West Virginia Gears Up for Seven Weeks of the World’s Wildest Whitewater

Whitewater rafters flock to the Mountain State for the return of Gauley Season

Charleston, W.Va. –  For a limited time, one of America’s newest national parks transforms into a world-renowned whitewater rafting destination, offering some of the most intense whitewater runs in the country. Every fall, more than 60,000 visitors from around the globe flock to The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to experience the exhilarating seven-week period known as Gauley Season.  

Each year, controlled releases from the Summersville Dam are scheduled for seven weeks from the weekend after Labor Day through mid-October, releasing more than 44 million gallons of water into the Gauley River at speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour. These forceful flows create premier rafting conditions, releasing enough volume to fill one Olympic-sized pool every 10 seconds! This year’s season officially kicks off with the first release scheduled for Friday, September 5, at 7:00 a.m.

“It’s a special time in the Mountain State when Gauley Season comes around,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “We anticipate this fall to be one of the most colorful we’ve ever had, and you can have a front-row seat to the show on a whitewater adventure on the Gauley or New Rivers.”

Known for the legendary “Big Five Rapids,” the Upper Gauley challenges even the most experienced rafters with its series of challenging Class IV and V rapids, the final being a jaw-dropping 14-foot waterfall. This section is steep, fast, and technical, earning the nickname “Beast of the East.” Adventurers seeking swifter speeds without such daunting drops are encouraged to raft the Lower Gauley, which offers a less intense float. 

Head to Summersville from September 18 through 21, 2025, to attend Gauley Fest, the largest paddling festival in the world. Held each September at Veterans Memorial Park, this energetic event draws over 5,000 paddlers worldwide for a weekend packed with live entertainment, gear vendors, camping and endless whitewater action. 

Many local outfitters offer exclusive deals in celebration of Gauley Season. To start planning your adrenaline-pumping trip to Almost Heaven today, click here.

Image gallery: linked here. Photo credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism

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This post was last updated on August 27, 2025

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