One of the oldest rivers in the world, the 'New' cuts its bed from the rugged West Virginia hills, winding from South to North, through the 1,000 foot gorge known far and wide as The Grand Canyon of the East - a breathtaking sight in spring, summer, or fall colors.

Within the 50-mile stretch of the New River Gorge National River, the river is divided into two distinct sections, the Upper and Lower New River. At the southern end of the park, the Upper New, the river is more placid than its lower counterpart. Intermediate canoeists encounter a few challenging Class III rapids and beginning boaters enjoy Class I to III rapids for a leisurely float with excellent fishing opportunities. North of Thurmond, the Lower New, the river’s famous whitewater (more than 25 Class II to Class IV rapids) begins in earnest..

[+] RAFTING ON THE UPPER NEW RIVER
Family Class: Class I-III • Minimum age: 5
This is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in a guided whitewater adventure. This is also a great place to gather your group, especially if you have a broad range in ages and abilities, and want something everyone can do together. Small river craft, called duckies, are challenging to learn to control and paddle through the small rapids. Paddling the duckies is encouraged and instruction is provided. This really is a fun way to negotiate this beautiful stretch of the river. The less adventurous may want to opt for riding in the raft. Calm pools are interspersed between the rapids allowing opportunities to float and swim without the boat.

[+] RAFTING ON THE LOWER NEW RIVER
Adventure Class: Class II-IV • Min age: 14 Spring, 12 Summer
This is our most popular trip and a great introduction to whitewater rafting! The Lower New River starts slow, builds momentum gradually and delivers some mighty punches - at all water levels. You are small in the vastness of the scenic and lush gorge, but the rapids make you feel otherwise. Commercially-guided trips are required to use rafts on the Lower New and NARR offers two raft formats: Standard (maximum nine plus guide) and High Adventure (maximum five plus guide).


Historic mining ghost towns pepper the gorge's walls. Calm pools between rapids offer a chance to swim and to enjoy the scenery and abundance of wildlife... from beaver to cardinal flowers to whitetail deer. With friends from home or from the office, for one day or more, this is a memorable adventure for both the experienced and beginners.