Upper Gauley Whitewater Rafting in a 14 Foot Raft!

Trip Description

The Right Boat for Rafting America's Best Whitewater - The Upper Gauley

Each year, rafters from around the world come to West Virginia to run the Gauley River. (However, many of these folks don’t get to experience all the thrills that this magnificent river offers because they’re not riding in an ACE premier raft.) Almost 20 years ago, ACE pioneered the use of light, agile, 14-foot rafts…perfect for the huge waves, tight chutes, and big drops of the Upper Gauley. Until then, everyone rode in heavier, less maneuverable, 16-foot rafts, or bucket boats. (Sadly, most companies still use these boats for most of their trips.) They charge you more to ride in a smaller raft…if they offer them at all. When whitewater rafting at ACE, your raft won’t be overcrowded and you’ll get the ride you deserve…that’s our guarantee to you!

The Upper Gauley is simply the best 1-day whitewater rafting trip in America! No other river has the Gauley’s unique combination of high volume and tight technical rapids. It’s powerful, relentless, and sometimes…more fun than you can imagine! With near non-stop action and over 50 rapids…including no fewer than SIX Class V+ monsters…there’s nothing like the Upper Gauley anywhere in the country. Our trip begins at the base of Summersville Dam and runs 12 miles of almost continuous rapids. Rapids with names like Lost Paddle, Pillow Rock, Iron Ring, Insignificant, and the incomparable Sweets Falls are truly the stuff of legend. You’ll soon see why people come from literally around the world to paddle the Gauley. In addition to the most agile boats on the river, a trip with ACE offers another advantage you’ll find nowhere else. You’ll be eating right at the base of Sweets Falls at ACE’s private lunch site. This is a front-row seat with covered picnic tables as you watch all the other rafts run the Upper Gauley’s most famous drop. At ACE, the finest trip deserves an exceptional lunch. As you watch the show at Sweets, you’ll enjoy hot grilled burgers, chicken breasts, and tuna steaks…plus a huge variety of salads and veggies. We’ve even put in sanitary facilities so you won’t have to answer Nature’s call behind a tree.

If you need more excitement in your Upper Gauley Rafting adventure then check out our Extreme Upper Gauley Trip. If you have a larger group, or you want a more stable ride then maybe a Traditional Upper Gauley is right for you.

You may know that ACE is the only company to raft the Gauley all summer long. Our spring summer Gauley river trips have become very popular. With our combination of four fleets of different size boats and eight access points, we can run the Gauley at almost any water level. This makes a difference on the Fall Gauley too. ACE logs more miles on the Gauley than anyone. About 100,000 customer miles every year! On a river like the Gauley, experience is a very important factor in your safety and enjoyment. Once you raft the Gauley with us, you’ll see why more rafters have chosen ACE as their Gauley outfitter for the last 15 years. There is a difference and we think you deserve the best of everything.

Trip Format

The Upper Gauley in a 14' Premier Raft

The Upper Gauley is full force excitement. Seven Class V-V+ rapids, one being the infamous 14-foot waterfall known as "Sweet's Falls." Crowds of people stick around Sweet's to watch the other boats come through. Once you are through, you can join in the stadium atmosphere as you enjoy your hot grilled lunch and anticipate more massive waves in the afternoon. Your 14-foot raft will offer even more adventure as you maneuver through the rocks for the best possible ride. This trip is recommended for experienced rafters.

The Season

Autumn, The Season for Whitewater Rafting on the Upper Gauley

Autumn colors and a festive atmosphere! Water is warmer as the season progresses into the end of October. This is due to the fact that at the beginning of the season, water is coming off the very bottom of the lake, and towards the end of the draw down the water is coming from closer to the top of the lake where it has been warmed by the sun. Wetsuits are highly recommended. This river is rated No. 2 in North America and No. 6 in the World. It's known for it's whitewater during the fall flow.

What To Wear

What To Wear And Bring

Pile, wool or acrylic sweater Polyester or wool long johns wool and/or rubber gloves, ski Cap Nylon Windbreaker Wetsuits and neoprene booties are strongly recommended. Wetsuits are available for rent at ACE. NO COTTON!!!!!!

Lunch

Riverside Gourmet Lunch

Hot grilled lunch at Sweet's Falls. Watch the thrills and spills as other rafters take on the single biggest drop on the Gauley! Primitive bathroom facilities and a covered eating area are exclusive to ACE's lunch spot. Heaters will warm you up on chilly fall days as you eat and watch the most exciting rapid of the day from your front row seat ACE provides!

River Map

Rapids of The Gauley River