The Gauley River Legend
Superlatives abound when talking about the Gauley River. Here's what some authors of whitewater guidebooks have to say:
"The Gauley River stands out as the classic big water run in the East." Whitewater Home Companion
"...the best two-day whitewater rafting trip in North America." Whitewater Rafting in North America
"Pull out all the stops to describe this run. It’s the absolute swirling, pounding, crashing end!"
Wildwater West Virginia
One of our personal favorites is a quote from Neil Armstrong, fighter pilot, test pilot and the first man to walk on the moon, describing his Gauley River trip:
"the most exciting experience of my life."
When you're ready for North America's most intense and exciting river experience, join us on the Gauley River...and become part of the Gauley River legend.
|
|
|
|
The "Beast of the East"
The Gauley River is truly a World-Class river. Rated in everyone's Top Ten, the Gauley's steep, technical whitewater is intimidating and demanding.
High Adventure Upper Gauley River
(Trip 16)
The Upper Gauley River is simply the best one-day whitewater run in America. It's wild, relentless, scary and more excitement than you can imagine.
|
With 12 miles of nearly non-stop action, and no fewer than SIX Class V+ rapids, there's nothing like the Upper Gauley River anywhere! From the base of Summersville Dam, over a million gallons of water per minute come thundering into the Gauley's steep and rocky riverbed. World-Class rapids include Shipwreck, Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, and the incomparable Sweets Falls. This is truly the stuff of legend!
No other American river can match the Gauley River's combination of size, power and technical complexity. For 22 glorious days each Fall, West Virginia and the Gauley River become the epicenter of the rafting world.
Rates for Gauley River Trip #16
|
|
Gauley Marathon
(Trip #18)
The whole river in 1 incredible day! From the put-in at Summersville Dam to our private take-out at Sugar Creek 23 miles later, this is 1 fabulous day of whitewater action. You'll run over a 100 named rapids...over 60 are Class III or better, including 6 Class V+ monsters!
|
|
Don’t try this one unless you're in real good physical shape...it's a full day of big-time action. Remember, with ACE, there's no 3-1/2 miles of flatwater at the end of the trip. This is the best 1-day river trip in the country!
|
|
 |
Gauley Reverse
(Trip #14)
Mother Nature may have put the Upper Gauley first, but we don't have to raft it that way. The "Reverse" runs the wild and scenic Lower Gauley the first day, and saves the hard-driving Upper Gauley for Day 2. We return to the ACE Adventure Center after the first run so you can enjoy the amenities and our top-quality lodging options.
|
This is the ideal trip for those who haven't done the Gauley previously. Warm up and whet your appetite on the Lower on Day 1, then thrill to some world-class Upper Gauley rafting on your second day.
|
|
|
|
Gauley Double Upper
(Trip #19)
Do the very best part of the river, including the famous "Big Six" rapids, twice in a single day. We'll run the Upper Gauley to the Mason Branch take-out (just below Sweets Falls), ride a bus back up to the dam...and do the whole thing again!
Don't choose this option unless you are in great physical shape...this is one aggressive day of paddling, with over 70 rapids and 20 miles of whitewater!
Rates for Trip #19
|
|
|
Team Extreme Upper Gauley
(Trip #17)
Awesome power takes control of the raft as you feel the adrenaline rush to your brain, everything is in slow motion because your thinking faster than your senses can perceive. Technical hydraulics and deafening rapids pound the craft at 2300+ cubic feet a second... this is a West Virginia black hole.
|
|
We invented this trip some 13 years ago. Let our "Team Extreme" specialists show you the wildest ride on the Gauley River. We use state-of-the-art 12-foot, 5-person rafts. We surf, we explore, and we run some very aggressive routes. To join this trip you must be in excellent health & a strong swimmer. Previous Class V rafting experience is required.
Rates for Gauley River Trip #17
|
|
Rise and Shine Upper G
(Trip 116)
First trip of the day. Large raft helps to moderate the ride. Lunch included! Get back early and enjoy some of the amenities at ACE.
Rates for Trip #116
|
|
|
|
|
Instant Replay
Overnight Trip
(Trip #20)
Shoot the rapids of the mighty Upper Gauley, camp riverside, then go for the Upper Gauley again on Day 2. This awesome trip is for those adrenaline seekers who can't get enough of those big Class V+ rapids. We'll camp riverside in the middle of the Gauley Canyon. After a hearty camp dinner and breakfast, we'll return to the Dam for Day 2 of our Instant Replay and challenge the Upper again.
Rates for Trip #20
|
|
|
|
Traditional Riverside Overnight
(Trip #121)
See the entire Gauley from start to finish over the period of two days. Start with the upper Gauley's screaming, pounding, accelerating roller coaster ride of fun. Slow down and rejuvenate at the riverside campsite. Your guides will serve up a delicious dinner at our clean private park-style facility. Your riverside tent is already set up and a good nights rest comes easily after an exciting day..
|
The next day enjoy the middle section with its scenic beauty, then prepare for the crashing climax on the lower with rapids like "Pure screaming H*ll" and the single biggest hit on the Gauley at "H*ll Hole" then it off to Sugar Creek our exclusive takeout and the end of the adventure.
|
|
| The Lower Gauley River |
Lower Gauley River
There is a difference!
(Trip #15)
With its sheer cliffs and rhododendron-lined banks, the Lower Gauley River is the state's most beautiful river...and Class V too! This section's
14 action-packed miles feature towering waves and raft-munching holes...including three Class V rapids.
Long a favorite of veteran boaters, the Lower hosts rapids like Koontz' Flume, Canyon Doors, Heaven Help You and Pure Screaming Hell.
Rates for Gauley River
Trip #15
|
We recommend the Lower Gauley River to both first-time rafters and experienced paddlers for these reasons:
 Because the trip is two miles longer, there are actually more rapids on an ACE Lower Gauley River trip than on an Upper Gauley River trip. At Mason Branch, we start at Mile 9, providing more river and less flatwater. (Most of our competitors start at Mile 15 and end their trip with over 3-1/2 miles of flatwater paddling to the take-out at Swiss.
The biggest waves, highest jump rock and biggest holes are on the Lower Gauley River.
An ACE hot grilled lunch at our private lunch spot is a Lower Gauley River exclusive.ACE's lunch spot also has rustic rest rooms.
ACE’s exclusive private take-out at Sugar Creek lets us avoid the anticlimactic 3 1/2 miles of flatwater that everyone else gets to paddle at the end of the Lower Gauley River.
ACE’s Best Trip Guarantee...your lightest, quickest, most maneuverable 14-foot 7-person self-bailing raft.
|
|
Team Extreme Lower Gauley
(Trip #27)
Turn up the volume! We'll tackle the lower in our big dog, 12', Gung Ho rafts. Strong swimming skills required. reserved in multiples of 4 or 5 guests.
Rates for Trip #27
|
 |
|
 |
Traditional Lower Gauley
(Trip #115)
Fall colors create the backdrop for exciting action. Larger raft (like our competitors use) helps to moderate the ride.
Rates for Trip #115
|
|
