Outdoor lovers with a penchant for white water rafting, rejoice! America’s Newest National park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve makes one of the best choices for a fun-filled family vacation coupled with some adrenaline-boosting activities. Conveniently located in Southern West Virginia, New River Gorge is driving distance for a sizeable chunk of the U.S. population. Once there, it’s a great idea to a resort (like Adventures on the Gorge) to your base camp and chooses a good outfitter to guide you through your adventure itinerary.
Swerving Through the Scenic Gorge
The gorgeous river, one of the oldest in the world offers more than a few delights. Winding from South to North, it drifts through Appalachian terrains, lush forests, and carved canyons, 1,600 ft deep in some places. Outfitters at the park offer several packages of adventure activities to suit your group’s needs. For a full-day fun trip pacing the rapids, the Gorge’s “Lower New River Gorge” excursion is a marvelous option. It covers rapids classified as 25 Class II to IV and makes for an adrenaline-fueled ride, but also leaves room for relaxation as you float through mild-warm waters, swim through gentler portions of the river, and unpack your picnic lunch on the shore.
A Raw & Real Experience
Holding yourself together through rapids with rather apt names like “Double Z” and “Scramble Like A Rat” can be a challenge, and be sure to get drenched. But as your bodies bounce as your little boat flies over the rapids, be sure to have huge smiles plastered on your faces! You can couple your rafting experience with a host of other adventure activities – hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, paintball, laser tag, horseback riding, and clay shooting.
One thing we’re sure of, a visit to New River Gorge will have you hooked for more. NO one can escape the raw, wild beauty of a river carving her way through gorges!