White Water Rafting West Virginia Is A New Experience

When most people think about white water rafting, their mind goes to the Rio Grande River or others famous for their appearances on television or in the movies. Today when people think about white water rafting West Virginia comes to mind, especially those who have heard about the New River Gorge. The New River rages through 53 miles of twists and turns like a serpent meandering through the woods, rolling over boulder-lined beds creating an adrenaline pumping tour.

Between runs through rapids lie calmer waters in which to catch your breath and get ready for the next surge. The upper part of the river hosts Class II and III white water rafting West Virginia rapids while the lower part of the river host Class II through IV, as rafters can tune for the rougher waters in the lower half of the river. Some will even thrill to running the upper rapids twice in one day, or spend the night halfway down the river before venturing into the lower river for a more exhilarating ride.

The Gauley River provides some of the best year-round white water rafting West Virginia has to offer. During the spring when the Summersville Reservoir is being filled by the Army Corps of Engineers the river runs low, creating some extreme drops while falls runs when water flows out of the reservoir at rates of about a million gallons per minute the river meets the expectations of its nickname, the Beast of the East.

Mountainous State Offers Raging River Waters

In addition to the Beast of the East, the New River Gorge has been called the Grand Canyon of the East with its tremendous views of sheer rock faces on one side and the growth of trees on the other rising from the gorge floor. This scenery makes white water rafting West Virginia rivers some of the best available east of the Mississippi.

Floating down the Gauley River on a rubber raft, you can stay in the lower part of the river with Class I through III rapids or take on a more serious encounter on the upper half with rapids ranging to Class V. Many like to tune up on the lower river first and after recouping for the evening, hit the upper half to get their adrenaline running again while they go white water rafting West Virginia style.

In addition to white water rafting West Virginia also offers rock climbing, hiking and other outdoor activities around these same rivers, providing spectacular fun for the entire family.