By Jamie Null
Fifty years ago, West Virginia’s multi-million-dollar whitewater rafting industry was founded by a handful of high-spirited college students with a few canoes and Army surplus rafts. The Dragan brothers—Chris, Tom and Jon—and Jon’s girlfriend, Melanie, all 24 years old or younger, started the state’s first whitewater company, Wildwater Unlimited, in the 1960s and began taking friends down the New River in Army surplus rafts. The spirit and adventure of the sport quickly spread throughout the state, creating a tourist destination at the New River Gorge and a new brand of adventure available around the state that now includes outdoor activities, lodging, dining and more.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of whitewater rafting in West Virginia, visit one of the state’s many rafting companies to see for yourself why this extreme outdoor adventure has been drawing thrill seekers in since the 1960s.
Here’s to another 50 years!
1. ACE Adventure Resort
Oak Hill • https://aceraft.com
With more than 40 years of river-running experience, ACE Adventure Resort offers rafting trips on both the Upper New River, which is a great ride for beginners and children, and the Lower New River, which offers Class III-IV rapids. ACE’s Wildest Summer Whitewater Challenge involves visiting the most fun and most challenging parts of the river on that day, and every Wildest Summer Inflatable Kayak Trip is unique because it depends on the day’s water levels. Visit in the fall for Gauley Season, when water released from Summersville Dam creates the biggest seasonal whitewater event in the country. Turn your visit into a long weekend, rent a cabin and take time to visit what makes this resort stand out among all the rest: its one-of-a-kind waterpark. From racing down water slides, speeding down the zip line and climbing inflatables to relaxing on the shore and enjoying stone-fired pizza, there is something for everyone.
2. Adventures on the Gorge
Lansing • www.adventuresonthegorge.com
With roots stemming from Mountain River Tours, Adventures
on the Gorge, the second commercial rafting company to be founded in West Virginia, is an adventure resort that offers a variety of whitewater rafting options for every level of rafter. Guests can choose from day trips on the Upper and Lower New River and Upper and Lower Gauley, a full-day Glade Creek Raft and Hike, a half-day Rapid Run on the Lower, the Gauley Reverse, the Gauley River Marathon, a two-hour River Dash & Sunset River Dash, a two-day Dueling Rivers excursion and overnight rafting trips. Schedule plenty of time to explore all the other adventures available on-site, including the Treetops Zip Line Canopy Tour, Timbertrek Adventure Park, Bridge Walk and Canyon Falls Swimming Pool, the resort’s crown jewel, which boasts waterfalls, a splash park and a view of the New River Gorge. A variety of lodging accommodations and restaurants on-site make it easy to stay and play in Almost Heaven a little longer.
3. Blackwater Outdoor Adventures
Parsons • www.blackwateroutdoors.com
The closest outfitter to Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls State Park and Elkins, this family-owned business has more than 35 years of experience. Blackwater Outdoor Adventures specializes in a five-mile stretch of whitewater rafting on the Cheat River in Tucker County. Visitors can expect Class II-III rapids. With a deluxe and express package, Blackwater has options for both those with a few short hours to play and those looking to spend a full day on the river. A slower pace of life can be found in a tube, kayak or canoe on the river during floating tours. Bring your gear and stay longer—a bath house and hot showers await on seven acres on the banks of the Cheat.
4. Cantrell Ultimate Rafting
Fayetteville • www.cantrellultimaterafting.com
As West Virginia’s only boutique rafting company, Cantrell Ultimate Rafting is big enough to offer quality equipment and supervision but small enough to provide specialized attention to each rafter. Cantrell offers trips down the New and Gauley rivers for beginners, intermediates and advanced rafters. The Gauley River Marathon allows experienced rafters to run both sections of the Gauley on the same day, the Lower New River Express is great for those who don’t have a full day to spend on the water, and the Adult Saturday run on the Upper New River is great for children and beginners. Cantrell also offers several lodging packages for families and couples. The base camp is the closest to the Lower New River and the site of the Grill & Pub, popular for its homemade stuffed rolls and special sauces. Live entertainment is available on the weekends from April-October. Tent and RV camping, rustic bungalows and cabins round out accommodations.
5. Cheat River Outfitters
Albright • www.cheatriveroutfitters.com
Located in Albright, the Cheat Canyon section is a West Virginia springtime Class III-V whitewater run that covers more than 13 miles of water. With names like Decision, Big Nasty, Tear Drop, Coliseum, Fossil Falls and Swimmers Rapid, the canyon is filled with intense whitewater action. The canyon is an excellent whitewater experience in the spring because the heavy seasonal rains and snow melts create higher water levels. Trips can also be planned in the summer and fall, depending on the water level. The Cheat Narrows in the spring and summer, also dependent on the water, creates two opportunities for riders. The spring trip is more exciting due to the high water level. However, summer is perfect for younger riders and families. The Upper Yough is the most adventurous run with non-stop Class IV-V rapids.
6. New and Gauley River Adventures
Lansing • www.gauley.com
New and Gauley River Adventures is a family-owned outfitter that has been guiding guests down the New and Gauley rivers for more than 30 years. New and Gauley offers a rafting opportunity for everyone, from trips with families with small children on the Upper New, trips with families with older children on the Lower New, more adventurous rafting on the Lower Gauley and extreme thrill-chasing on the Upper Gauley. Overnight trips are also available with the Gauley River Overnight and the New River Full Canyon Overnight packages. New and Gauley also offers horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking and snowshoeing. On-site accommodations are available for guests, from campsites and rustic mini cabins to the more luxurious lodging options, including the riverside cottages and restored farmhouse.
7. River Expeditions
Oak Hill • https://raftinginfo.com
In 2008, four whitewater rafting companies combined to create River Expeditions, and since then, the owners have continued to grow the outfitter with a keen eye on quality for their guests. Today, River Expeditions provides family-class trips, which serve as a great introduction to rafting; adventure-class trips, which are more challenging and breath-taking; and world-class trips, which are the most technical and difficult runs offered. Guests are guided down the New and Gauley rivers with a variety of trips to choose from, including the Summer Gauley River, Dueling Rivers, Riverside Overnight Trips, Multi-Day Rafting Trips, the Lower/Upper Gauley River Reverse and the New River Express Rafting Trip. With on-site accommodations and additional activities available, planning a weekend getaway is easy. Choose from tent camping, RV sites, bunk-style cabins, safari tents and leisure, deluxe and luxury cabins.
8. River Riders Family Adventure Resort
Harpers Ferry • www.riverriders.com
In the heart of historic Harpers Ferry, River Riders has uncovered a wealth of whitewater adventure that draws enthusiasts from the surrounding areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Guests can participate in guided whitewater rafting trips, self-guided trips, whitewater kayaking trips and tubing excursions. With an all-day pass, water enthusiasts can pick one guided trip and one self-guided trip and spend the day on the water. The most daring of these activities might be the solo whitewater tubing experience, which lasts about two hours and features Class I-III rapids. When it’s time to dry off, take advantage of River Riders’ canopy tours and aerial adventures, which provide a bird’s eye-view of the area. For an extra adrenaline rush, race your friends on the MegaZip or free fall with the Quick Jump.
9. Tygart River Outfitters
Volga • www.tygartriveroutfitters.com
Tygart River Outfitters is a family owned and operated rafting outfitter that guides guests through Class II-III rapids via rafts and tubes down the Buckhannon, Tygart and Middle Fork rivers twice a day Friday-Sunday. Unique to Tygart River Outfitters is the moonlight tubing trip, during which guests launch their rafts or duckies at the historic covered bridge in Philippi and paddle three miles downstream to the public dock. Guides instruct riders on how to navigate the water by using the moonlight. After an adventurous day on the water, try your hand at gem mining in the river. You’ll use a strainer and bucket just like old-time prospectors.
10. West Virginia Adventure
Glen Jean • www.trywva.com
West Virginia Adventure has a rafting trip for all ages. For children as young as 5, the Upper New Family Day Trip is a great introduction to rafting and includes Class I-II rapids and plenty of time for swimming and playing. The Lower New and Lower Gauley trips, consisting of Class III-IV rapids, is appropriate for children 11 and older, and the extreme Upper Gauley trip with its Class V rapids is for anyone 16 and older who has previous whitewater experience. Other special trips include the Upper and Lower New River Overnight, the Upper Gauley Extreme, the Double Upper Gauley and the Gauley Marathon in the fall. On-site camping is available and includes a bath house and fire rings, and studio cabins are also available for rent. West Virginia Adventures is a pet-friendly destination.
