New River Gorge Rafting: America's Newest National Park on the Water
The New River Gorge in West Virginia became America's newest National Park in December 2020 (designated as a National Park and Preserve). It is one of the few national parks where commercial whitewater rafting is a centerpiece activity — and search interest has been climbing ever since the designation. Whitewatr lists 12 outfitters running New River trips in West Virginia, with prices starting around $119 on average. Always confirm current pricing directly with the outfitter.
Why the New River Gorge
The New River is, ironically, one of the oldest rivers in the world. It carves through a deep gorge in southern West Virginia, creating rapids that range from gentle Class II floats to serious Class V whitewater — all within a few miles of each other. The National Park designation has brought more visitors, more attention, and more infrastructure, but the river itself remains uncrowded compared to destinations like the Ocoee or Arkansas.
The New River Gorge also sits alongside the Gauley River — meaning you can raft two world-class rivers in one trip. Many outfitters in the Fayetteville area run trips on both rivers.
Upper New River vs. Lower New River
Upper New River (Class II-III)
Hinton to Thurmond — scenic, family-friendly
The Upper New is the family-friendly section. Class II rapids with occasional Class III waves, wide open water, and stunning scenery through the gorge. This is where most families and first-timers start. The pace is relaxed — expect swimming holes, cliff jumping spots (at your own risk), and a scenic float through the national park. Half-day and full-day trips available.
Class: II-III
Typical age minimum: 6-8
Trip length: Half-day or full-day
Best for: Families, first-timers, scenic floats, mixed-ability groups
Lower New River (Class III-V)
Cunard to Fayette Station — the big-water run
The Lower New is where the gorge deepens and the rapids get serious. This section features roughly 25 rapids over 14 miles, including the famous Upper and Lower Keeney Brothers (Class IV), Double Z (Class IV), and Undercut Rock. At higher flows in spring, several rapids reach Class V. The highlight is paddling under the iconic New River Gorge Bridge — the third-longest steel arch bridge in the world at 876 feet high. Full-day trips only.
Class: III-V (varies by water level)
Typical age minimum: 12-14
Trip length: Full-day (5-7 hours on water)
Best for: Experienced rafters, thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies, bachelor/bachelorette groups
Pricing
Upper New River: $60-$120 per person for a half-day trip; $90-$170 for a full day.
Lower New River: $100-$200+ per person for a full-day trip.
New + Gauley combo: Many outfitters offer two-day packages — New River one day, Gauley the next — at a bundled rate. Expect $250-$500+ per person for a two-day package.
Prices vary by outfitter, day of week, and season. Always confirm current pricing directly with the outfitter.
Season & Best Time to Go
Season: April through October for most outfitters. Some run early/late season trips in March and November depending on water levels.
Spring (April-June): Highest water levels from snowmelt and spring rain. The Lower New's rapids are at their most intense — several reach Class V. Best time for experienced rafters seeking big water.
Summer (July-August): Warmer water, moderate flows, and the best weather. The most popular window for families on the Upper New. Lower New drops to Class III-IV at normal summer levels.
Fall (September-October): Gauley Season brings crowds to the area, but the New River itself is less crowded. Spectacular fall foliage in the gorge. A great time for a two-river trip — New River + Gauley in the same weekend.
Pair It With Gauley Season
The New River Gorge and the Gauley River are in the same area — most outfitters run trips on both rivers out of the same base in Fayetteville or Lansing. If you are traveling to West Virginia for rafting, consider combining them:
- Day 1: Upper New River (Class II-III) as a warm-up
- Day 2: Lower New River (Class III-V) or Lower Gauley (Class III-IV)
- Day 2 (advanced): Upper Gauley (Class IV-V) for the bucket-list experience
See our Gauley River Rafting Handbook for the full Gauley Season rundown, including the dam release schedule and pricing.
The New River Gorge Bridge
No trip to the New River Gorge is complete without seeing the bridge. The New River Gorge Bridge is 876 feet above the river — the third-longest single-span arch bridge in the world. On the Lower New River trip, you paddle directly beneath it. On the third Saturday of October each year, Bridge Day draws 100,000+ spectators to watch BASE jumpers and rappellers descend from the bridge. If you time your rafting trip with Bridge Day, book everything months in advance.
Getting There
New River Gorge National Park is in southern West Virginia. Most outfitters are based in Fayetteville, Lansing, or Beckley.
- Charleston, WV — 1 hour
- Lexington, KY — 3 hours
- Pittsburgh, PA — 3.5 hours
- Washington, DC — 4 hours
- Charlotte, NC — 4 hours
- Columbus, OH — 3.5 hours
New River Outfitters on Whitewatr
12 outfitters run trips on the New River in West Virginia, with prices from $119 to $119.
| Outfitter | Location | Class | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACE Adventure Resort | Oak Hill, WV | — | — |
| Adventures on the Gorge | Lansing, WV | — | — |
| New River Gorge Outfitters | Hinton, WV | — | — |
| River Expeditions | Oak Hill, WV | — | — |
| West Virginia Adventures | Glen Jean, WV | III-IV | $119 |
| Cantrell Ultimate Rafting | Fayetteville, WV | — | — |
| Alpine Ministries | Mount Hope, WV | — | — |
| USA Raft Adventure Resort | Oak Hill, WV | — | — |
| River Expeditions | Oak Hill, WV | — | — |
| River Expeditions | Fayetteville, WV | — | — |
| ACE Adventure Resort | Hico, WV | — | — |
| New River Gorge Outfitters | Lansing, WV | — | — |
Common Questions
Is the New River Gorge the same as the Gauley River?
No — they are two separate rivers in the same area of West Virginia. Most outfitters run trips on both. The New River has a wider range of difficulty (Class II-V) while the Gauley is primarily Class III-V.
When did New River Gorge become a National Park?
December 2020. It was redesignated from a National River to a National Park and Preserve. The park designation covers about 7,000 acres; the broader preserve area allows hunting and other traditional uses.
Can families raft here?
Yes — the Upper New River (Class II-III) is one of the best family rafting destinations in the eastern US. Kids ages 6-8+ can typically participate.
Do I need to pay a National Park entrance fee to raft?
No. As of the current designation, New River Gorge does not charge an entrance fee.
Plan Your New River Gorge Trip
Browse outfitters in West Virginia and find the right New River trip for your group.
View West Virginia OutfittersData based on 519 verified outfitters on Whitewatr. Last updated April 2026.