West Virginia is a perfect getaway for a quick weekend or extended trip, especially if searching for a high thrill experience. If you love water, rafts, and adventure, West Virginia has you covered by having one of the top five rivers to raft worldwide and one of the top three in the US! Whether planning to travel during spring, summer, or fall, you have the opportunity to choose from 15 excursions that range from half-day to multi-overnight stays down the river. Many whitewater enthusiasts travel far and wide to ride the rapids down the challenging Gauley River or venture to the moderate New River run for a fun family expedition.
Rafting Season
West Virginia’s whitewater rafting season generally runs from May to September. Still, it is dependent on weather, and it is not uncommon to have trips run in late April and early October. For visitors looking for a more tame ride down the rapids, springtime tends to have lower water flow rates, however, be mindful of the water temperatures since it will still be cold. While fall time brings white water enthusiasts a high-packed challenging ride with intense flow rates from the dam release scheduled in September to October annually.
Spring-Summer Season: You will have the opportunity to choose from various guided tours that will allow you to cruise down the Upper and Lower New River in a raft or kayak, whether for a half-day to multi-day excursions. The summer season tends to be the peak season for tourists to feel the power of the white water.
Fall Season: Calling all whitewater enthusiasts worldwide! The fall season is when you will witness the river’s best whitewater rapids on the Gauley River. This river is top-rated in the country and world, and there is a reason why! The challenging class III to V rapids allows adventure seekers to use technical paddle and maneuvering skills while dropping 668 feet in 24 miles of river.
To understand the rapid classification levels better and which rapids are best for beginner to advanced rafters, please check out my Cruising the Rapids In Washington blog.
Which excursion is best for me?
Be mindful that the surrounding area has various guides and tours ready to take you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Many companies offer package deals ranging from meals and overnight stays to other outdoor activities such as ziplining and biking. Choosing one that best fits what you and your group are looking for is vital!
Adventures on the Gorge, West Virginia Adventures and New & Gauley River Adventures are a just a few tours companies to name that have been in business for years giving guest memories that will last for a lifetime.
Whether you are a first-timer, have a couple of rides in your back pocket, or are a full-on white water enthusiast ready to take on challenging rapids, I will break down what each river consists of to find which tour is ideal for you!
Upper New River: For first-timers looking to dip their toes into the whitewater experience or a family fun outing, this excursion is for you! The Upper New River offers mild whitewater class I-III rapids with fun waves and calm pools, giving kids years six and up an experience to remember. Since the water is pretty gentle, most guided tours will provide you with the choice of sitting in an inflatable kayak instead of a full-size raft unless the water is running relatively high. The Upper New River runs during the spring and summer season, and the tour is approximately 4-6 hours long, with lunch and transportation included.
Lower New River: It’s a perfect tour for first-timers and enthusiasts 12 years and up who want to kick it up a notch. Lower New River will take you through 25 rapids ranging from class II-IV allowing guests to experience a little bit of calmer waters and drops that will get your heart racing. The best part of this excursion is the views you will encounter throughout your expedition, topping it off your departing your journey under the famous landmark of the New River Gorge Bridge. This excursion is a full-day tour that will last approximately 4-6 hours; however, no worries about getting hangry! The guide will paddle over to the banks for a homemade lunch halfway through the trip. Lower New River excursion runs from spring to fall season, so there is plenty of time in the year to experience Lower New River rapids!
Lower Gauley River: Ready to take your whitewater adventures to the next level with this world-famous river? The Lower Gauley is technically challenging and will put your paddling skills to the test while cruising down a 12-mile stretch of rapids, but it’s less demanding than the Upper Gauley. You will experience 28 rapids from class III-V rapids during the tour, with only a couple being the challenging class V rapids. While using your upper body and core to tackle the rapids head-on, you will also experience some incredible views of the New River Gorge National Park surrounding you. Lower Gauley River is a full-day tour that lasts approximately 5-6 hours; however, the guides at the halfway point will have a riverside lunch prepared for you while you relax and stretch those muscles to take on the remaining miles. Lower Gauley is for 12 years and up and runs during the fall season when dams are released throughout a six-week timespan from September to October.
Upper Gauley River: There is a reason why whitewater enthusiasts worldwide head to the Upper Gauley River during the fall season. The Summerville Lake releases water over six weeks from September to October during the fall season, which brings high water flow and big rapids. The 12-mile stretch of river is the most extreme adrenaline-filled excursion and technically challenging you can book and is recommended for experienced rafters only that are 15 years and up. You will encounter five class V rapids before taking a much-needed rest for lunch before finishing your ride with the remaining class IV rapids that pack a punch. In this excursion, be prepared to drop over 335 feet in less than 12 miles. This ride is not for the faint of heart, and for those ready to take on the adrenaline adventure, this will be a full-body workout!
There are additional tours to choose from based on which river you decide to run. Some rivers offer half-day, full-day, overnight to multi-day options. If you plan for an overnight to multi-day, you will experience a night under the stars at your very own campsite where you will sit around the campfire telling stories or relax in a wood-fired hot tub while filling up on a chef-prepared meal for dinner.
What To Wear
Depending on the time of year you plan to venture down the river, you may want to consider your base layers to avoid freezing. Wearing quick-dry bathing suits, synthetics, wool, and or waterproof rash guards will be ideal when getting soaked since these fabrics will insulate your body. Avoid cotton clothing at all costs; it will not dry and keep you cold!
Most tour companies offer wetsuits, splash jackets, and booties for an additional cost to rent or, depending on which tour you choose, could be included in the tour price.
Overall Thoughts
West Virginia is a perfect place to venture to for hitting the rapids for a quick weekend getaway or an extended trip. There are a dozen tours to choose from that vary in levels for solos, couples, and larger groups to enjoy! If planning a more extended trip, look for the package deals that offer additional outdoor adventures for more family fun! Get ready to have the time of your life and memories that will last a lifetime.
What river adventure will you choose?
