White Water Rafting in West Virginia is worlds away from the ordinary with outstanding wilderness scenery, beautiful rivers, friendly people and a variety of things to do like hiking, fishing, climbing, biking and horseback riding offering adventures for everyone. And it's closer than you think! Over 60% of the US population is less than a day's drive away.

Suitably named the Mountain State, West Virginia could quite easily be called the River State. With more than 200 miles of America's Best Whitewater the New and Gauley Rivers are known and revered the world over. More than 150,000 people raft the New each year as it follows its age-old channel through the spectacular New River Gorge.

The Gauley River draws about 60,000 experienced rafters each year. Most come during the world-famous Gauley Season, which lasts for six weeks each fall. The Upper section demands constant attention from the time you step into the raft with five major Class V drops and more than 40 rapids to make for a super intense whitewater challenge. While the Lower section is undoubtedly more civil, it is certainly not a pushover boasting over 45 rapids ranging up to Class V.

West Virginia has a wealth of other whitewater rivers, such as the capricious Cheat - raging one day, serene the next; the Shenandoah - mellow and relaxing; and the Tygart - a lesser known waterway that packs a powerful punch each spring and fall when rainfall is at its highest.