Water flow has been known to be four times greater than during dam releases in the spring turning the Gauley into a Class VI challenge meant only for the top paddlers of the world. In the summer, when water flow is at its' lowest, a third more placid section of the Gauley in born. The Middle Gauley, starting west of where the old Carnifex Ferry used to cross the river, is a five-mile stretch of 25 Class II to Class IV rapids. During the fall this section becomes part of both the Upper and Lower Gauley but makes for some excellent paddling. A whitewater adventure in the Gauley River National Recreational Area is usually taken with one of over a dozen National Park Service approved tour companies.
Trips are typically one to two days and offer several different options.
Visitors to the area can take a one day trip down the Upper Gauley, the Lower Gauley or if you are in excellent physical shape a demanding trip down the entire 25 miles of the river. Two day trips offer a couple of unique options. If you have been on Class V whitewater before you can paddle the Upper Gauley for the day and then camp before tackling the lower Gauley in the morning. If you haven't been on whitewater before but still want to tackle the entire river, you can earn your Class V whitewater experience on the Lower Gauley on the first day and test your courage on the Upper Gauley the next.