When does 2024 Gauley Season start in West Virginia?

LANSING, W.Va. (WBOY) — Adventure-seekers from all over the world will flock to West Virginia in the coming weeks to experience one of West Virginia’s most exciting outdoor recreation opportunities.

Gauley Season is a six-week period in September and October when water is released from the Summersville Lake dam, creating some of the best whitewater rafting conditions in the world. The National Park Service describes it as “a watery roller coaster,” with more than 100 different rapids over 25 miles. According to ACE Adventure , one of the premiere whitewater outfitters in the area, Gauley Season was the world’s first-ever mandated whitewater rafting season.

Gauley Season dates for 2024 are Sept. 6-9, 13-16, 20-23 and 27-30 and Oct. 4-6, 12-23 and 19-20.

Choosing Your Route

There are two main sections—the upper and lower Gauley. The upper section is what the area is known for. It offers class III to V+ drops in steep, turbulent chutes, but is a challenging trip recommended for more experienced rafters and has a minimum age of 16. The lower Gauley is more beginner-friendly, although it still has some pretty intense rapids—50 total ranging from class III-V.

Although you can take your own private trips, there are a number of private outfitters, like ACE, Adventures on the Gorge , New & Gauley River Adventures , and Rafting Expeditions , just to name a few.

Safety

Although whitewater rafting is something that draws thousands of people to the state, it can be dangerous. Just last year, two people were killed in rafting accidents during Gauley Season’s opening weekend . For safety and etiquette rules from the National Park Service, click here .

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