Known to be the oldest river in North America, the New River begins in North Carolina and flows north into West Virginia. Most of the portion running through West Virginia is designated as the New River Gorge National River. The Gauley River is contained within the state of West Virginia and is designated as a National Recreation Area. These areas combine to make a busy whitewater rafting area with multiple outfitters providing whitewater rafting trips.
Classifying Rapids for Whitewater River Rafting
Whitewater rafting outfitters have the right to limit rafting trips to certain age limits based on the level of difficulty. Both the New and Gauley Rivers have challenging sections, but the Gauley can be a little more difficult. Rapids are classified according to level difficulty using a numeral system:
- Class I: Smallest rapids with no obstacles, relatively slow moving. Easy.
- Class II: A quicker pace with a few obstacles. Moderate.
- Class III: Larger waves, more frequent obstacles with a quick pace. Hard.
- Class IV: Many obstacles creating high waves, fast movement. Very Hard.
- Class V: Volatile waves along lengthy rapids, some drops. Extremely Hard.
- Class VI: Almost impassible, life risking. Maximum difficulty.
Whitewater Rafting on the New River
The New River is often divided into two separate sections for whitewater rafting trips. The Upper New is the easier section and better for groups with younger members because the rapids are classified at a lower level of difficulty. The Lower New is the more popular section because the rapids are more frequent and a tad more difficult. The open period for whitewater rafting on the New River is seasonal, lasting from spring to fall, and is longer than Gauley rafting season.
Whitewater Rafting on the Gauley River
As the more difficult of the two rivers to raft, whitewater rafting outfitters providing trips down the Gauley will often require a minimum age of 12 years old for the Lower Gauley and 16 years old for the Upper Gauley. This river is more difficult than the New River and the Upper Gauley contains Class V+ rapids. Whitewater rafting trips on the Gauley are extremely time limited and the open season only runs from Labor Day, after the Summersville Dam is released, to October.
An Adventure Through Scenic Landscapes
Whitewater rafting is a great activity for families and groups, especially as a team building activity. During the hot summer it is refreshing to take time out of the raft to float lazily atop the water before the upcoming rapids and enjoy the scenery flanking the river. Most outfitters will provide lunch halfway through the trip along the shores of the scenic New and Gauley Rivers. Some will even cook a dinner back at base camp for whitewater adventurers spending the night in community camps. As a souvenir, outfitters employ a videographer to document the day’s journey as a piece of memorabilia for those who have conquered the mighty rivers.
Ashley Raybourn - Ashley specializes in travel and recreations. She also writes for Demand Media and articles have been published on USA Today Travel ...
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