2024 Gauley Season Release Dates

When is Gauley Season 2024?

2024 Fall Gauley Season Release Dates are:

September 6th-9th, 13th-16th, 20th-23rd and 27th-30th
October 4th-6th, 12th-13th, and 19th-20th

Gauley Season 2023 Was Incredible. Let’s do it again!

Don’t forget to book that favorite cabin before somebody else beats you to it…

What is Gauley Season?

Gauley Season is the magical time of year when the dam at Summersville Lake is released, creating guaranteed flow on the Gauley River. For 6 weekends in September and October, rafters from around the world visit to take on the Gauley River. The river consists of 2 distinct sections, The Upper and Lower Gauley. These sections are typically each run separately as a full day trip, although you can raft the entire 26 mile Upper and Lower Gauley together as a Marathon Trip.

The Upper Gauley

Known as the Beast of the East, the Upper Gauley is hard-hitting, pulse-pounding whitewater. It’s so good, it’s consistently ranked among the top rafting trips in the world. The 5 class V rapids lead you on a descent down the epic river, with a lunch prepared for you by your guides after the final class V. This trip is not recommended for beginners, so if you’re new to whitewater, check out the Lower Gauley River!

The Lower Gauley

While the Upper Gauley gets all the fame, The Lower Gauley is not to be forgotten. This class V stretch of river is much calmer than her older sister, but her beauty is unparalleled. With rapids like Canyon Doors, where sheer cliffs touch the river and the sky, you’ll see why West Virginia and Gauley Season are Almost Heaven.

So much more than rafting!

While you’re visiting, make sure to check out some of our other amazing adventures! The fall is an ideal time to zipline above the trees on our zipline course, where you can see views of the New River Gorge. Or, climb the world-famous sandstone cliffs of the region on a rock-climbing trip. Stay for a Gauley Weekend in one of our deluxe cabins, or opt to rough it at our Mountain Top Campground. ACE features live music on Gauley weekends at The Lost Paddle Bar and Grill, where you’ll find craft drinks and brews and American classic Cusine.

If you’re visiting during the summer, check out one of our other amazing rafting trips, like the Upper or Lower New River. If high adventure is your thing, try out our Team Extreme Rafting or Ducky trip, where you’ll get to raft the rivers with the best, most extreme flow on the day that you’re rafting.

We haven’t been this excited about Gauley Season since last Gauley Season! With the 2021 Gauley Season release dates waiting to be announced, now is the time to start planning for your adventure to West Virginia and the Gauley River.