Whitewater rafting in West Virginia offers thrilling adventures and unforgettable experiences, especially on iconic rivers like the New, Cheat, Gauley, Potomac, and Shenandoah rivers. Known as one of America’s premier whitewater destinations, West Virginia attracts rafters from around the country with its adrenaline-pumping rapids, breathtaking canyon views, and expert-guided tours for all skill levels.
Whether tackling the world-famous Gauley River’s intense Class V rapids or enjoying a scenic float on the Potomac, rafting here provides excitement, teamwork, and a unique way to explore the Mountain State’s wild, unspoiled beauty. For locals, tourists, and new residents drawn by the remote-work revolution, whitewater rafting in West Virginia is the perfect escape to stay active, connect with nature, and experience why the state is a top destination for outdoor adventure. Be sure to visit our Whitewater Rafting Travel Guide for more information about rafting and whitewater rafting areas in West Virginia.
West Virginia river outfitters in 2017 recovered from two years of low numbers and posted statewide gains of 5,000 river visits, according to a spokesman for Adventures on the Gorge, one of the state’s chief outfitters. The W.Va. Department of Natural Resources, which compiles a total number of annual river users, primarily rafters and anglers, … 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
Whitewater-rafting guides who have been plying the Gauley River in West Virginia are reporting that water temperatures are higher than normal for autumn. Officials at one of the state’s adventure resorts say there’s a good explanation. “Though they’re not out there with thermometers, the guides have noticed,” says Dave Arnold, a co-founder of Adventures on … Read more
You don’t need a passport to experience world-class whitewater rafting—it’s available on the legendary Gauley River in West Virginia, but only for four more weeks. Designated by the National Park Service as a the centerpiece of a national recreation area, the Gauley is touted as “one of the most adventurous whitewater-boating rivers in the United … Read more
With constant digital distractions and over-programmed schedules, kids are not as wild as they used to be, and that can affect their lifelong mental and physical well-being, says a spokesman for one of West Virginia’s largest adventure resorts. With nearly four decades in the forefront of the rafting and outdoor recreation industry, Dave Arnold has … Read more
River Expeditions is kicking off its summer season with a Memorial Day Guests enjoy a soak at River Expeditions[/caption] The River Expeditions basecamp includes a lodge and conference center with an outdoor pool, gift shop, and a saloon as well as cabins, tent campsites, RV campsites, hiking trails, a zipline, a paintball course, and a … Read more
Whitewater rafters planning to run the Gauley River in autumn have until the end of April to take advantage of savings of up to 37 percent with Adventures on the Gorge. The adventure resort on the New River Gorge in West Virginia is offering deals on individual trips on the upper and lower Gauley and overnight … Read more
If you love music as much as whitewater rafting, now’s your chance to purchase tickets for the three-day Mountain Music Festival at ACE Adventure Resort that include an exclusive raft trip with the festival’s top bands. Two of 25 bands playing the June 1-3 festival will raft Saturday during an excursion open to festival-goers who purchase … Read more
The commercial whitewater-rafting season in the New River Gorge kicked off with high water and high hopes in March, and though water levels have already dropped, officials say expectations for the season ahead remain high. Despite a sharp decline in water-based tourism following floods in June 2016, tourists are eager to return to the region … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lisa Debarr, of Charleston, originally of Buckhannon, has won a guided whitewater rafting trip for two on the New River with ACE Adventure Resort, according to David Sibray, editor and publisher of West Virginia Explorer. As per the terms of the drawing, Debarr entered by becoming a member of the West Virginia … Read more
