I have reserved the NPS Burnwood Group campground Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights (nights of 9/19/13 through 9/21/13 checking out Sunday afternoon 9/22/13). It will be as years past and all are welcome. The campground is on the left as you're headed north on Rt. 19. It is just north of the bridge and across Rt. 19 from the New River Gorge visitor’s center. It has running water and flush toilets but no showers. Alcohol is allowed but no glass. There is only one good sized fire pit for us. There is a large picnic shelter. We cannot make any new fire rings and we have to leave the place in as good a shape (if not better) than we found it or I get a beat down from the Man. Our camping area is the first one on the left as you enter the campground. Parking is only along the gravel road - no cars are to be out in the field. Leashed pets are allowed but they cannot be left unattended.
BOATING:
LOWER GAULEY FRIDAY:
I’m running the Lower Gauley the Friday of Gauley Fest. First timers with qualified resumes are welcome. If interested, contact me at dkessmann at gmail (period) com.
This trip is quite large and has only been successful in the past because we have split up in to smaller groups. If you are interested in leading or safety boating for a few folks, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Let’s figure on meeting in the parking lot of the former Food Land in Gauley Bridge at noon on Friday. The GPS coordinates are 38.159262, -81.188911. Food Land is on Rt. 60 on the left just before you get to the intersection of 60 and 39 in Gauley Bridge. It was a good sized grocery store. You won’t miss it. It is not the Food Land near the intersection of 19 and 60. Make sure you are at the right one. If you’re not in Gauley Bridge, you are at the wrong Food Land.
NEW RIVER GORGE SATURDAY:
We are meeting at the Burnwood Group Campground (across Rt. 19 from the New River Gorge Visitor’s Center) at 9:30 am Saturday to run the New River Gorge. If it is your first time, contact me (dkessmann at gmail period com) so we can make sure this is the trip for you. Veterans are welcome to just show up but DO NOT be late.
This trip is also quite large and has only been successful in the past because we have split up in to smaller groups. If you are interested in leading or safety boating for a few folks, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Another key factor to this trip’s success is having a concurrent trip on the Upper New (Thurmond to Cunard) so we can work out the PRO shuttle. No one has stepped up to do this though. If you are interested in doing this Upper New trip Saturday and being the person who saved Gauley Fest, please let me know.
Thanks.
2013 is the ninth year for this trip and I’m looking forward to it. This is how it went down the in past years:
Please note that Burnwood is only available Thursday night through Sunday afternoon. It was not OK that I got this email after last year’s trip:
Park Service wrote:Hi Dave,
With regards to any future group camping permits for your group, could you please advise the participants under your permit of the dates that have been reserved for camping and ask that they not show up early requesting to camp the night or nights prior to your approved dates or nights following your checkout date? First, the cost for reserving the Burnwood group camping area is $50/night and, second, the Burnwood group camping area is frequently reserved under Special Use Permit by other groups. Showing up early and taking a chance that the Burnwood camping area is available and requesting to camp prior to the dates approved under your permit will result in an additional charge for the night.
Thanks!
For a full calendar of paddle sports and wilderness first aid course offerings, clickHERE Other options are available, just ask!
I would really like to do this one. What are your thoughts on me bringing my 16 foot Aire cataraft? It would be my Jeep and a trailer. I could help with shuttling as well.
Please note that Burnwood is only available Thursday night through Sunday afternoon. It was not OK that I got this email after last year’s trip:
Park Service wrote:Hi Dave,
With regards to any future group camping permits for your group, could you please advise the participants under your permit of the dates that have been reserved for camping and ask that they not show up early requesting to camp the night or nights prior to your approved dates or nights following your checkout date? First, the cost for reserving the Burnwood group camping area is $50/night and, second, the Burnwood group camping area is frequently reserved under Special Use Permit by other groups. Showing up early and taking a chance that the Burnwood camping area is available and requesting to camp prior to the dates approved under your permit will result in an additional charge for the night.
Thanks!
[/quote]
Just too clarify from last year since I was the one there Thursday. I spoke with THREE park service folks AT burnwood when I arrived. I asked if it was reserved that night, it was not. I offered the $50 fee, the politely declined stating it was fine for just me.
The NPS rep you are dealing with IS NOT the same people in the office at Burnwood.
Sorry you received that email but that is typical of a Federal agency.
FWI you might ought to have said something after last year. .
The campground is on the left as you're headed north on Rt. 19. It is just north of the bridge and across Rt. 19 from the New River Gorge visitor’s center. It has running water and flush toilets but no showers. Alcohol is allowed but no glass. There is only one good sized fire pit for us. There is a large picnic shelter. We cannot make any new fire rings and we have to leave the place in as good a shape (if not better) than we found it or I get a beat down from the Man. 
