White Water Rafting West Virginia – The New River Gorge & The Gauley River!
Monday, August 4th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
We have all heard of the famous rafting spots, the Rio Grande River and others have been featured many times in Hollywood blockbusters. But what about white water rafting in West Virginia? Have you ever heard of the New River Gorge or The Gauley River?
The New River Gorge
The New River Gorge spans 53 miles, twisting and turning just like a serpent. The river has plenty of boulder like rocks which creates a true adrenalin pumping white water rafting adventure.
This white water rafting West Virginia River has an endless supply of thrilling rapids separated by pleasantly calm areas of river where you can get your breath and prepare yourself for the next set of rapids.
Around the upper area of the river there are a series of Class II and III white water rafting West Virginia rapids to enjoy. But further down the river is where you will find the real action with class II to class IV rapids.
People often take a run down the upper rapids of the river twice in one day and then camp halfway down the river for the night before taking on the rougher rapids the new River Gorge has to offer the following day.
The new River Gorge is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East! The scenery around the new River Gorge can be pretty spectacular, on one side you can have huge sheer rock faces while on the other you have a beautiful forest rising up from the gorge floor. This beautiful scenery added on top of the extreme rafting action from the rapids available makes white water rafting in West Virginia some of the best you can find East of the Mississippi.
The Gauley River
Some of the best year-round white water rafting in West Virginia can be found on the Gauley River. The Gauley River in springtime runs low; this is because during this time the local Summersville Reservoir is being filled by the Army Corps Engineers. As a direct result of this the river has some extreme drops. Also water flows out of the reservoir at the rate of around 1.000.000 gallons per minute! These two factors together are responsible for the river’s nickname, the beast of the East!
On the lower part of the Gauley River you will be able to enjoy class I up to III rapids and on the upper half of the river you will be able to enjoy class V rapids. Most people start off on the lower part of the river and then move on to the upper half of the river later on in the day in search of the more challenging rapids.
Of course don’t forget white water rafting is not all West Virginia has to offer. If you’re planning on visiting West Virginia for a white water rafting trip, don’t forget you can also participate in other outdoor sports such as rock climbing and hiking.
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