WV is known as America’s Best Whitewater and has earned the nickname, “the beast of the east.” Outfitters can provide excursions for beginners and experienced rafters. Float trips can also be taken on less turbulent waters. The season to go whitewater rafting between April and October.
Whitewater Rapids classes: I, II, III, IV and V.
>Class I, II, III – age requirement – minimum age 6
>Class III, IV, and V –age requirement – minimum age 12-14
>Class III, IV, IV – age requirement – minimum age 16, experience suggested as these rapids are intense
Ride the whitewater rapids of the Gauley River or the New River. The Gauley River is said to have the best whitewater rapid runs of any river in North America.
The lower section of the New River is a popular Whitewater destination. This area is ideal for both beginners and experienced rafters. The upper section of the New River has easy to moderate rapids. Here you can ride in a one or two person inflatable kayak
The Gauley River has more intense rapids. The river drops 650 feet within 24 miles and has over 100 rapids. The roughest waters on the Gauley are found in the upper section. These rapids have steep drops, rocky ledges and narrow chutes. This is a high impact trip and should not be attempted by novices.
Other whitewater rivers: Potomac River near Harpers Ferry near Charles Town and on the Cheat River.
Outfitters can arrange overnight trips and tours. There are packages available that include lodging as well as other outdoor adventures. You can camp or stay in a cabin. Other outdoor adventures available are ATV tours, float trips, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, 4 wheeling, horseback riding, jet boating.
Most WV whitewater outfitters are located on the New and Gauley River.
Ace Adventure Resort is located in Oak Hill. Ace offers rafting and kayaking on the New River and the Gauley River. Also, offers canopy tours, Atv tours, fishing trips, horseback riding and other outdoor adventure trips.
Class VI-Mountain River is located in Lansing near Beckley on the rim of the New River Gorge. Class VI became one of the first rafting outfitters in the New River Gorge and Gauley River Canyon. The outfitter offers rafting and kayaking on the New River and the Gauley River. Also, offers zip lining tours, rock climbing, horseback riding and other outdoor adventure trips.
Greenbrier River Trips is in Ronceverte on the Greenbrier River. River rafting trips are class I, II and III. The outfitter calls their adventure a Quietwater/Whitewater paddling adventure. Canoe trips down a quiet river are available. Also, offers kayaking, canoeing, duckie rides, tubing, fishing, camping, mountain biking and other outdoor adventure.
New and Gauley River Adventures is located in Lansing. The outfitter offers rafting on the New River and the Gauley River. Also, offers horseback riding, mountain biking, snowshoeing and other outdoor adventure trips.
North American River Runners is located in Minden. NARR provides rafting on the New River and the Gauley River, Class III and Class IV rapids. They have kayak instruction. They also offer ATV Tours, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Paintball, Rock Climbing, Ropes Courses, Team Building, and Zip Line Tours.
Rivermen Adventures is located in Lansing. The Rivermen offers rafting on the New River, the New River Gorge and the Gauley River. They also offer a world-class TreeTops Canopy Tour and a Gravity New River Gorge Ziplines and Bridge Walk.
Songer Whitewater is located at Fayetteville. Songer provides rafting trips on the New River and the Gauley River. Also, offers horseback riding, caving, fishing trips and other outdoor adventure.
West Virginia wildwater expeditions is located in Oak Hill. Wildwater Expeditions offers rafting on the New River and the Gauley River. Also, offers zip-line canopy tours or rock climbing.