Kayaking and canoeing in West Virginia offer incredible benefits for outdoor lovers and new residents alike, especially as the remote-work revolution draws people from big U.S. cities seeking adventure and a better work-life balance. With its countless rivers, scenic lakes, and iconic waterways, like the New River and Cheat River, West Virginia provides ideal conditions for paddlers of all skill levels.
Kayaking and canoeing here allow residents and visitors to unwind in nature, enjoy breathtaking mountain views, spot wildlife, and experience the state’s wild, unspoiled beauty up close. For remote workers craving stress relief and outdoor recreation right at their doorstep, paddling in West Virginia combines fitness, relaxation, and a deep connection to the state’s pristine landscapes, making it a perfect reason to call the Mountain State home.
As many as 500 participants are expected to attend the sixth annual Elk River Float Trip June 8 at Sutton, West Virginia, in Braxton County. Paddlers might not encounter the region’s legendary Braxton County Monster, but they can expect two to three hours of splashy fun on this gentle, five-mile section of river in the … Read more
Expecting to break attendance records again, organizers of one of the most popular river floats in the U.S.—the annual Tour de Coal—are opening registration early for paddlers who wish to participate in the June 15 event on the lower Coal River. More than 1,600 paddlers joined in 2018, according to Bill Curry, president of Coal … Read more
Paddling sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are increasing in popularity in the Mountain State, and editors at West Virginia Explorer are asking for public input building a An ideal family sport, flat-water kayaking is increasingly popular.[/caption] “Kayaking is huge in West Virginia now, and I expect that trend to continue for decades to … Read more
One of the oldest rivers in the world, the New River courses more than 300 miles through North Carolina, Virginia, and, perhaps most famously, West Virginia. Downstream, in West Virginia, the New River Gorge takes its place as the jewel of this ancient river and is the scene of soaring cliffs and pounding waters surging … Read more
Communities along the Guyandotte River in south-western West Virginia are celebrating the restoration of the scenic waterway July 14 with an inaugural kayak and canoe float and regatta at five locations along its valley. More than 300 kayakers are expected to join in the festivities at Mullens, Gilbert, Branchland, Barboursville, and at Dabney, near Logan, … Read more
Officials in the West Virginia state park system are encouraging visitors to celebrate National Canoe Day June 26 by taking a canoe or kayak out for a paddle at a state park or forest lake. Gift shops at state parks and forests that offer canoe or kayak rentals are offering a discount of 20 percent … Read more
Organizers of an annual flat-water kayaking tour on the Coal River at Saint Albans, West Virginia, say they think their event may now be the nation’s largest. Following a 14 percent increase in kayaking participation, Bill Currey, co-founder and chair of Coal River Group, said the June 16 festival may have broken a national record. … Read more
A record-breaking 1,000 kayakers are expected to participate in the 14th annual Tour de Coal community float trip Saturday, June 16, on the Coal River, according to organizers. The tour has become so successful that it has spawned Yakfast, a two-day celebration of kayaking that premiers Friday, June 15, at the mouth of the river … Read more
Rafters and kayakers have been provided another 5.3 miles of whitewater to run in southern West Virginia where an agreement has been reached to partly restore flow to a stretch of the New River downstream of its world-renowned whitewater section. Proponents of the effort to open one of the most spectacular reaches of the New … Read more
Encouraging visitors to try new outdoor activities, rangers at North Bend State Park this weekend are offering introductory courses in kayaking, rappelling, mountain biking. Park rangers and activity guides will provide instruction in an affordable group format during the daylong Introduction to Adventure event, according to park superintendent Steve Jones. Along with skill development, instructors … Read more
