5.0(558)· West Virginia· By West Virginia Adventures Free cancellationPrivate tour
Experience the thrill of guided whitewater rafting through the stunning New River Gorge National Park. This adventure is perfect for your bucket list or for becoming a seasoned paddler! With Class III/IV rapids, you're guaranteed an unforgettable, high-adventure trip. No prior experience is necessary, and trips are available from March through October. Our day trips begin at 9 AM and include a catered lunch break by the river. Short on time? Opt for the Afternoon Express run, departing daily at 3 PM.
- ✓Personal flotation device (life vest), helmet, and paddle provided.
- ✓Professional guide included in your raft.
- ✓Local taxes are covered.
- ✓Included only for the 9 AM trip.
- ✕Gratuities for guides are not included.
- ✕DVDs, videos, and photos are available for purchase separately.
- ✕Wetsuits, paddle jackets, and water shoes are available for rent.
Activity Schedule
6 h
Enjoy an exhilarating rafting adventure in New River Gorge National Park, led by our expert guides. Navigate Class III/IV rapids amidst breathtaking scenery. A catered lunch is provided on the river at the halfway point for the 9 AM trip (lunch is not included on the Afternoon Express).
Your day begins with check-in at our BaseCamp, where you'll meet your Trip Leader and Guide. We'll address any questions or concerns and equip you with a paddle, PFD (personal flotation device/life jacket), and helmet.
During the brief bus ride to the river, we'll cover essential safety instructions, prepare you for the experience, and ensure a fun atmosphere.
Upon reaching the river, you'll board the raft with your group and Guide. After a few practice strokes, you'll feel the excitement of your first rapid! The national forest offers spectacular views, from historic coal mining remnants nestled in majestic mountains to diverse wildlife including birds of prey, water birds, and even bald eagles.
Your river journey concludes beneath the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, once the world's longest single-span arch bridge. This impressive structure measures 3000 feet in length, stands 876 feet above the river, and ranks as the third tallest bridge in the United States.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Your mobile or paper ticket is accepted. One ticket is required per booking.
Take Highway 19 North from Beckley/I-77/I-64 for approximately 10 minutes. At the second traffic light, turn left up the hill, and then make an immediate left onto the first paved driveway.
Take Highway 19 North from Beckley/I-77/I-64 for approximately 10 minutes. At the second traffic light, turn left up the hill, and then make an immediate left onto the first paved driveway.
The tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to guests who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication, due to safety considerations. Cancellations resulting from this policy are not eligible for a refund.
This activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers.
- Travelers should possess at least a moderate level of physical fitness.
- Recommended for individuals aged 11 and above.
- Please inform us of any specific dietary needs when booking.
- Contact us to discuss accommodations for disabilities or service animals.
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately.
- Notify your guide of any relevant medical conditions before the trip begins. Consult your physician regarding any health concerns before rafting.
- 3:00 PM Afternoon Express Trip
- Duration: 4 hours
- 9:00 AM Day Trip with Lunch
- Duration: 6 hours
- Wear quick-drying clothing and secure footwear.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap, and a water bottle.
- Listen carefully to your guide's safety instructions.
- Be prepared for all weather conditions.
- Inform your guide of any medical conditions.
- Consider purchasing photos to capture your adventure.
To receive a full refund, please cancel your booking at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 18198P1
Activity offered by West Virginia Adventures via Viator.
- Adventure seekers
- Nature enthusiasts
- Families with older children (11+)
- Groups
- Experience thrilling Class III/IV rapids.
- Explore the scenic New River Gorge National Park.
- Guided by experienced professionals.
- Suitable for beginners, no experience needed.
- Catered riverside lunch included on day trips.
- Witness spectacular natural beauty and wildlife.
- Population
- 1,793,716 (2020)
- Elevation
- 455 m
- Currency
- United States dollar
- Driving
- on the right
- Power plugs
- A, B · 120 V
- Emergency number
- 911
- Capital city
- Washington, D.C.
Average temperatures- -2°Jan
- 0°Feb
- 5°Mar
- 11°Apr
- 16°May
- 20°Jun
- 22°Jul
- 22°Aug
- 19°Sept
- 12°Oct
- 6°Nov
- 1°Dec
Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is the minimum age for this rafting trip?+
The recommended age for this activity is 11 years and up.
Do I need any prior rafting experience?+
No, no prior experience is required for this trip. Our guides will provide all necessary instruction.
What should I wear for the rafting trip?+
It is recommended to wear quick-drying clothing and secure footwear. You should also be prepared for varying weather conditions.
Is lunch included in the trip?+
A catered lunch break on the river is included for the 9 AM Day Trip. Lunch is not provided on the Afternoon Express trip.
What happens if the weather is bad?+
The tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately. The tour is not canceled due to weather.
Can I bring my own food or drinks?+
While a lunch is provided on the day trip, specific details about bringing personal food or drinks are not mentioned. It's best to confirm directly with the operator.
Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Great People and a Great Time
abbyk812, September 2026
Like I said, this was a super great time! The rafting was good with some other activities during like swimming down the river, jumping off some rocks, and a nice lunch. The guide, Rosco, and the other staff were super nice and gave us a ton of recommendations for coffee, swimming areas, and food in the area. We went when the outside temps were around 65 (chilly), but the company provided wet suits and made sure we were warm the entire time (one staff member offered to give another layer to one of my friends that was cold). This route is best for groups with older folks or kids. The people in my group are in their 20s, so we will probably do something more challenging next time.
Response from the operator · Crystal W
Abby, thank you for the wonderful review!
We're so glad your group had such a great time with us, even if Mother Nature decided to make things a little chilly!
We'll make sure Rosco and the rest of the crew see your compliments. We want our guests to be comfortable and well taken care of, whether that means making sure everyone has enough layers to stay warm or sharing our favorite local spots for coffee, food, and exploring the Gorge. We love sharing our home with visitors!
It sounds like you got a little bit of everything on your trip—rafting, swimming, rock jumping, lunch along the river, and some great memories with friends.
And we love that you're already thinking about something a little more challenging next time! The New and Gauley Rivers have plenty of adventures to offer, and we'd be happy to help your group find the next level of excitement.
Thank you for choosing our small, family-owned outfitter. We'll be ready when you're ready to turn up the adventure!
~ Crystal
★★★★★Viator review
The best rafting company this side of the gorge
Elannah_V, September 2026
Such an awesome company you will not regret going rafting with these guys. The group we went with was a bit smaller than other companies we saw on the river (3 boats vs 6/7) which is so nice because it felt very personable and relaxed. We were well advised on safety, what to do if we fell out, but also how to not fall out in the first place. On the river, we were able to get out and swim, go jumping off a big rock, and also enjoy a nice lunch by the water without any chaos. The three guides Sam, Kristin, and graham were all so amazing, and worked well together to quickly rescue people who fell out of the raft (only 2). We were in graham’s raft and I cannot recommend him as a guide enough. He was hilarious, knowledgeable about the history and ecology of the gorge, and so good at navigating choppy waters. We felt incredibly safe under his guidance and he made sure we had a great time and learned a bit along the way. If you use this company, you’ll have a blast no matter what, but graham’s boat is the place to be. Also shout out to the bus driver Jerry who navigated some tight turns and illegally parked cars like a true professional.
Response from the operator · Crystal W
Elannah, thank you for this incredible review!
You really captured what we're trying to create at West Virginia Adventures. We're intentionally a smaller, local outfitter because three boats instead of a huge procession allows us to slow things down, get to know our guests, and actually enjoy the river together.
We'll make sure Sam, Kristin, Graham, and Jerry all see their shout-outs. Safety is always our first priority, and we're glad you noticed that it starts before the rafts ever hit the water. Knowing what to do—and preferably how to stay IN the raft in the first place—makes the fun part even better!
It sounds like Graham gave you the full experience: whitewater, some laughs, Gorge history and ecology, and some pretty great lines through the rapids. And Jerry successfully navigating tight West Virginia roads around creatively parked vehicles absolutely deserves recognition too!
Swimming, rock jumping, lunch beside the river, great whitewater, and only two swimmers requiring a quick rescue sounds like a pretty successful adventure to us.
Thank you for supporting our small, local company and for such a thoughtful recommendation. This one means a lot to our crew.
~ Crystal
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Awesome trip & guide
maxwellc655, August 2026
The Ascend Program put together a rafting trip in conjunction with West Virginia Adventures - camping, rafting, lunch, & swimming! We had an absolute blast! Our guide, Dan, was awesome too. The rapids were a little bigger than I’d imagined, but his expertise, skillset, & knowledge proved for the trip to be safe & fun. Will 100% be back!
Response from the operator · Crystal W
Thank you for the awesome review, Maxwell!
We loved having the Ascend Program out for the full West Virginia Adventures experience—camping, rafting, swimming, lunch, and plenty of whitewater!
We'll make sure Dan sees your shout-out. Sometimes those rapids look a little bigger once you're sitting at river level staring them down, but that's where having an experienced guide makes all the difference. We're glad Dan's knowledge and skill helped everyone feel safe while still having an absolute blast.
The fact that you'll 100% be back is the best compliment we could ask for. We'll be ready!
~ Crystal
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
From Terrified to Sign Me Up for Another
lauriecZ1664UY, August 2026
Highly recommend this trip for 2 reasons. First they were amazing. I was terrified but all was good and now I'm dying to do it again, maybe a little wilder. We had Rad and Roscoe to guide us and couldn't have been happier with them. It was a really good time. Second it's one of the few rafting companies not owned by large corporations. Skiing is lost, but whitewater rafting hasn't totally lost so let's support the little guy especially when they're doing such a great job!!
Response from the operator · Crystal W
Laurie, THIS is the kind of review we love!
Going from terrified to "sign me up for something a little wilder" in one trip is a pretty successful day on the river!
We'll make sure Rad and Roscoe see your compliments. Helping someone work through those nerves, build confidence, and discover that they actually LOVE whitewater is one of the most rewarding parts of what our guides do.
And thank you especially for recognizing and supporting the smaller outfitters. We're proud to be locally and family owned. We may not have the biggest operation in the Gorge, but that allows us to focus on something that's incredibly important to us—a personal experience where our guests aren't just another raft in a long line.
Thank you for choosing the little guy. Now about that "little wilder" trip... we know a few rapids. 😉
~ Crystal
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Great experience
hinal2024, August 2026
Great guide and great service! Nice that lunch was included and we got Gatorade and drinks on the bus after we were done. Awesome experience. Would do it again and recommend to others.
Response from the operator · Crystal W
Thank you for the wonderful review!
We're so glad you had such an awesome experience from beginning to end. A great day on the river should include exciting whitewater, a good guide, lunch along the way, and something cold to drink when you finally climb back on that bus!
Hearing that you'd do it again and recommend us to others means a lot to our entire crew.
Thank you for choosing West Virginia Adventures. We hope to see you back for round two!
~ Crystal
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