Table of Contents
Introduction
West Virginia is known for amazing whitewater rafting. Even more so, West Virginia is known for the number of rivers that are available for whitewater rafting. Four of these rivers are the most popular in West Virginia and include the Gauly, New River Gorge, Potomac, and Shenandoah.
Rafting on the Gauley
The Gauley River is a class III river, meaning it’s not too easy and not too hard. It’s a great place to go if you are looking for a fun, relaxing trip where you don’t have to worry about the rapids being too much of a challenge (but are still exciting). The Gauley also offers some challenging sections that will test your skills as an experienced rafter or kayaker!
If you want to keep things interesting on your trip down the Gauley, there are several options:
- You can hike up onto one of the many cliffs along this section of river and watch from above as your fellow rafters make their way through these awesome rapids. If this sounds like something that might interest you, just be aware that hiking up is quite difficult—not for beginners!
- Another option is to get out on land and hike around after making it downstream safely. There are plenty of beautiful places along this portion of river where nature enthusiasts can stop and take pictures or simply enjoy being away from city life for awhile.
Rafting on the New River Gorge
White water rafting on the New River is a class IV river and one of the most popular places in West Virginia to go white water rafting. The New River Gorge has many challenges for experienced rafters, including Class IV rapids and several stretches of very rough water. The best way to experience this exciting adventure is by booking a guided tour with an experienced company such as New River Rafting Co., who have been operating since 1989.
Rafting on the Potomac
The Potomac River is a medium-sized river located in the eastern United States. It flows through West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay near Washington, DC. It’s a great place to raft!
The Potomac is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the country; it has been listed as one of the top 50 rivers in America by American Whitewater Association (AWA) since 2001. This means there are opportunities for you to get out on this beautiful body of water with your family or friends and enjoy some time together doing something fun! There are many trips available ranging from short half days where you might only go down one rapid before turning around back at your starting point, all the way up through full day multi-day trips where you will be camping along side this amazing river while experiencing all it has to offer!
Rafting on the Shenandoah
If you’ve only done white water rafting on a few rivers, the Shenandoah is a great river to add to your bucket list. Not only is it one of the most beautiful rivers in the country, but its class II-III rapids are great for beginners and intermediate rafters alike. The Shenandoah has plenty of smaller rapids that allow you to get warmed up before hitting some larger ones later in your trip.
While there are many options when choosing where to go whitewater rafting in West Virginia, we highly recommend choosing Riverside Adventures! They have everything from private trips for those who want something more personalized than what’s offered at their public locations, or even overnight camping trips if you want something longer than just one day out on the water!
Whitewater Rafting Safety
Before you go white water rafting, you should know that there are a few things to keep in mind regarding safety. First and foremost, you should wear a life jacket. Life jackets keep you safe while floating down the river, and they also make it harder for others to fall off of your raft. It’s also important to remember that the sun is intense during the summer months—make sure you wear sunscreen if you’re going outdoors! Additionally, if it’s been raining recently or if there’s any chance of rain in the forecast for your trip: bring along a hat! You can never be too careful about protecting yourself from burns or heatstroke in warm weather environments like West Virginia.
Finally—and perhaps most importantly—be sure to wear suitable footwear when white water rafting! Shoes with good traction and ankle support are best suited for this activity; shoes made specifically for water sports will provide optimal traction on slippery rocks or wet surfaces (such as those found during flooding). Wet suits offer protection against cold temperatures; dry suits provide protection from both heat and cold conditions depending on which ones are used
White water rafting in West Virginia is safe if you are with an experienced guide
As long as you are with an experienced guide, white water rafting in West Virginia is safe. Your guide will help you stay safe by steering the boat through rapids, avoiding rocks and logs that could damage your boat or harm you. He or she also knows how to navigate around dangerous areas so that your trip will be as enjoyable as possible.
Conclusion
white water rafting in west virginia is spectacular. it’s a lifetime experience, and the perfect way to reconnect with nature and your loved ones. but before you go, make sure you have all the safety equipment you need for your trip. so get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!