FAYETTEVILLE, W. Va., (WVDN) – Rafting season has begun at Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG) in the New River Gorge. With a line-up of rafting adventures on the New and Gauley Rivers as well as their tributaries, AOTG is the largest and most experienced outfitter in this popular Southern West Virginia destination.
“We strive to ensure that you navigate the rivers your way, whether it’s a relaxing sightseeing tour or a heart-thumping run with huge rapids,” said Roger Wilson, general manager of the resort. “From milder family-friendly half-day adventures in two-person kayaks to full-day adventures with riverside lunch, there’s a rafting adventure for everyone.”
Most spring rafting with AOTG occurs on the New River where water levels are dependent upon rainfall to the south – mainly in North Carolina – which makes its way north to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Rafting the New River
The New River includes Lower and Upper sections. Rafting on the Lower New River features complex currents and rapids up to Class IV. There is typically big whitewater in the spring and early summer with intermittent long, calm pools for swimming and floating.
The rafting season began April 1 with half-day trips on the Lower New, which has been the East’s most popular trip for more than 50 years. Rafting on the Upper New River begins in late May. This portion of the river is much calmer throughout the season, making it a good choice for families with children as young as six. When summer arrives AOTG offers additional rafting options such as the Family Lower New River Trip, Overnight 2-Day Trips, Lower New River Sunset Dinner, The Driesand more.
New River trips in spring include:
Full-day Lower New River.Starting in May, participants will be on the water for four-six hours, including stops for a riverside lunch and swimming. Rates start at $139.
Half-Day Lower New River Rapid Run. Rafters run the same stretch of river as the full-day trip, except they do not make any stops. The trip takes two-3.5 hours. Rates start at $119.
Rafting the Gauley River
Adventures on the Gorge offers Gauley River rafting trips sporadically beginning in mid-May, but the frequency of water releases from Summersville Lake varies. In September and October, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water on weekends to create controlled and predictable rafting flows.
Unlike the New River, the biggest waves occur on the Upper section, roughly 12-13 miles starting just below Summersville Dam. The Lower Gauley is also 12-13 miles long with a handful fewer rapids. The Gauley River is comprised of 97 named rapids – including nine Class V – spread out over just 25 miles.
Many rafters choose to raft the Lower Gauley first before returning a second day to tackle the Upper Gauley. The Lower Gauley features steep cliff walls and dramatic rock formations that have prompted some people to label it the “Grand Canyon of the East.” This section is easily one of the most stunning stretches of intense whitewater in the nation with many Class III-V rapids.
Best Run of the Day
For those who prefer to raft on a whim, the “Best Run of the Day” allows the river manager to choose.
On any given day, the best run could be the Upper Gauley, Middle Gauley, Lower Gauley or Lower New as well as the less-frequently run Dries on the New River or the Cherry River.
The Dries refers to the section of the New River just below the Hawk’s Nest Dam. The Cherry is a tributary of the Gauley featuring Class III rapids.
Jet Boat Tours
Some people prefer a smooth water experience such as AOTG’s Jet Boat Tours at nearby Hawks Nest State Park. These 40-minute (two hours total when factoring transportation to and from the AOTG campus), 16-passenger tours travel upstream from the New River Jet Boats Marina at Hawks Nest State Park close to the New River Gorge Bridge. The trips depart multiple times a day, and there are no age restrictions. Trips cost $45 for adults, $35 for seniors, $29 for youths 5-12 and $10 for children 1-4. Jet Boat Tours are available from May 1 through Oct. 31.
Lodging and Dining
The resort offers several cabin options including deluxe multi-bedroom cabins with kitchens, living areas and private hot tubs; hotel-style cabins and loft-style cabins with multiple beds in an upstairs loft and a living area, bathroom and private deck on the main level.
The resort’s signature restaurant, Smokey’s on the Gorge is open daily 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. serving its lunch menu until May 22 when it will begin serving lunch 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner 4 – 9 p.m. Starting May 5, Smokey’s will host Monday Wing Nights featuring smoked wings and live music.
Chetty’s Pubis closed for renovations until May 22 when it will be open daily 3 – 11 p.m., serving up an elevated menu of signature sandwiches and sharable dishes like spicy fried oysters, crispy calamari, and short ribs.
Additional Activities
In addition to whitewater rafting, the resort offers a variety of aerial and other adventures. TreeTops Canopy Tour features 11 zip lines and seven sky bridges. Gravity Ziplines
