the following day. Make the most of all the Gauley River offers on this premium two-day rafting expedition.
Traditional overnight whitewater rafting trip....Riverside Overnight Packages Include:
- 2 Days Rafting
- 1 Night Riverside Camping, 2 Nights Basecamp Campingli>
- Lite Breakfast each Morning at Basecamp, 1 Hot Breakfast Riverside
- Round-Trip River Shuttle
- Delicious Riverside Deli Lunch on the River Each Day
- Complimentary Beverages after Rafting Each Day
- Hot Showers
- Deluxe Dinner Cookout after Rafting First Day
- Minimum of 8 People Required
| 2 Day Upper & Lower Overnight | Fri-Sat | Sat-Sun | Sun-Mon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Camping | $305 | $305 | $255 |
| Minimum Age: 16 | |||
| *Requires a Minimum of 8 Rafters to book. | |||
New River / Summer Gauley - Dueling Rivers Trip
Experience the best of both rivers in our Dueling Rivers trip. Raft the Lower New River on the first day and then challenge yourself on the Summer Gauley River the second day. These are both exciting, action-packed trips appropriate for adventurous beginners, age 12 and up. Trip includes lite breakfast each day, riverside lunch daily and beverages after rafting each day. You can add camping and meals to create a complete adventure package.
Raft both the New River and the Gauley River!2-Day Rafting and Camping Packages Include:
- 2 Days Rafting
- 3 Nights Basecamp Camping
- 3 Lite Breakfasts
- Round-Trip River Shuttle
- 2 Delicious Riverside Deli Lunches
- Complimentary Beverages after Rafting Each Day
- Hot Showers
- Deluxe Dinner Cookout after Rafting First Day
| New and Summer Gauley Dueling Rivers | start Fri-Sat | start Sun-Thurs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basecamp Camping | $230 | $215 | |
| Rafting Only | $195 | $180 | |
| Minimum Age: 12 | |||
| *Requires a Minimum of 6 Rafters to book this package; based on water flows; available Memorial Day - Labor Day. | |||
Lower Gauley River Rafting
The fall Lower Gauley is considered a moderate adventure and combines exhilarating rapids with magnificent scenery from start to finish.
This high adventure trip feels like a watery roller coaster ride - a favorite among intermediate paddlers. It is set in a pristine wilderness which allows you to marvel at the rugged canyon walls and grandeur between rapids.
Indulge your passion for adventure. This trip is often the next step after rafting the New River, although it is suitable for adventurous beginners (age 12 and up). The Lower Gauley is the perfect prelude to the intense Upper Gauley.
| Lower Gauley River | Weekday | Sun | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafting Only | $100 | $110 | $145 |
| Camping Package | $130 | $140 | $175 |
| Hotel Package (Starting At) | $195 | $225 | $265 |
| Minimum Age: 12 | |||
| *Overnights Require a Minimum of 6 Rafters to book. | |||
Gauley River Double Upper Basecamp Overnight Package
This package includes rafting the top river segment in the country - the famed Upper Gauley River - twice in one day! After the second run of the day, you'll set up camp at our exclusive riverside overnight location and enjoy a cold beverage and a cozy fire. Your guide will prepare a delicious dinner over an open flame that you're sure to devour after working up an appetite paddling all day. After dinner you can relive the day's adventures around the campfire before falling asleep underneath the stars. The next day you will enjoy a hearty riverside breakfast before catching the shuttle back to reality. This is a premium wilderness adventure package. This trip requires excellent physical condition, stamina and previous rafting experience is recommended.
Rafting and Basecamp Camping Packages Include:
- 1 Day Rafting
- 2 Nights camping
- Lite Breakfast each Morning
- Round-Trip River Shuttle
- Delicious Riverside Deli Lunch
- Complimentary Beverages after Rafting
- Hot Showers
- Deluxe Dinner Cookout after Rafting
| Double Upper Overnight | Weekday | Sun | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basecamp Camping | $210 | $225 | $305 |
| Minimum Age: 16 | |||
| *No minimum group size required to book basecamp packages. | |||
Lower / Upper Gauley River Reverse Riverside Overnight Package
This premium trip includes two full days of rafting - warm up the first day on the Lower Gauley and then challenge the Upper Gauley on day two. After the first day, you'll set up camp riverside and relax with a beverage before dinner is served. Make memories with friends around the campfire after sharing a delicious meal, prepared by your guide-turned-gourmet-chef. Fall asleep under the stars to the river's gentle rhythms and wake refreshed before having a hearty riverside breakfast and setting out for day two and the Upper Gauley River. After rafting on day two, you can camp overnight at River Expeditions basecamp and enjoy another lite breakfast before heading home. This is a great way to enjoy all the Gauley River offers.
Raft the Lower Gauley on day one, then take on the world-famous Upper Gauley River!Riverside Overnight Packages Include:
- 2 Days Rafting
- 1 Night Riverside Camping, 2 Nights Basecamp Campingli>
- Lite Breakfast each Morning at Basecamp, 1 Hot Breakfast Riverside
- Round-Trip River Shuttle
- Delicious Riverside Deli Lunch on the River Each Day
- Complimentary Beverages after Rafting Each Day
- Hot Showers
- Deluxe Dinner Cookout after Rafting First Day
- Minimum of 8 People Required
| 2 Day Reverse Overnight | Fri-Sat | Sat-Sun | Sun-Mon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Camping | $350 | $350 | $300 |
| Minimum Age: 16 | |||
| *Requires a Minimum of 8 Rafters to book. | |||
Gauley River Double Upper Riverside Overnight Package
This package includes rafting the top river segment in the country - the famed Upper Gauley River - twice in one day! After the second run of the day, you'll set up camp at our exclusive riverside overnight location and enjoy a cold beverage and a cozy fire. Your guide will prepare a delicious dinner over an open flame that you're sure to devour after working up an appetite paddling all day. After dinner you can relive the day's adventures around the campfire before falling asleep underneath the stars. The next day you will enjoy a hearty riverside breakfast before catching the shuttle back to reality. This is a premium wilderness adventure package. This trip requires excellent physical condition, stamina and previous rafting experience is recommended.
Riverside Overnight Packages Include:
- 2 Days Rafting
- 1 Night Riverside Camping, 2 Nights Basecamp Campingli>
- Lite Breakfast each Morning at Basecamp, 1 Hot Breakfast Riverside
- Round-Trip River Shuttle
- Delicious Riverside Deli Lunch on the River Each Day
- Complimentary Beverages after Rafting Each Day
- Hot Showers
- Deluxe Dinner Cookout after Rafting First Day
- Minimum of 8 People Required
| 2-Day Upper/Upper Gauley River Overnight | Fri-Sat | Sat-Sun | Sun-Mon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Camping | $355 | $355 | $290 |
| Minimum Age: 16 | |||
| *Requires a Minimum of 8 Rafters to book this riverside overnight package. | |||
Full Gauley River Marathon
This trip is for those who want to experience the Upper and Lower Section of the Gauley River in the same day. You'll be paddling 24-miles of whitewater; taking a break in between for lunch at our exclusive Sweet's Falls Overlook. This trip requires excellent physical condition, stamina and previous rafting experience is recommended. Trip includes lite breakfast, riverside lunch and beverages after rafting. You can add camping and dinner to make a complete adventure package.
Rafting and Basecamp Camping Packages Include:
- 1 Day Rafting
- 2 Nights camping
- Lite Breakfast each Morning
- Round-Trip River Shuttle
- Delicious Riverside Deli Lunch
- Complimentary Beverages after Rafting
- Hot Showers
- Deluxe Dinner Cookout after Rafting
| Full Gauley Marathon | Weekday | Sun | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basecamp Camping | $205 | $220 | $265 |
| Rafting Only | $175 | $195 | $230 |
| Minimum Age: 16 | |||
| *Requires a Minimum of 6 Rafters to book. | |||
Spring and Summer Gauley River Rafting
Spend a hot summer day cooling off in the refreshing waters of the Gauley River. Here you’ll enjoy whitewater adventure as River Expeditions offers the use of rafts and/or duckies on this scenic whitewater trip. Experience the Gauley from a whole new perspective! This trip offers challenges for beginner to advanced paddlers; minimum of 6 people required.
Experience the best of both rivers in our Dueling Rivers option. Raft the Lower New River the first day and the Summer Gauley the next – make it a package and include camping and meals at River Expeditions basecamp.
The use of oar-powered rafts on these adventure sections allows your guide more control, with less risk and physical impact on you. So, if you have been reluctant to try these adventures, you can select this option and feel confident that it won’t be too physically demanding.
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28th Annual Ice Breaker Weekend
April 10, 2010 - April 11, 2010Whitewater Season Opener
AMAZING!! On Sunday we rafted the Lower Gauley, and Monday the Upper. One is not necessarily superior to the other, just different. The bigger sibling (Upper) will definitely make you respect the river. I can′t imagine how the poor guys who decided to raft with those other companies must feel. Extreme was professional, safe, yet gave a group of adventurous guys their money′s worth several fold. Thanks to Justin and Spencer, the surfing was awesome. The guys from Mayberry will see you next year. Thanks to the good weather, being the only 4 guys on the river without wetsuits turned out to be great also.Neil Brendle
River Expeditions
- 900 Broadway Avenue
- Oak Hill WV
- 25901
- Toll-Free:
- 1.800.463.9873
- Local:
- 304.574.2827
- Fax:
- 304.574.2834
- Email:
- info@raftinginfo.com