Basics
- River:
- Gauley River
Description
The Gauley River in Fayetteville, West Virginia, is ranked in the top ten rivers in the world for whitewater rafting! The river’s popularity is in part due to the huge amount of water released from the Summersville Dam in September and October. This world class river offers lots of options for all types of rafting experiences on its three different segments: The Upper, The Lower, and The Middle.
The Upper and Lower part of the Gauley river both range from a class III to V. The Upper is the most intense with six class V rapids, cliff drops, legendary waves and violent chutes. This is an amazing stretch of whitewater but not one for beginners. The Lower Section is made up of three class V rapids but welcomes adventurous beginners. The Middle is the most laid back with its class I-III rapids and lots of pools in between for some swimming and laying around.
The Gauley River is a must do river for any whitewater enthusiast. The scenery is gorgeous with steep cliffs and awesome sandstone along the entire way. Make sure to sign up early for a tour though because spaces fill up fast.