White Water Rafting

It's no secret that West Virginia is one of the best places to go White Water Rafting. Several rivers offer world-class rapids for experts, and others are well-suited to less experienced and learning rafters. The most famous waters are in the Gauley River, between Summersville and Fayetteville, in the Gauley River National Recreation Area. Both the Gauley and New rivers are easily accessed from a base in nearby Babcock or Hawks Nest state parks.

Here, the 25-mile river flows at high speed through gorges and valleys, providing the thrill of a lifetime to experienced rafters; it's no wonder the Class V rapids are nicknamed the "Beast of the East". Fall is the time to find the most challenging flow, but at any time it's a good idea to hire an experienced guide who knows the river and its quirks and can help you find the places that are best suited to your own experience level.

Although it's known for its Class V rapids the Gauley has some stretches of Class III that are suitable for intermediate levels. For those with less experience, the Tygart River, Cheat River, and Potomac River are good options, as is the Upper New River, which has good stretches for beginners. Lower New River has Class IV rapids that offer runs past the New River Gorge Bridge.

Official site: https://whitewater.org/

Address: 1 Concho road, Oak Hill, WV 25901

Phone: 844-895-4176

Entrance fee: $65 - $110 per person (full day trips typically include lunch)

Google rating: 4.7/5.0