Private Tour
National Park Whitewater Rafting in New River Gorge WV
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Real deal guided whitewater rafting through the spectacular New River Gorge National Park. Another notch on your bucket list - or become a whitewater frequent paddler! Class III/IV rapids provide excitement and a trip you will never forget. Amazing scenery, high adventure, no experience required, trips run March through October each year. Day trips meet at 9 AM and include a riverside catered lunch break at the halfway point. Short on time? Try the Afternoon Express run, meeting 3 PM daily.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Recommended for ages 11 and up
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Call to discuss disability or service animal accommodation.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Advise guide of any relevant medical conditions prior to trip start. Consult your physician about medical concerns prior to rafting.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Rafting excitement in New River Gorge National Park with our highly experienced guides. Class III/IV rapids. Amazing scenery, includes catered lunch break on the river at the halfway point (no lunch on afternoon express trips). You will start the day by checking in at our BaseCamp, and meeting the Trip Leader and your Guide. We will answer any questions or concerns you have, and outfit everyone in your party with a paddle, PFD (flotation/lifejacket), and helmet. On the short bus ride to the river, we will go over safety instructions, get you ready for what to expect, and usually keep you laughing. At the river, you will get into the raft with your group and your Guide and, after a few practice strokes, you will get the rush of your first rapid! The scenery through the national forest is spectacular, from remnants of old coal mining operations tucked into majestic mountains and rock formations, to birds of prey, water birds, and even bald eagles. You will complete your river adventure under the New River Gorge Bridge, the longest single-span arch bridge in the world when it was built. The bridge is 3000 feet long, 876 feet above the river, and the 3rd tallest bridge in the US.
What‘s Included
Personal flotation device (life vest), helmet, paddle.
9 AM Trips Only - Buffet lunch typically including build-your-own sandwiches, fresh fruits and veggies, chips, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, hummus, desserts, beverages.
Professional guide in your raft
Local taxes
Gratuities
DVD/video/photos (available to purchase)
Wetsuits, paddle jackets, water shoes also available to rent.
Options
9:00am Day Trip with Lunch
Duration: 6 hours
3:00pm Afternoon Express Trip
Duration: 4 hours
Reviews
513 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ride Down the Gauley
K4119HKamberw,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wally and Mason were incredible guides. Thanks for an excellent ride! We had the time of our lives. This was a bucket list item that we check off this year! Plus - no one fell out of the boats! This is so much fun.
10/10 Lower New Full Day October Experience
Compass17825285038,,Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A phenomenal experience from beginning to end. The staff and guides were helpful, friendly, informative, funny, and safe. When my trip had a bit of chaos with people being unable to go and a somewhat last minute re-schedule, they reassured me and took care of me. As for the trip itself, me and my friends did the New River Lower in October. Water levels were a bit lower (1.5ft), but we still got mostly class II and maybe like one class III. The guides did just about everything possible to make it so you didnt fall out, even when things got just a lil bumpy. Guides were clearly well prepared amd trained for just about every scenario even in the 1/10000 chance of something really going wrong. I always felt safe and secure without taking away from any of the adrenaline-rushing excitement of it all! Our total larger group for the day was split into 3 larger boats and a few smaller ones, with staff on standby in kayaks as well. Because of it being smaller, we could much more easily set our own pace and keep together, unlike some of the other groups we saw that day in flotillas of rafts. For food and drink, they always had water available and other beverages were there for us for a refreshing reward on the ride back to the HQ. Lunch was a sandwich for everyone with Condiments and plenty of other side snacks. They do say they accommodate to you if you have any restrictions, but we didn't have anyone that needed that. They did make sure that everyone had what they needed at all times. If you are going whitewater rafting, pick this group. They know what theyre doing, theyre professional, responsible, and affordable. I WILL be going back to them again next year. Samuel was an amazing guide. I can easily recommend him 100%.
Can't wait to go again!
susantY402LM,,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was so fun. We had a super informative guide and a great rafting experience. I absolutely felt like the whole crew was experienced and put our safety first. We will definitely use these company when we go back.
Just Do it
08shahjay,,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.005/5 experience. - Safe, fun, ease of guide, made the trip the perfect blend for first time rafters +1 for Croc being a phenomenal guide.
10 out of 10!
V6248SSleahg,,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a wonderful time! Our guide, Croc, was super fun and entertaining and really knew what he was doing. We all felt safe and in great hands from the get go. Our bus driver also took great care of us and handled those winding roads like a boss! Highly recommend this company!!
Would definitely take this trip again!~
karengE9034DW,,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Experienced guide - knowledgeable and friendly. Learned a lot, laughed and he kept us all in the raft! Our bus driver was also amazing.
Lower New River Rafting Trip
kenbowman111,,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kristen was a fantastic guide. In fact, everyone from the bus driver to the safety people were very nice and helpful. We will recommend West Virginia Adventures to our friends.
White water rafting in WV.
chrissO3939XY,,Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Crook was a fun and knowledgeable guide. We appreciate the teams desire to make our trip exciting and safe. Good people and we had a great time.
We had an absolute blast,...
Dawa S,,Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an absolute blast, especially my mom and dad, who were experiencing something like this for the very first time! Our guide, Samuel—or was it Sammy?—was fantastic. He was incredibly nice and easy-going, making the whole adventure even more enjoyable. It was a memorable day, filled with laughter and new experiences!
Unforgettable Birthday Adventure!
Eleonora S,,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00For my milestone birthday, I decided to treat myself to a white water rafting trip. We selected this particular company because of its small size, hoping for extra attention due to my son’s life-threatening allergies. They were truly wonderful, securely storing his safe lunch on the raft and providing a waterproof box for his medication. Our guide, nicknamed Croc, was incredibly knowledgeable, keeping us at ease with jokes while also being serious when our attention and teamwork were needed for safety. The owner was extremely kind and surprised me with a birthday cake, which we shared with everyone who participated in the rafting trip that morning. The entire staff was lovely, sharing jokes on the bus rides to and from the river, and they truly made my day extra special.
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Operated by West Virginia Adventures