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America's Best Whitewater West Virginia

West Virginia's rivers offer the widest range of whitewater experiences available anywhere, from gently rippling streams to explosive rapids. Each one has its own unique beauty and poses its own unique challenges.

The New River is the longest commercially raftable river in the East, offering everything from gentle float trips to thunderous whitewater. The Upper New is scenic and relaxing, with just enough whitewater action to keep you hopping. The Lower New is powerful and intense, with a tremendous succession of Class IV and V rapids that have earned it consistent rankings as one of the ten best in the world.

The Gauley River is one of the most challenging in the world. The Upper Gauley is highly technical, requiring great skill to negotiate its narrow chutes and machine-gun rapids. It ranks in the top five in the world for whitewater adventure. The Lower Gauley is a complete, all-in-one rafting experience that features numerous big Class IV and V rapids interspersed by broad pools and tremendous scenery.

The Cheat River, in northern West Virginia, is powered by the largest unrestricted watershed in the East and offers a full range of rafting including numerous highly technical Class IV and V rapids in a wilderness canyon. The Narrows is a spectacular natural feature along the Cheat.

The Tygart River is a tributary of the Cheat that offers adventurous rafting in the spring, when water levels are highest, and a full range of river sports in the summer and fall. It is often combined with the Cheat into package trips.

The Potomac River offers exciting rafting in eastern West Virginia during April, May and September, when large controlled releases are made from the Jennings Randolph Dam upstream. Year-round, the Potomac also is one of the best fishing rivers in the East.

The Shenandoah River joins the Potomac at historic Harper's Ferry, W.Va., and provides rafting and other river-sports opportunities to residents of nearby East Coast metropolitan areas and to visitors from far and wide.

Several other West Virginia streams are favorites for specialized activities, including the Meadow River, Big Sandy Creek and the Bluestone River. The Lower Meadow, with its succession of big drops and narrow chutes, is a particular favorite of kayakers looking for the ultimate in action and excitement. Big Sandy Creek is another favorite of kayakers when spring rainfall creates a series of falls that challenge the world's best. The Bluestone is known for canoeing, float trips and great fishing.

River Classes

Class I (Easy). Is the water flowing with a few small waves and perhaps some rocks off to the side? If so, you're probably in a Class I rapid. These are not the rapids that build a guide's repertoire of campfire bravado. Note their presence, but relax and enjoy the scenery.

Class II (Novice). Like Class I rapids, Class II rapids rarely are named. Waves may be up to approximately three feet high, so you may get a little wet. Get used to it.

Class III (Intermediate). Now is the time to sound the barbaric yawps. Just as you're getting all giggly and gooey like with your guide and fellow rafters, you'll hear the first Class III coming and look up to see perhaps a small falls, some large rocks and certainly some large waves. Intermediate boaters will have no problem guiding through these rapids, but due attention should be paid.

Class IV (Advanced). Take these rapids very seriously, stab hard with your paddle, and you'll be shouting excitedly and wearing a big smile when you reach the still water below. Class IV rapids are marked by turbulent waves, a hard current and rocks forcing skilled navigation.

Class V (Expert). Class V rapids are hardcore whitewater. Many commercial rafting trips don't include these rapids, but even beginning rafters can experience a Class V with an expert guide. Careful scouting, constant vigilance and expert navigation are required to avoid large rocks and to precisely negotiate deceitful currents, steep drops and colossal waves.

Class VI (Extreme). Once labeled as impassable, Class VI rapids have been negotiated by teams of experts. Class VI rapids are where you speak to the gods, whispering your own quiet prayer. Fierce water pounds through chaotic chutes marked by many forbidding rocks and stomach churning drops. Only experts are allowed to put themselves in the throes of a Class VI. Commercial rafting does not occur on Class VI rapids.