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Songer Whitewater Rafting
Categories: Hotels & Travel Tours Active Life Rafting/Kayaking Tours, Rafting/Kayaking [Edit]
PO Box 300Fayetteville, WV 25840
(800) 356-7238
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
7 reviews for Songer Whitewater Rafting
7 reviews in English
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Review from LeeAnn O.
Washington, DC
10/6/2011
Very few people in DC know that world class whitewater rafting is just a weekend getaway away in West Virginia. Yes, its a 5.5-6 hour drive each way, but its worth it every time.
I've been going whitewater rafting with Songer for about 4-5 years now... I've done both the Lower New river in the Spring with them and have rocked the Upper Gauley over a dozen times in the Fall when the Summersville Dam is released over the course of 7 epic weekends for inspections. The Lower New makes for a fun/good introduction to whitewater rafting, while the Upper Gauley offers world class Class V rapids. There aren't many places where you can go over a 14 foot waterfall and live to tell the tale.
Songer always has been, and probably always will be, the last cowboys of whitewater in this part of West Virginia. For years, Songer had the reputation of being the "bad boys" on the water because their guides had more fun and gave customers who wanted a bigger badder ride what they wanted. For years, Songer had the best and most experienced guides who knew each and every rapid better than any other rafting company. Other rafting companies would brag that their rafts never flipped... but that's not a good thing. Do you want a guide who has never had to deal with a raft flipping, or a guide who knows exactly how to go rescue the rafters who he or she knocked out of his raft? But I digress.
Until last year, Songer played by its own rules, and had a certain clientele that went with Songer precisely for those reasons. If you wanted a "normal" ride, you could choose any of the other raft companies. Songer was for the misfits, the rebels, the round pegs in square holes (here's to you Mr. Jobs, RIP). So we come to 2011, my first trip since Songer was bought out by the Rivermen/ClassVI/AdventuresontheGorge conglomerate. Some things have improved... the riverside lunch complete with hot chocolate and a campfire and the heated changing rooms at their new home base, while others leave me nostalgic for the old Songer... no intentional flipping of boats, no more playing around, no more silver bullets in the beer cooler (sorry Bud, you ain't got nothing on Coors).
The good news for now, is that you can still go on an all old Songer guide trip... you may have to fight for it a bit with the conglomerate, which in our experience tried to put us on a Riverman trip. A lot of the old Songer guides have stuck around, some weren't able to come back, and they have dutifully stuck by the new rules. So long as I can get one of the old Songer guides (here's to you Doug, Double Dee, Hobbit, Kevin, and all you old timers), I'll still go and rock the purple boat... go big and hit it hard in a little 4-man raft or go home. Songer is dead, long live Songer!Listed in: Adrenaline Junkies Galore!
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Review from Chuq Y.
I think I'm going to miss the old Songer. Luckily, I got to do the upper G with them a handful of times last year, and it was EPIC. Damn you Charlie Sheen!
The facilities were great, raft guides are world class (I've only ever gone with Hobbit) and the entire experience was amazing. They've since joined forces with Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG), so I'll write an update after we go with them this year.
I'm sure going to miss the party field and the Highwater Lounge.
The Upper Gauley is an amazing river that deserves every little bit of your respect and love. All of the rapids are guaranteed to get your blood flowing and your heart racing. You'll be full of adrenaline when you raft it and for a while afterwards.
Songer provides everything you might need. Photos, videos, t-shirts, wetsuits, food, everything.
They are a top notch organization and I wouldn't raft the Upper Gauley with anyone else. -
Review from Dustin S.
Arlington, VA
6/26/2011
If you give anything less than 5 stars for Songer White Water Rafting you are doing it wrong! I just went rafting for the first time this weekend and it was everything I expected times 100. Our guide Ryan was awesome and kept us entertained the whole time. Multiple parts of the river were you are able to jump out of the raft and float down the river. The rapids were awesome and will hit the Gauley this fall or next year. If you are scared of getting addicted to an activity then rafting with Songer is not for you. I did not hear one person while on the trip say they didn't want to come back!
We stayed in the Old Songer Cabins (the ones with hot tubs) and have no complaints there either. Fire pit, grill, & hot tub...what else do you need for a good time?
The only downside for me was the ~5.5 hour trip from the DC area.
To sum everything up, this is the single best activity I have done in my life! Thank you Songer! -
Review from Katherine H.
Vermilion, OH
3/15/2011
Love my Songer! Miss em.
Miss cooking Chili for them (and winning their contest).
Cabins or tent camping... the facilities are clean and the bar is always fun. There are two areas for camping- the quiet area and the fun area.
Just know that if you need the quiet.. don't camp in the fun area.
The actual ride is always fun, scary and I always learn something new about the waters. The guides are great (please tip em!) and each has a different personality and so each trip is new with each of the guides.
If you can get a group of 6 or 8 of your friends this is best.
Kids going on the rougher waters- their age recomendations are correct, don't put your kids in danger!
The Gauley can be awfully rough in October- good for people who have experience or are good swimmers (You can survive a 200 meter sprint). New River is more scenic puncuated with great water.
Horseback riding nearby is also a lot of fun.
See you on the water! -
Review from Laura D.
9/29/2009
Best whitewater rafting trip ever, I gosh darn guarantee it. The rapids are sick, and they're not fooling around when they say "Go hard or go home". We did a weekend camping trip and rafted the Upper Gauley in the middle of Gauley season (mid-sept to oct), and it was by far the most intense rafting I've done.
I got kicked in the jaw and stuck under the raft, but it was worth it for the numerous class IV and V rapids. Our guide Double D was funny and chill, though I got the impression he didn't like to get in the water much since he always made sure our raft got safely through the rapids. Some of the guides get a kick out of flipping the raft as much as possible. Air temp was chilly (60s) and it was rainy, but the water was fairly warm and the wetsuits helped. My puke green wetsuit had holes in the knees, probably cuz I'm the size of a child and need an XS. Most of the wetsuits were much better looking. Though I can guarantee they've all been peed in daily.
We skipped the picnic lunch along the river cuz of the rain, so we ate once we got back while we watched the video they put together of your trip. I also appreciated the sodas and Coors Light they had on the busride back to camp, even though I couldn't stomach a beer at the time. We also purchased bfast and dinner at Songer, which included eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits for bfast, and steaks cooked to order with corn and potatoes for dinner. Beat cooking at the carmpfire in the rain.
Songer tells you they're more fun and adventurous than the other outfitters in the area, and I believe it. They'll take you through rapids other companies won't, but always with safety in mind. Their guides are not only super cool, but seem to really have the necessary experience and know-how. Most people we met were in their 20s and 30s, and everyone was friendly and chill.
You camp in a big open field, perfect for partying after rafting. The rain put a damper on some of the bonfires and mingling amongst campsites... I'm jealous of the group just setting up the day we left, who were preparing to have a huge party with a bonfire, loud music, and jello wrestling. The intensity doesn't stop on the river.
I can't wait to do it all over again, maybe in the spring, but for sure next Gauley season. I just hope it's better weather! -
Review from Barrie C.
San Antonio, TX
9/16/2008
I recently went white water rafting through Songer on the Upper Gauley River. It takes about five hours to drive there from DC, which is a pain, but it's totally worth it. My group had a fantastic time. I'll break it down:
Accommodations: We camped out in the big field right next to the Songer office. It's your standard campground, but what's nice is that they have small fire pits and picnic tables for you. The one minor bad thing though is that the place turns into a huge party into all hours of the night. Not necessarily bad, but if you have to get up at 6 AM to get ready for your rafting trip, it's annoying that people are blasting music until 4 AM. Bring ear plugs.
Facilities: The shower/changing room was cleaner than I expected, which was nice. They also have a small bar/lounge there in case you run out of alcohol or you want to watch football.
Rafting (the river): So much fun. I recommend the Upper Gauley, as it has more Class IV and Class V rapids than the Lower Gauley or the New River, and there's less down time between them. They also provide sodas and beer for the bus ride back, which I thought was a nice touch.
Rafting (the guide): We had Paul, who is the best...guide...ever. He's laid-back and funny and instructs you on what to do without being a drill sergeant. Seriously, he's the man. You should request him. Another good guide if you want a more active experience is Mark. He will flip your boat repeatedly if you ask him to.
Overall, it was a great time. If you want a fun outdoor experience while the weather is nice, this is a great weekend getaway. -
Review from Joel S.
3/20/2009 1 photo
(we prepped for the weekend by watching Deliverance(He's got a real pretty mouth on him, don't he?)
every fall the army corps of engineers release the dam and whoosh, we have some good flowing water. Sure you can go other times of the year, but it's just not the same. New River, nah. do the Gauley! Some days it may be a parking lot on the river with 15 rafts waiting to go through each rapid, but it's still worth it. Try and go on Sunday or even better a weekday, less crowded.
Early fall the air temperature is warm and the water temperature is cold, don't worry, you're wearing the wet suit that the previous renter peed in. Late fall the air temperature is cooler(though you may get a warm day like we did) and the warm temperature is warmer, top of the lake emptying.
best outfit to use on the river - SONGER. you tube upper or lower gauley for a feeling of the rapids, without getting wet
CLASS III, IV and V BABY!!
Pillow Rock
Pure Screaming Hell
Sweets Falls
Lost Paddle
Koontz Flume
Fuzzy Box of Kittens - HA
fun times, no, amazing weekend camping times.
ps - Yes, the moonshine is damn good in West Virginia
