Gauley Season: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
From our first campers in 2010 from the World Class Kayaking Academy to the orphaned group from Swiss who started the Not Swiss Fest in 2012, private boaters and kayakers have always been a big part of Tawney Farm's Gauley River Wild & Woolly Primitive Campground.
At the end of every summer, the US Corps of Engineers starts the winter lowering of the Summersville Lake with weekend releases of water. The huge amounts of water released from the dam creates massive Class II-V rapids on the Gauley River. This is the beginning of the Gauley whitewater season! The season always starts the weekend after Labor Day and runs through Bridge Day at the New River Gorge Bridge which is always the 3rd weekend of October. So depending on when Labor Day falls, it is either a 6 or 7 weekend season. Thousands of boaters from across the country and around the world descend on the Beast of the East, the Gauley River to test their whitewater skills and meet up with old friends. The river is divided into sections, the Upper, Middle and Lower Gauley. Gauley River Wild & Woolly Primitive Campground is perfectly located on the Middle Gauley, just minutes away from the take-out for the Upper and put-in for the Lower. Super convenient for private boaters because it cuts down on shuttle time. More time to sleep in and more time to relax and/or celebrate! During Gauley season, we discontinue our private camping and open our field to hundreds of boaters from practically everywhere!
GAULEY SEASON 2024
The 2024 season begins September 6 and ends October 19. The first weekend is a huge celebration as we welcome back old friends and make new ones.
NEW CAMPING CHOICES
This year, campers will have a choice between two festival-style camping fields as well as a few private sites. Festival-style camping will continue as usual in our large main pasture field, Sites 4, 7 and 8 (mountaintop field) and now at our new property at the entrance to the farm on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20 per person per night for festival-style camping.
At the end of every summer, the US Corps of Engineers starts the winter lowering of the Summersville Lake with weekend releases of water. The huge amounts of water released from the dam creates massive Class II-V rapids on the Gauley River. This is the beginning of the Gauley whitewater season! The season always starts the weekend after Labor Day and runs through Bridge Day at the New River Gorge Bridge which is always the 3rd weekend of October. So depending on when Labor Day falls, it is either a 6 or 7 weekend season. Thousands of boaters from across the country and around the world descend on the Beast of the East, the Gauley River to test their whitewater skills and meet up with old friends. The river is divided into sections, the Upper, Middle and Lower Gauley. Gauley River Wild & Woolly Primitive Campground is perfectly located on the Middle Gauley, just minutes away from the take-out for the Upper and put-in for the Lower. Super convenient for private boaters because it cuts down on shuttle time. More time to sleep in and more time to relax and/or celebrate! During Gauley season, we discontinue our private camping and open our field to hundreds of boaters from practically everywhere!
GAULEY SEASON 2024
The 2024 season begins September 6 and ends October 19. The first weekend is a huge celebration as we welcome back old friends and make new ones.
NEW CAMPING CHOICES
This year, campers will have a choice between two festival-style camping fields as well as a few private sites. Festival-style camping will continue as usual in our large main pasture field, Sites 4, 7 and 8 (mountaintop field) and now at our new property at the entrance to the farm on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20 per person per night for festival-style camping.
PRIVATE SITES
This year we'll be offering 3 private sites for groups of 4 -10. Sites 5, 6 and a new site by the barn (between Sites 4 and 5) will be available. The cost is $100/night for 4 adults, and $25 for each additional adult up to 6 additional people. These sites are for tent, hammock or vehicle camping. Only 2 passenger vehicles (no RVs, campers, or trailers) per site. All other vehicles must park in main field. Private sites must be reserved in advance and pre-paid. No pets are allowed at the private sites. Contact us here or e-mail us to reserve your private site.
This year we'll be offering 3 private sites for groups of 4 -10. Sites 5, 6 and a new site by the barn (between Sites 4 and 5) will be available. The cost is $100/night for 4 adults, and $25 for each additional adult up to 6 additional people. These sites are for tent, hammock or vehicle camping. Only 2 passenger vehicles (no RVs, campers, or trailers) per site. All other vehicles must park in main field. Private sites must be reserved in advance and pre-paid. No pets are allowed at the private sites. Contact us here or e-mail us to reserve your private site.
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PETS
We're very happy to announce that pets are welcome! The new Overflow Field camping site located between our driveway and the Mason Branch access road will also be designated for campers with pets. Pets must remain on a leash and tethered to something at all times and will not be allowed in the main field or at private sites. Pets must not be left at the campsite unattended. Camping in the overflow field will be festival-style with a communal firepit and portajohns provided. The cost is $20 per person per night and a $5/night additional charge for each pet. |
CAMPERS/TRAILERS
There is a $10/night fee for any camper or trailer that is 10' or longer.
LATE CHECK-OUT
We don’t mind that you guys leave your stuff here until you get back from your run on the river. However, you need to have your stuff packed and out of here by 5:00 pm on the day you check-out or you will be charged for another day.
FIRE PITS
Tawney Farm will provide a limited number of fire pits and are considered communal. We will provide one wheelbarrow of wood per day for the communal fire pits. You can bring your own off-the-ground fire pit, but you must get approval from us before you use your own fire pit. We will provide a burn mark barrier for you to use, so make sure you check with us before using your own fire pit. Please do not bring firewood from outside the area to prevent the spread of insects and disease. There will be firewood available at a minimal cost of $5/wheelbarrow.
There is a $10/night fee for any camper or trailer that is 10' or longer.
LATE CHECK-OUT
We don’t mind that you guys leave your stuff here until you get back from your run on the river. However, you need to have your stuff packed and out of here by 5:00 pm on the day you check-out or you will be charged for another day.
FIRE PITS
Tawney Farm will provide a limited number of fire pits and are considered communal. We will provide one wheelbarrow of wood per day for the communal fire pits. You can bring your own off-the-ground fire pit, but you must get approval from us before you use your own fire pit. We will provide a burn mark barrier for you to use, so make sure you check with us before using your own fire pit. Please do not bring firewood from outside the area to prevent the spread of insects and disease. There will be firewood available at a minimal cost of $5/wheelbarrow.