When the days shorten and the temperatures begin to dip, paddlers get antsy. They do so with good reason—the arrival of autumn in West Virginia means it’s time for the drawdown on Summersville Lake. As the shoreline recedes, chilly water pours into the Gauley River. The river rises with each of these scheduled releases, and with it, the rapids climb to class IV and V. And just like that, it’s Gauley season.
The whitewater world loves Gauley season, and it doesn’t call this river The Beast of the East for nothing. The Gauley River is a monster, and its gnarly rapids draw rafters and kayakers from around the world. In years past, even the entry onto the river was a wild, class IV ride, as rafts used to put in just below the blasting output from the dam’s discharge tubes. Many a paddler has been knocked around on the Gauley, and many have taken a very cold swim. It’s all part of the experience.
There’s more to the Gauley River, however, than being chucked out of your boat. There’s also the biggest whitewater gathering in the world, right in Nicholas County: Gauley Fest. It’s a rowdy party befitting a rowdy river, and it began as a celebration of something that never happened.
In the early 1980s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a long-tunnel hydroelectric project—similar to the one at nearby Hawks Nest—that would have diverted much of the water away from the lower Gauley River. Fortunately, in the face of opposition from environmentalists, residents, and a unified community of paddlers and recreationalists, the project was dropped. The Gauley River National Recreation Area was established, and the joyful paddlers threw a party.
That tradition continues today. This year, it takes place September 17–20 at Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park in Summersville. “This is the largest fundraiser of the year for American Whitewater, a national non-profit 501c(3) river conservation organization,” says the organization’s membership and engagement director, Bethany Overfield. The largest paddling festival in the world is no small event to organize. In the past, Overfield has credited American Whitewater’s staff and a group of hardworking volunteers with the festival’s success. Membership grew in 2025, and a successful festival can encourage 2026 numbers similarly.
Gauley Fest visitors can stay at the campground, enjoy live music, and browse the whitewater marketplace. One of the festival’s highlights is always the silent auction and raffle. The auction tables are filled with boats, paddles, drysuits, camping equipment, guided trips, and outdoor experiences, while proceeds directly support American Whitewater’s work to protect river access, improve public recreation opportunities, and advocate for healthy waterways nationwide. At this festival, everybody wins.
Gauley season begins the first weekend after Labor Day and continues for six weeks. For the first five weekends, water is released from the Summersville Dam from Friday through Monday. During the last two weekends, releases are limited to Saturday and Sunday. The season finishes during the Bridge Day festival at the New River Gorge. It’s not a long run, but it’s an experience paddlers revere, whether it’s their first time or their hundredth. Perhaps more importantly, these journeys are possible because healthy rivers are the result of hard work and dedication. That’s worth celebrating. americanwhitewater.org
First-time Gauley? Five tips before you go.
1. Book your adventure early
Gauley Season is one of West Virginia’s busiest weekends for outdoor recreation. Make reservations for lodging and adventures well in advance.
2. Know your river
The Upper Gauley is famous for class V whitewater and is best left to experienced paddlers and guided rafting trips. The Lower Gauley offers a slightly less demanding ride but still delivers exciting class III to V rapids. If you’re new to whitewater, go with a licensed outfitter.
3. Layer up
September days can be warm, but mornings and evenings in the mountains are often cool. Check the weather, bring extra clothes, and don’t forget sunscreen.
4. Explore the area
Summersville Lake State Park offers hiking and scenic overlooks, the nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area provides excellent fishing and wildlife viewing, and Summersville’s restaurants and shops are a great place to unwind after a paddle.
5. Lend your support
Gauley Fest isn’t just a party—it’s American Whitewater’s largest annual fundraiser. Browse the vendor village, bid in the silent auction or raffle, become a member, and learn more about the work being done to protect rivers across the country.
