New River Gorge National Recreation Area

America Outdoors outfitters offer rafting, climbing and mountain biking on and along the New River in the New River Gorge National Recreation Area, with cabins available outside the park.

A rugged, white water river, flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The New River Gorge National Park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.

New River Gorge National River includes 53 miles of free-flowing New River, beginning at Bluestone Dam and ending at Hawks Nest Lake. The New River typifies big West Virginia style whitewater. Within the park it has two very different characters.

SECTIONS:

Upper (Southern) New River

This part of the river consists primarily of long pools, and relatively easy rapids. It is a big powerful river, but very beautiful, always runnable, and providing excellent fishing and camping. There are a number of different river access points, and trips can run from several hours to several days.
Rapids: Class I, II and III (Easy to Medium)

Lower (Northern) New River

This section of the river is often referred to as "the Lower Gorge." In a state that is justifiably renowned for colossal rapids, the Lower Gorge has some of the biggest of the big with rapids. The rapids are imposing and forceful, many of them obstructed by large boulders which necessitate maneuvering in very powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Some rapids contain hazardous undercut rocks. Although the gradient is a modest 20 ft/mi, the rapids are of the full-grown West Virginia variety: big, brawny, and bodacious!
Rapids: Class III, IV and V (Medium, Difficult and Expert)