Northfork, West Virginia, is a small mountain town located along U.S. Route 52. The town itself does not have any whitewater rafting, but Northfork is approximately 30 miles from New River Gorge National River and Gauley River known for their whitewater rapids. Look for outfitters offering Class I to Class III trips if you're a novice or a nervous swimmer, and consider a trip with Class IV or Class V rapids if you're the adventurous type.
Rivers
Two whitewater rivers run close to Northfork. The New River is split into two halves for rafting purposes. The Upper New River has easy to intermediate rapids ranging from Class I to Class III. Upper New River trips are popular with families looking for a more relaxing rafting experience. The Lower New River has more challenging rapids, ranging from Class III to Class V. The Gauley River also has two halves. The Upper Gauley has more than 40 intense rapids, five of which are Class V. First-time rafters might consider rafting a calmer river prior to rafting the Upper Gauley. The Middle/Lower Gauley has more than 70 intermediate to extreme rapids, but is slightly less extreme than the Upper Gauley.
Rafting Outfitters
The New River Gorge area is home to numerous river rafting outfitters. Ace Adventure Resort, located just outside the town of Fayetteville, offers rafting trips of all levels on the New River and the nearby Gauley River. Rivermen Outfitters, also near Fayetteville, does various river trips on the New and Gauley rivers. Visitors to the area also have the option of taking a private raft or kayak onto the river.
Time Frame
The length of the whitewater rafting trip depends on what the company offers. Some outfitters, such as Ace Adventure, offer half-day rapid runs for those in a hurry or on a budget. Most outfitters offer full-day trips, as well as overnight trips lasting two or three days.
Activities
Paddling a raft provides a great upper body workout. When the rivers are calm, your guide might suggest you jump into the river and swim. You can swim down some rapids at certain water levels, although currents are strong, and a weak swimmer might jeopardize his safety. Rafting outfitters such as Ace and Rivermen also provide off-river activities such as zip-lining, horseback riding, fishing, ATV tours, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Safety
Safety is a major concern when rafting near Northfork. Your rafting outfitter should provide you with a personal flotation device and a helmet before taking you out on the river. If your chosen rafting outfitter gives you a safety talk, listen carefully. You must always listen to your rafting guide, because guides know the rivers well and can make judgment calls. Many companies have guests sign liability indemnification forms before setting off on their trips.
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