The Big Five

The Upper Gauley River is the epitome of whitewater excitement. The section drops over 335 feet in less than 13 miles, resulting in high-volume and technical whitewater from start to finish. Consistently rated one of the top five rivers to raft in the world, and one of the top three in the United States, this is the Beast of the East.

INSIGNIFICANT

Start out with long line of steep drops that will take you right into an onslaught of pounding waves and huge holes of recirculating water, including a massive pour over.

PILLOW ROCK

One of the more unique rapids you will find, Pillow Rock’s name is self-explanatory. After dodging a minefield of smaller rocks, a massive pillow of water rushes you up and over a building-sized boulder before plunging into a giant wave below.

IRON RING

A favorite for spectators, Iron Ring will roll you down an 8-foot drop and you have work to avoid a boulder and a hole-quickly, quickly! Then you tumble immediately down another 8-foot fall. But the obstacles change depending on water levels, so keep your ears open for instruction.

LOST PADDLE

A full quarter-mile of continuous whitewater with 4 separate drops and a huge wave that leads directly into a 9-foot plunge. You will have to zigzag around rocks, then slide through one of the exit slots at the end.

SWEET'S FALLS

The final challenge of the Gauley’s Big 5 is a 14-foot waterfall. If you’re lined up right, it’ll be a thrilling and fun drop. Keep those paddles ready to avoid tipping on the rock at the bottom, or you might have to swing left into the Box Canyon.