The festival is a showcase for American Whitewater and the top whitewater vendors in the boating community. The festival will feature live entertainment, a whitewater marketplace, raffle, and a silent auction where you can pick up some awesome outdoor gear. Come out and join us for a weekend of great paddling, exciting camaraderie, live entertainment, killer boat raffles, and the infamous silent auction.
This year’s party will feature live music from The Late Shifters. Attendees will also have a chance to renew their vows to American Whitewater with membership support and receive a commemorative token.
Interested in volunteering at Gauley Fest? Sign up here https://www.tfaforms.com/5146426
Interested in a Vendor Booth at Gauley Fest? Register here: https://store.americanwhitewater.org/products/gauley-festival-booth-spaces-registration
Festival Schedule
Thursday, September 17
-
10:00 AM Vendor & Volunteer Registration Opens
-
12:00 PM Festival Campground Opens
-
12:00 AM Quiet Hours Begin(family campsites located behind cabins near main entrance)
Friday, September 18
-
6:00 AM Gauley River Release
-
8:00 AM Vendor & Volunteer Registration Opens
-
5:00 PM Festival Marketplace Opens
-
7:00 PM No more vehicle access to the inner festival grounds permitted for the night (visitors and campers must walk from parking area)
-
9:00 PM – 11:30 PM Dance Party
-
12:00 AM Quiet Hours Begin (family campsites located behind cabins near main entrance)
Saturday, September 19
-
6:00 AM Gauley River Release
-
8:00 AM Volunteer Registration Opens
-
8:00 AM 4-H Breakfast at the Dining Hall Opens
-
2:00 PM Festival Marketplace Opens
-
5:00 PM AW Silent Auction Opens
-
7:00 PM No more vehicle access to the inner festival grounds permitted for the night (visitors and campers must walk from parking area)
-
7:00 PM to 10 PM Live Music
-
10:00 PM AW Membership Drive Closes
-
10:00 PM Silent Auction Closes
-
10:15 PM Raffle Drawings
-
11:00 PM to Midnight Live Music
-
12:00 AM Quiet Hours Begin (family campsites located behind cabins near main entrance)
Sunday September 20
-
6:00 AM Gauley River Release
-
8:00 AM 4-H Breakfast at Dining Hall Opens
-
9:00 AM Festival Breakdown and Cleanup Begin (please pitch in and fill a trash bag to help show the community we care)
-
11:00 AM Camping and Vehicle Parking On Site Ends
Online tickets are available for 2026!
Tickets are:
$60 for Thursday Entrance (for Th/Fr/Sat camping and admission)
$50 for Friday Entrance (for Fr/Sat camping and admission)
$40 for Saturday Entrance (for Th/Fr/Sat camping and admission)
Dogs are discouraged from attending but if they choose to go anyway, pet entrance is $20
Ticket sales will go up in early September by $5, so grab your tickets early!
All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater’s river conservation and access work throughout the nation.
