Help me plan a whitewater rafting trip in West Virginia
June 7, 2011 6:08 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to plan a whitewater rafting trip to West Virginia for four adults, two 13-year-olds, and one enthusiastic 8-year-old. I could use suggestions on where to stay and which rafting company to pick.
From my inexpert googling it looks like the Upper New River is the place for us, but where to stay? what else to do? Ideally I'd like to be close to the rafting outfitter but also within reasonable driving distance of other fun-for-kids activities (e.g., hiking, zip lines, mini golf, etc.). There's no firm budget and we don't have to all stay in the same cabin, but if we stay in a hotel or motel, a pool would be a plus. If we stay in a cabin it must have at least two bathrooms. Any ideas or advice on this specific trip or on how one plans such a trip would be appreciated.
From my inexpert googling it looks like the Upper New River is the place for us, but where to stay? what else to do? Ideally I'd like to be close to the rafting outfitter but also within reasonable driving distance of other fun-for-kids activities (e.g., hiking, zip lines, mini golf, etc.). There's no firm budget and we don't have to all stay in the same cabin, but if we stay in a hotel or motel, a pool would be a plus. If we stay in a cabin it must have at least two bathrooms. Any ideas or advice on this specific trip or on how one plans such a trip would be appreciated.
I've heard good things about Class VI. They have 2BR 2BA cabins that sound very comfy.
posted by Orinda at 6:59 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by Orinda at 6:59 PM on June 7, 2011
Best answer: My friend used to work for Class VI, and they seemed to do a pretty good job of running their business. They should be able to give you lots of suggestions for things to do and places to stay in the nearby area and they have the cutest little massage house ever.
Seconding the Cathedral Cafe for breakfast, yum!
There's a trail on the New River gorge that will take you to one of those little sky-boat thingies... like a ski-lift? I don't remember what they're called, but it gives you an awesome view of the gorge and it's super fun. In the summer time, the trail is covered with incredibly delicious wine-berries - like a raspberry, but sweeter and amazing. The plant is actually invasive, but it sure tastes awesome. It's also a good time to be scouting for mushrooms - mostly inedibles, like the weirdo stinkhorns. If you get a mushroom guide book, it might be a fun activity for kids.
Strolling through Fayetteville is pretty nice - there's a good jams and preserves shop near the turn for the trail I mentioned - I'm sorry I don't recall the name, but if you ask the folks at Class VI they should know. The music shop is a friendly place to hang out, too, and they should have the word on acts that come through - some pretty stellar ones if you're into bluegrass/footstomping music. You could probably also pick up a few harmonicas and get some impromptu lessons from the guys there, who are super nice.
Hawk's Nest is nearby, and the New River bridge is one of the tallest freestanding in the world. There's a great swimming hole directly under the bridge which is accessible by some crazy steep and winding roads, but it's a popular spot to visit and swim around in.
If you're going in August, there's a great string band music festival fairly nearby - I think it's the first week of August, and it's called the Appalachian String Band Music Festival / Clifftop. Lots of competitions, flatfooting, square dancing type stuff.
There should be places to stay in town, and cabins in the nearby Mon National Forest.
Oh, Summersville Lake is so gorgeous! I think it's about a half hour away.
Let me know if you need any further recommendations - this is just off the top of my head, and I could give you more info if you were willing to venture out into the one or two hour range. If you're feeling super adventurous, people bungee jump off of the New River bridge.
Also, a total second on the Cathedral Cafe. Yum! Yum!
posted by ajarbaday at 7:03 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Cathedral Cafe for breakfast, yum!
There's a trail on the New River gorge that will take you to one of those little sky-boat thingies... like a ski-lift? I don't remember what they're called, but it gives you an awesome view of the gorge and it's super fun. In the summer time, the trail is covered with incredibly delicious wine-berries - like a raspberry, but sweeter and amazing. The plant is actually invasive, but it sure tastes awesome. It's also a good time to be scouting for mushrooms - mostly inedibles, like the weirdo stinkhorns. If you get a mushroom guide book, it might be a fun activity for kids.
Strolling through Fayetteville is pretty nice - there's a good jams and preserves shop near the turn for the trail I mentioned - I'm sorry I don't recall the name, but if you ask the folks at Class VI they should know. The music shop is a friendly place to hang out, too, and they should have the word on acts that come through - some pretty stellar ones if you're into bluegrass/footstomping music. You could probably also pick up a few harmonicas and get some impromptu lessons from the guys there, who are super nice.
Hawk's Nest is nearby, and the New River bridge is one of the tallest freestanding in the world. There's a great swimming hole directly under the bridge which is accessible by some crazy steep and winding roads, but it's a popular spot to visit and swim around in.
If you're going in August, there's a great string band music festival fairly nearby - I think it's the first week of August, and it's called the Appalachian String Band Music Festival / Clifftop. Lots of competitions, flatfooting, square dancing type stuff.
There should be places to stay in town, and cabins in the nearby Mon National Forest.
Oh, Summersville Lake is so gorgeous! I think it's about a half hour away.
Let me know if you need any further recommendations - this is just off the top of my head, and I could give you more info if you were willing to venture out into the one or two hour range. If you're feeling super adventurous, people bungee jump off of the New River bridge.
Also, a total second on the Cathedral Cafe. Yum! Yum!
posted by ajarbaday at 7:03 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oops, mentioned the Cathedral Cafe twice and missed the Class VI recommendation by a heartbeat.
posted by ajarbaday at 7:03 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by ajarbaday at 7:03 PM on June 7, 2011
Many, many, many years ago we went with Ace Whitewater (and stayed in one of their cabins). I don't know if they're still good, but I learned two things: One, it's good to stay somewhere where you'll have access to a lake and toys like little sit-on-top kayaks. And two, self-bailing rafts--don't get in a raft that isn't self-bailing, bailing is too much like work.
posted by anaelith at 7:34 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by anaelith at 7:34 PM on June 7, 2011
I've been on Class VI; but stayed in a hotel back in Beckley both times.
I was very pleased with their service; I'm an insulin pump wearer, and they took very good care of my pump so that I could enjoy the trip. I can definitely add to the chorus of positive voices about them.
posted by stevis23 at 8:35 PM on June 7, 2011
I was very pleased with their service; I'm an insulin pump wearer, and they took very good care of my pump so that I could enjoy the trip. I can definitely add to the chorus of positive voices about them.
posted by stevis23 at 8:35 PM on June 7, 2011
Also a Class VI happy customer as well as a cabin renter. We went on the weekend when folks were base jumping off the Bridge. Amazing to watch and a whole friendly party atmosphere on the bridge itself. Also ate at Dirty Ernie's and my traveling companions and I loved it for the bbq and beer. We had two 16 year olds with us who were in our 30's . All good. Hard to say about 8 year old although I think he would do fine on the river.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:33 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:33 PM on June 7, 2011
Best answer: I was just there last month; the Canyon Rim Visitor Center at the deservedly famous bridge over the north part of the gorge is a great jumping-off point for a few easy and a few not-so-easy hikes with some pretty thrilling overlooks (there are also lots of rafting companies nearby). The official park Trails Guide [pdf] is very helpful for sorting out length, difficulty, etc. Scroll down to page 4, e.g., and check the descriptions; I loved the Endless Wall trail, which isn't too strenuous in itself but passes at least 3 climbing access points which have a series of vertical ladders that may be just the thing for an adventurous 13-year-old. Lots of adrenaline-y fun. And the overlooks! Amazing views of the river and wildlife. I'm sure other trails have equally fabulous things to offer, but that one was definitely a keeper. The Kaymoor Miner's Trail is tough but short and has lots of info about the decaying buildings left over from the coal days.
(Oh, for what it's worth, I set up a tent at Rifrafters, which also has cabins with communal bath/showers a few feet away. Obviously not what you're looking for this time out, but thought I'd mention it for future reference. The owner was exceptionally helpful and friendly and the rates were excellent.)
posted by mediareport at 10:02 PM on June 7, 2011
(Oh, for what it's worth, I set up a tent at Rifrafters, which also has cabins with communal bath/showers a few feet away. Obviously not what you're looking for this time out, but thought I'd mention it for future reference. The owner was exceptionally helpful and friendly and the rates were excellent.)
posted by mediareport at 10:02 PM on June 7, 2011
Earlier in my life I used to run the New River every spring and the Gauley River every fall. I always used North American River Runners and was very satisfied with their operation. It's been over ten years since I've gone, though.
If you enjoy the New River trip, I highly recommend trying a Gauley trip in the fall. The Gauley is a much more intense ride - it's steeper and the trips are only run for a few fall weekends when they can guarantee water flow by releasing water from the lake at Summersville.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 3:37 AM on June 8, 2011
If you enjoy the New River trip, I highly recommend trying a Gauley trip in the fall. The Gauley is a much more intense ride - it's steeper and the trips are only run for a few fall weekends when they can guarantee water flow by releasing water from the lake at Summersville.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 3:37 AM on June 8, 2011
I was there last month as well. We did the Lower New and stayed at the Holiday Lodge Oak Hill (very reasonably) which isn't anything special, but does have a pool and a hot tub.
Also in the area (a pretty 20 minute trip) is the "ghost town" of Thurmond - an old railroad town, which is cool if you're into that sort of thing. (Poking around abandoned buildings.)
As for the rafting experience, I liked the Lower New All Day experience with ACE. I was a complete novice, and so I didn't know what to expect. The first part of the day is a couple little rapids and mostly just getting used to rafting. Lunch is a pretty chill grill experience which was tasty and filling (and even had a vegetarian option!). Following lunch, the rapids are nonstop and you're ready for it, until you finally finish up after a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge.
And more of a non-recommendation: In case you aren't already scared off by the idea of tapas in West Virginia, as any sane person would be, you can skip Sedona Cantina.
posted by jph at 12:38 PM on June 8, 2011
Also in the area (a pretty 20 minute trip) is the "ghost town" of Thurmond - an old railroad town, which is cool if you're into that sort of thing. (Poking around abandoned buildings.)
As for the rafting experience, I liked the Lower New All Day experience with ACE. I was a complete novice, and so I didn't know what to expect. The first part of the day is a couple little rapids and mostly just getting used to rafting. Lunch is a pretty chill grill experience which was tasty and filling (and even had a vegetarian option!). Following lunch, the rapids are nonstop and you're ready for it, until you finally finish up after a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge.
And more of a non-recommendation: In case you aren't already scared off by the idea of tapas in West Virginia, as any sane person would be, you can skip Sedona Cantina.
posted by jph at 12:38 PM on June 8, 2011
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That area also has some of the best rock climbing in the southeast, if anyone climbs.
There's actually some decent bbq at dirty ernie's right outside of town.
The cathedral cafe has a great breakfast.
posted by TheBones at 6:11 PM on June 7, 2011