Gauley River Information Sheet
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 1 hour prior to your scheduled trip time. If you arrive after your scheduled check in 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. |
For local
information: |
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: Rustic Cabins: Our cabins provide a cozy shelter from the elements plus the comfort of a soft place to bed down at night. They feature six bunks with double-size mattresses, electricity, lights and porch. You supply pillows or linens and blankets. $65 per cabin per night plus tax Sunday through Thursday; $75 per cabin per night plus tax on Friday or Saturday. Call 800-USA-RAFT for reservations Hotels/Motels/Cabins: |
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 Fayetteville
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
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Summer
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Also bring for after your trip:
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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.