Gauley
River Information Sheet
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Listed below
you will find the names and descriptions of the different
trips that USA Raft runs on the Gauley River located
in Fayetteville, West Virginia. You will meet at our
outpost which has showers, changing rooms and ample
parking. Trips start on time: Please check in 30 minutes
prior to your scheduled trip time. If you arrive after
your scheduled trip time, you will be accommodated on
the next trip with available space. A Word of Warning:
Space on our trips is usually totally reserved in advance.
Do not expect to arrive late and be able to go down
the river the same day.
Upper
Gauley River Express - World Class. Experience
required. Minimum age 16 years. The Upper Gauley's Wold
Class whitewater attracts paddlers from all over the
country. Tough and technical, this section has it all
- powerful water, steep drops, colossal waves and turbulent
chutes. The run on the Upper Gauley covers about 9 miles
and you will generally spend 5 hours with us (including
trip, transportation, gearing up, and pre trip speech).
Trips run on selected dam release days in September
and October.
Lower
Gauley River Express - Adventure Class. No
experience required. Minimum age 12 years. Similar in
character to the Upper but not quite as intense or technical,
the Lower Gauley has huge waves and includes rapids
like Koontz's Flume and Mash. This is a perfect trip
for veteran rafters and adventurous beginners alike,
not to mention a nice warm up for the Upper Gauley.
The run on the Lower Gauley covers about 10 miles and
you will generally spend 5 to 6 hours with us (including
trip, transportation, gearing up, and pre trip speech).
Trips run on selected dam release days in September
and October.
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For reservations:
1-800-USA-Raft
(304)454-2475
(304)454-2452 fax
raft@usaraft.com
For local information:
Rt. 1 Box 430
Fayetteville, WV 25840
(304) 574-3655
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Middle
Gauley River Express - Adventure Class. No experience
required. Minimum age 12 years. This trip is perfect for the
first time rafter. Although it is tamer than
the Upper or Lower sections, there is still plenty of action
as you encounter Julie's Juicer, Ender Rapids and Backender.
You will have time to swim in the river or plunge into the
water from "jump rock" if you choose. The run on
the Middle Gauley covers about 6 miles and you will generally
spend 4 to 5 hours with us (including trip, transportation,
gearing up, and pre trip speech). Trips run on selected dam
release days in September and October.
Lodging
With USA Raft:
Camping:
We have wooded campsites available at our outpost. You
supply the tent. $5.00 per person/ per night plus tax.
Whitewater Inn:
Located next door to our outpost, the Whitewater Inn is
close & convenient. Rooms are air conditioned &
have cable. A payphone is available outside.
Call 800-USA-RAFT for reservations
Hotels/Motels/Cabins:
Comfort Inn - Fayetteville, WV (304) 574-3443
Holiday Inn - Oak Hill, WV (304) 465-0571
Best Western - Beckley, WV (304) 252-0671
Budget Inn - Beckley, WV (304) 253-8318
Comfort Inn - Beckley, WV (304) 255-2161
Country Inn & Suites - Beckley, WV (304) 252-5100
Courtyard by Marriott - Beckley, WV (304) 252-9800
Days Inn - Beckley, WV (304) 255-5291
Hampton Inn - Beckley, WV (304) 255-2121
Holiday Inn - Beckley, WV (304) 255-1511
Pagoda Motel - Beckley, WV (304) 253-7373
Ramada Inn - Beckley, WV (304) 877-6455
Super 8 Motel - Beckley, WV (304) 253-0802
Hawks Nest State Park Lodge - Anstead, WV (304) 658-5212
Country Road Cabins - Hico, WV (304) 658-5266
Mill Creek Cabins - Lansing, WV (304) 658-5005
Wilderness Lake Chalets - Mt. Nebo, WV (800) 741-1689
Carnifex Ferry Cottages - Mt. Nebo, WV (800) 701-0809 |
Bed
and Breakfasts
Morris Harvey House - Fayetteville, WV (304)574-1902
White Horse Bed & Breakfast - Fayetteville, WV (304)574-1400
Wisteria House Bed & Breakfast - Fayetteville, WV
(304)574-3678
Garvey House Bed & Breakfast - Winona, WV (304)574-3235
Camping and RV Sites:
Babcock State Park - Clifftop, WV (304) 438-3004
Mountain Lake Campground (304) 872-4220
Mountain Laurel RV Park and Campground (304)574-0188
Area Attractions:
For a complete listing contact the
Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors' Bureau
1-800-VISIT-WV
Ridge Rider Mountain Bikes - Fayetteville, WV (304) 574-BIKE
Hard Rock Climbing Service - Fayetteville, WV (304) 574-0735
Bridge Haven Golf Club - Fayette County, WV (304)574-2120
New River Llama Trecking - Edmond, WV (304)574-1117
Theatre West Virginia - Beckley, WV (800)666-9142
Historic Fayett Theatre - Fayetteville, WV (304)574-4655
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine - Beckley, WV (304)256-1747
Tamarack - WV Products - Beckley, WV 1-88-TAMARACK |
Directions: USA's New and Gauley Outpost is located between Fayetteville & Oak Hill, WV off US Rt. 19
From I-77/I-64 - North Beckley/Exit 48:Go north on US Rt.19. The New and Gauley River outpost is 15 miles from the exit. At the fourth traffic light on US Rt. 19, turn right onto Appalachian Drive. The outpost is at the end of the road on the left..
From the North: Pittsburgh, Buffalo.. Go to Morgantown, WV then... From Morgantown, WV: Take I-79 south to U.S. Rt.19 (the Beckley/Summersville exit). Go south on U.S. Rt.19 past the Summersville area, approximately 40 miles. Continue south on U.S. Rt.19, crossing over the New River Gorge Bridge. Continue south to the third traffic light where you'll turn left onto Appalachian Drive. The outpost is at the end of the road on the left
What to Wear:
No Cotton! (No sweatshirts, no sweatpants, no jeans)
Spring
and Fall
- Wet suits are necessary in March, April and October
and recommended in May and September. (If you rent
from us, make your reservations in advance and arrive
45 minutes prior to your scheduled trip time.)
- Swimsuit for underneath your wetsuit
- Waterproof windbreaker or rainjacket
- Wool or polypropylene sweater
- Feet: Wetsuit booties or wool socks and tennis shoes
(Wetsuit booties are available to rent from us. Advance
reservations are necessary.)
- Hands: Wetsuit mittens or wool or polypropylene
gloves covered with dishwashing gloves
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Summer
- Swimsuit
- Shorts
- T-Shirt (for protection from sun)
- Baseball cap or visor
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof windbreaker or rainjacket (paddling jackets
are available at the headquarters on the day of your
trip. No reservations accepted)
- Wool or polypropylene sweater
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Also
bring for after your trip:
- Towel
- Dry clothes
- Dry shoes
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Terms and Conditions
Equipment: You will be provided
with U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V Personal Flotation Devices(Life
Jackets), paddles and helmets.
Terms: Within ten days of your phone call,
you must confirm your reservation with a non-refundable deposit.
Half day and Express trips require a $5 per person, per day
deposit with the balance due 30 days prior to the trip. Day
trips require a $10 per person, per day deposit with the balance
due 45 days prior to the trip. World class rivers require
a $20 per person per day deposit and the balance due 60 days
prior to the trip. No personal checks accepted within 30 days
of scheduled trip; MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American
Express welcome.
Cancellations: If a cancellation must be
made and is given with more than 30 days notice, a refund
will be granted, less the per person, non-refundable deposit.
Otherwise the following schedule applies: Cancellation with
20-30 days notice - 50% refund; 10-19 days notice - 25% refund;
less than 10 days notice - no refund.
Liability: Outfitter and reservations services
assume no liability for personal injury or loss of equipment.
You will be required to sign a personal injury and photo waiver
before your trip. A copy of the waiver is available on request.
Minors: All participants under the age of
18 must have a completed release form signed by parent or
legal guardian. Contact USA Raft for forms.
Consumption of alcohol or drugs is not permitted on
raft trip: Intoxicated persons will be refused, without
refund.
Rates: All rates are stated per person. Prices
include regulatory agency fees but do not include applicable
sales taxes. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Weather: Trips go rain or shine. (You are going to
get wet anyway!)
Outfitters reserve the right to move to a
different section of the river or to another river for reason
of safety or low water, in which case price difference will
be refunded. No refund or rainchecks will be issued unless
outfitter completely cancels the day's events. No cash refund.
All of the forgoing terms and conditions shall be interpreted
under the laws of the State of West Virginia.
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River
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