Saving Our Rivers and Streams for Future Generations
Together We Can Make a Difference
Tygart Valley River Rally
Tygart Valley River Rally 2026
Join STTWA along with the Taylor County Development Authority on Saturday, July 18, 2025 for a fun-filled day of paddling, floating, children's activities, vendors, music, food trucks, and great company!
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While the Tygart Valley River Rally grounds are free and open to the public, there is a $10 registration fee per participant for the kayak/canoe paddle and $5 registration fee for the lazy river float, payable during registration at the event (cash or check). You can try out kayaking for free courtesy of a grant from Try This WV (see schedule below).
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​​​​​​Kayak/Canoe Paddle Details
We'll depart from STTWA's Carr China property in Grafton (39.319905, -80.025206) at 10:00 a.m. and paddle 6.6 river miles to the DNR ramp on Camp Towles Rd (39.375, -80.045). Save the Tygart will provide transport for paddlers and kayaks back to Carr China. Please register ahead of time! Register here: Kayak Paddle
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River Float Details
Please arrive no later than 12:30 at the Carr China property (39.319905, -80.025206) to register for the float. Participants will be shuttled to Grafton City Park and will float back to Carr China. The float will depart at 1:00. Please register ahead of time: Register here: Lazy River Float
Event Schedule
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9:00-10:00 a.m.
Kayak/Canoe registration ($10 per participant)
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10:00 a.m.
Kayak paddle departs Carr China
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11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Carr China grounds open to the public; Auction items on site for preview, or preview online at https://www.32auctions.com/TVRR2026
Non-Profits & Vendors:
Buckhannon River Watershed Association
Friends of the Cheat
Guardians of the West Fork
Recreational Outreach of Taylor County
Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area
P. Pendleton Kennedy Chapter Trout Unlimited
Department of Natural Resources
WV Ducks Unlimited
McClumsy (clothing and apparel)
Musical Creatures (music shop)
Sacred Totems (gift shop)
Margaret Keane (pet paintings)
Kathy Wildman (t-shirts)
Food Trucks:
Activities:
Bounce House
12 Foot Slide
Cornhole
Ladder Ball
Lawn Games
12:00 p.m.
Live Music: Cameron Layne
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12:30 p.m.
Register for Lazy River Float ($5 per participant)
1:00 p.m.
Lazy River Float departs from Grafton City Park
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​2:00 p.m.
Live Music: Becks!
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2:30-3:30 p.m.
Intro to Kayaking. Free of charge. No experience necessary. Kayaks available on a first come, first served basis. Life jackets required and will be provided if needed.
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5:00 p.m. River Rally Ends
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Many thanks to the Taylor County Development Authority for supporting the Tygart Valley River Rally!
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That's a wrap 2025!
Many thanks to those who came out to paddle and float with us! See you next year!
Tygart Valley River Rally 2025
Join us on Saturday, July 19, 2025 for the Tygart Valley River Rally in Grafton, West Virginia for a fun-filled day of paddling, floating, snorkeling, and enjoying some great food, music, and company!
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While the Tygart Valley River Rally is free to attend we do appreciate monetary donations for food at the cookout, and there is a $5 registration fee per participant for the kayak/canoe paddle and the river float, payable during registration at the event (cash or stripe payment). You can try out kayaking or river snorkeling free courtesy of a grant from Try This WV (see schedule below).
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​​​​​​Kayak/Canoe Paddle Details
We'll depart from STTWA's Carr China property in Grafton (39.319905, -80.025206) at 10:00 a.m. and paddle 6.6 river miles to the DNR ramp on Camp Towles Rd (39.375, -80.045). Save the Tygart will provide transport for paddlers and kayaks back to Carr China. Please register ahead of time!
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River Float Details
Please arrive no later than 3:15 at the Carr China property (39.319905, -80.025206) to register for the float. A driver from each vehicle will take their car to the end point at Maple Ave. playground (39.32, -80.020) and be shuttled back to Carr China. The float will depart Carr China at 4:00 p.m.
Event Schedule
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9:00-10:00 a.m.
Kayak/Canoe registration ($5 per participant)
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10:00 a.m.
Kayak/Canoe paddle to Camp Towles begins
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1:00 p.m.
Cookout - Carr China Property
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2:00 p.m.
Intro to Kayaking. Free of charge. No experience necessary. Kayaks available on a first come, first served basis. Life jackets required and will be provided if needed.
2:30 p.m.
River snorkeling. Free of charge.​
3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
River float registration ($5 per participant); river tubes available on a first come, first served basis--be sure to register early online!
3:30 p.m.
Form shuttle for cars to Maple Ave playground
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4:00 p.m.​​​
River float departs