West Virginia is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the world.  

The Gauley River is open throughout the year for rafting and kayaking, but water levels (and thus rafting feasibility) can vary significantly depending on rainfall and dam releases.  However, for 6 weekends every fall, the river comes alive with some of the most challenging and spectacular commercially-raftable whitewater in the country.

The Gauley is partially fed upstream by the Summersville Dam, along with four other rivers.  On weekends from Labor Day to mid-October, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water from the dam for winter flood control, providing a reliable and powerful flow of about 2,800 cubic feet per second (cfs).  These scheduled releases dramatically increase the river’s flow and create world-class rapids.

Rafting the Upper Gauley during Gauley Season means paddling through 12 miles of beautiful West Virginia wilderness, while battling 50+ rapids, including 5 Class V rapids and a 14-foot Waterfall at Sweet's Falls.