New River, West Virginia
| Price |
 What's this? |
| Class of Rapids |
New River Gorge: III-V+; Upper: I-II |
| Trip Miles |
New River Gorge: 10 to 17 miles; Upper: 8 to 16 miles |
| Trip Duration |
1 to 2 days |
| Season |
New River Gorge: April-October; Upper: June-September |
| Raft Type |
Paddle Raft, Oar Raft, Inflatable Kayak (Upper section only) |
| River Sections |
New River Gorge (Thurmond to Fayette Station or Teays Landing); Upper |
| Nearby Towns |
Beckley (WV) |
| Driving Times |
Charleston (WV): 1.5 hours; Pittsburgh (PA): 4 hours; Washington, D.C.: 5 hours |
| Recommended For |
Intermediate, Tubing & Duckies, Spring, Summer |
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Aerial view of the New River Gorge from Endless Wall Cliffs
(courtesy, NPS)
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Despite the nearby Gauley River’s relatively recent worldwide notoriety, West Virginia has been on most paddlers' radars since long before Congress agreed to turn on the water at the Summersville Dam. Though it may not receive the circus-like fanfare of its cataract-dense neighbor, the New River—the world's second-oldest, after the Nile—makes for an ideal put-in for those new to, and nervous about, whitewater rafting. It begins in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina and flows northwest into West Virginia, where it joins the Gauley to form the Kanawha River. The 14-mile stretch between the town of Thurmond and Fayette Station is now known as the New River Gorge National River, a nationally protected series of waterfalls, whitewater, and flatwater that drops nearly 250 feet through a narrow 1,400-foot-deep canyon lined with sheer rock faces and the occasional abandoned mining outpost. The rapids on the New are more evenly spaced than the whitewater cluster bomb that is the Upper Gauley, which allows for some recuperative float time between the churning rapids. As with the Gauley, the New is commonly run in sections: the Upper, which runs from Hinton to Thurmond, is considerably calmer and ideal for novices, families, and the elderly. Below Thurmond, the river pours into the New River Gorge, which froths with a series of Class IV and V rapids before crossing under the impressive span of the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville.
The geographical proximity of both rivers to Fayetteville has spawned dozens of outfitters who run both the New and the Gauley. Most offer daylong and two-day trips on both rivers, and food (lunch for daylong trips, the full Monty for overnight trips) is usually included in the cost. Due to the technical demands, the Gauley costs a bit more than the New, but expect to pay around $100 for runs on either the top or bottom sections of both rivers. Hitting the New midweek or taking on the Gauley on Mondays in October can drop the price by as much $20 to $25. The Gauley season starts the first Friday after Labor Day and goes until the third weekend in October; the tight schedule means reservations (well in advance) are essential. The New is less structured, and can be run from early spring to late fall, but check on water levels. Founded in 1968, Wildwater Expeditions (1.800.WVA.RAFT; www.wvaraft.com) was the first company to officially offer guided raft trips in the region. They also offer camping at their headquarters, just off Route 19. Wetsuits (usually provided by the tour operator for a modest fee) are a good idea, especially during the colder months, and synthetic clothing and shoes or sandals with secure heels are essential. Helmets and life jackets are provided.
Tour Operator Trips on the New River, West Virginia
* Trip price reflects the average cost per day for a guided rafting adventure on a given river (
= $50-$100/day;
= $100-$250/day;
= $250 or more/day) and accounts for half-day, full-day, or multiday rafting excursions. Lodging, dining, and transportation costs (airfare, car rental/shuttle, equipment rentals, etc.) have not been factored into account. Please note that the trip price classification is intended to be an approximate guideline, as the range of prices on a given river can vary based on amenities, services, and customized add-ons offered through individual outfitters.
