Skiers may have their Vail or Aspen and golfers have their Florida, but whitewater rafters and kayakers find their Shangri-La in the valleys of West Virginia. The rivers of the Mountaineer State vary in difficulty from calm Class I rapids to intense Class V rapids. Sometimes the classes of rapids can even vary greatly on the same stretch of river.
New River
The National Park Service manages the 53 miles of the New River that stretch from Bluestone Dam to Hawks Nest Lake. The southern part of this stretch, known as the upper New River, is a more relaxed float dotted with small pools and eddies. The lower New River is a big draw, with rapids ranging from Class III to Class V and big boulders and undercut rocks offering dangers as well as thrills. Those paddling the New River through the national park are required to take out above Sandstone Falls. The falls have caused drownings and serious injuries for those who have tried to paddle over.
Gauley River
The Gauley River is rife with wicked rapids for only a few short weeks each year. Every fall the dam at Summersville Lake is opened to let an intensely fast wall of water come crashing down the Gauley River valley. The upper Gauley is rife with Class V rapids, and is reserved for only the most advanced rafters. The lower Gauley is a little less intense, with rapids ranging from Class III to Class V. The river still flows in summer but provides a rather calm flow that's better suited for beginners or casual rafters.
Tygart River
For 13 miles the Tygart River winds through the Tygart Gorge, offering an array of rapids in the spring ranging from Class I to Class V. The highlights of the run along the Tygart, though, are the waterfalls. Wells Falls is the strongest drop in the Monongahela River Basin, and Valley Falls gives rafters a thrilling 25-foot water slide.
Cheat River
Often coupled as an option with the Youghiogheny River to the north in Pennsylvania, the Cheat River runs for 12 miles through the canyon between Albright and Jenkinsburg, West Virginia. There is a 14-mile stretch before the canyon that runs between Rowlesburg and Albright that offers Class II to Class IV rapids. But it's the canyon where the fun starts, offering a slew of Class V rapids that peak in the spring, when the snow melt works its way from the mountains.
Bluestone River
The raftable part of the Bluestone River runs for 26 miles from Spanishburg to Bluestone State Park, where it meets Bluestone Lake and eventually the lower New River. More geared for beginners and casual rafters, Bluestone's rapids don't exceed Class III in intensity. Really only runable in the spring when the winter snows melt, Bluestone offers a scenic run through tall pines and rhododendrons.
Shenandoah River
Near Harper's Ferry where it meets the north end of the Potomac, the Shenandoah offers another more relaxed run for beginners. Rapids here hover between Class II and Class III, with a handful of Class I rapids tossed in. The seven-mile run from Millville to Sandy Hook is popular with families, who can soak in the wealth of American history in the neighboring towns.
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