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Lower Gauley Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip on the Gauley River



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Paddlesports Schools:

Class VI Mountain River Kayak School
Located in:
Lansing, WV

More Details
Our Website
Rafting isn't the only way to do whitewater. While kayaking may seem intimidating at first glance, there's actually a proven, teac (more...)
 
 
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Lower Gauley Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip on the Gauley River

Related River Guidebooks on AllAboutRivers

Atlas & Gazetteer: West Virginia
Atlas & Gazetteer: West Virginia
in West Virginia Road Maps
Whitewater Classics
Whitewater Classics
in International River Guide Books

Fall Colors on the Lower Gauley - Roller Coaster Rapid at 2500 cfs
Pure Screaming Hell Rapid at 2500 cfs Pure Screaming Hell Rapid at 2500 cfs Pearly Gates Rapid at 2500 cfs Lower Stairway Rapid at 2500 cfs

Lower Gauley Info
Use this information at your own risk. See our legal notices.
Put In:  Peters Creek
Take Out:  Swiss
Difficulty:  Class III , Class IV
Gradient:  23 ft/mi
Run Length:  8 miles
Current Streamflow:  1990 cfs @ 02/10/2011 08:00 AM - GAULEY RIVER ABOVE BELVA, WV, reading taken from USGS
Flow Information (phone):  304-529-5127, recorded message with release in cfs
Good Level:  1000-7000 cfs
Season Comments:  May, June, July, August, September
Primary Season:  Fall drawdown releases occur for six weeks in Sept
Permit:  No permits currently required.
Character/Similar To:  Big and pushy but not as difficult as the Upper Gauley nor as dangerous. Length rapids with pools following.
Water Craft:  kayak,wwcan,raft
Land Ownership:  Most of the land along the banks of the river is considered public.
Wilderness:  Yes, but many commercial and private boaters during the fall release season.
Camping on River:  Yes, small beaches and potential small camps along the river. The private access points used by many commercial outfitters can support large camps. Permission must be received prior to use.
Location:  In the Mid-Atlantic (WV), 70 miles Southeast of Chaleston, WV
Shuttle Logistics:  Put-in:Turn west off of US 19 onto WV 129 which is 6 miles south of Summerville. Cross the top of Summersville Dam and continue west to WV 39. Turn left onto WV 39 west. Turn left onto Peters Creek Road (marked 22). Cross the one lane bridge and railroad tracks and stay right. Follow this road to the river. Friday-Monday during the fall release season, you will have to park on the road and walk about .5 mile down to the put-in.

Take-out: Return to WV 39 west and proceed through the town of Swiss. Turn left onto South Swiss Road and continue about a mile. Cross the railroad tracks and take an immediate right into the access parking lot.

One-way shuttle time estimate: 25 minutes


Towns near Lower Gauley Kayaking

Beckley West Virginia
Charleston West Virginia
Davis West Virginia
Fayetteville West Virginia
Harpers Ferry West Virginia
Hico West Virginia
Hinton West Virginia
Lewisburg West Virginia
Oak Hill West Virginia
Summersville West Virginia


Other Resources

Southeastern Kayak Clubs
  • Burned Out Canoe Club
  • West Virginia Wildwater Association

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