Choose a white water rafting trip

Participation Levels

Each section has quick referance guages to help you find the ideal white water trip for you. These are general guidelines, if you have any questions give us a call. If you have health issues, are on medicine or pregnant, we recommend you ask the advise of your doctor.

Easier Whitewater:

Minimum Age 6 / Class I-III+ Rapids - Upper New River

This is a beginner-friendly whitewater adventure with lots of flexibility - a great way to get the whole family involved, from kids to grandparents. You can ride along in a guided raft or go it alone in a single or tandem ducky (inflatable kayak - our most popular option on this section). Fun and easy paddling with wide, clear channels to navigate. Rafters have little risk of encountering anything but fun and big smiles.

Moderate Whitewater:

Minimum Age 11 / Class II-V+ Rapids - Lower New River, Summer Gauley Intermediate, Fall Lower Gauley

First-timers welcomed. Action packed whitewater thrills that require teamwork to navigate through fun-filled rapids. Swimming skills are encouraged - there is always a chance to swim. You must be willing to listen to commands - some of the rapids can be long with multiple channels and drops. The time of year and water level can impact this scale.

Challenging Whitewater:

Minimum Age 15 / Class III-V (V+) - Fall Upper Gauley, Summer Gauley Advanced

This is serious fun! A high level of fitness and passion for adventure is required to tackle these often long, complex and very turbulent rapids. Steep drops, river obstructions and more constricted chutes require quick response to your guides instructions. Experienced recommended with strong swimming skills. First time rafters should consider trying an easier section before trying these sections.

Minimum Ages

The minimum age gauges should be used as a general guideline. It should be noted that each child has different maturity levels, size, fitness levels and other issues. For example when we say the minimum age for the Lower New River is 11, parents should use good judgement and try to decide how their children will handle things. If they don't listen well, and are unlikely to listen to instructions and follow commands, then maybe they should try an easier section like the Upper New River first to see how they handle the situation. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we can discuss options.

 International Scale of River Difficulty

These classifications are a general way of understanding rapids and are written for paddlers, like kayakers, so that they can better understand what to expect on a given river section they have never scene. Commercial outffiters like North American River Runners have highly trained and experienced guides that know these rivers like no others. We have specialized gear and custom designed rafts that help to minimize the risks associated with whitewater.

Class I

Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice

Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated “Class II+”.

Class III: Intermediate

Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe (all of our rafts and duckies are self bailing - they have inflated floors that quickly drains any water that comes in). Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated “Class III-” or “Class III+” respectively.

Class IV: Advanced

Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require “must” moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated “Class IV-” or “Class IV+” respectively.

Class 5: Expert

Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to added risk. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is recommended but may be difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is often difficult even for experts. Proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential. Because of the large range of difficulty that exists beyond Class IV, Class 5 is an open-ended, multiple-level scale designated by class 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, etc… each of these levels is an order of magnitude more difficult than the last. Example: increasing difficulty from Class 5.0 to Class 5.1 is a similar order of magnitude as increasing from Class IV to Class 5.0.

Class VI: Extreme and Exploratory Rapids (NARR does not run Class VI rapids commercially)

These runs have almost never been attempted and often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. After a Class VI rapids has been run many times, its rating may be changed to an apppropriate Class 5.x rating. Not commercially runnable.

Note: Classification of rapids are difficult and change with different river levels, weather conditions and experience. All rapids should be taken serious - a Class I or II rapid has potential hazards just like a Class V rapid. A lifejacket (PFD) and helemt must be worn at all times even in pools or relatively calm water.

• Remember these descriptions were written mainly for kayakers - in rafts, a much more stable water craft, these descriptions would be written a little different. For example, there are some really tough holes on our rivers that kayakers find difficult while a 16-foot raft barely notices it.

Spring White Water Rafting Trips: April through mid-May

Upper New River Trips
Lower New River Trips
Spring & Summer Gauley River Trips
River Packages

Springtime in the mountains of West Virginia is a special time of the year. Spring wildflowers blanket the forest floors and the trees are just beginning to cover the landscape, allowing specatular views of the deep canyons and cliffs. River levels in general are usually at their highest, making the New and Gauley River especially exciting! The New River can exceed the Colorado River in volume with epic wave-trains and explosive whitewater. The Gauley River roars to life, with the only sound louder than the rapids in the pounding of your heart! The rivers change constantly in the spring, never giving you the same ride... it's like a completely different river everytime you go out.

In the springtime the rivers are a lot less crowded than the summer months. The weather can be a little chancy at times and we recommend wetsuits and warm gear just encase. And you will save some money with the prices at their lowest. Check out our great spring specials, book a amenity-rich cabin with your own private hot tub, and enjoy a special river experience that you will talk about the rest of your life.

Today’s technology has created solutions to cold weather rafting in lightweight formats. Check out any active clothing catalog for an abundance of options. Layering is the preferred technique when kept to a minimum (i.e. – you don’t want so many layers that they constrict body movement and blood flow). Layers trap more body heat and can be peeled off to suit temperature changes. If you don’t want to invest in more gear (although the clothing does lend itself to other active pursuits), wetsuits (available for rent) work well, too. Don’t forget to protect the head and neck – these are sources of heat loss. Recommended footwear includes wetsuit booties or wool/fleece socks with lightweight shoes (no need for heavy duty boots) that have good soles on them.

Groups with young children and those looking for a mild introduction to whitewater should consider the Upper New in the spring. This will provide a good feel for what rafting is like without getting yourself in too deep, so to speak. The rapids on the Upper New are smaller than any other section, yet still provide a wonderful taste of river running. The Lower New can feature some seriously big whitewater in the spring if conditions are right. The sections of the Gauley River can also boast some very challenging whitewater – often much bigger than anything during the Fall Gauley Releases.

Summer White Water Rafting Trips: Mid-May through early September

Upper New River Trips
Lower New River Trips
Spring & Summer Gauley River Trips
River Packages

If you’re more of the fair weather type, a summer rafting trip may be your best (and most comfortable) bet. Be forewarned that spending up to eight hours on water reflecting the sun’s rays can create for some very painful sunburn. A number of solutions include building up to sun exposure gradually over time, wearing protective lightweight clothing and applying sunscreen frequently and then some. The weather is not as temperamental as the spring, but summer storms frequently blow in and out in a day, or several times in a day.

During the summer months the river levels are generally lower than in the spring as the spring rains have tapered off and summer is in full swing. The lush foliage is soaking up the moisture as it reaches its peak of nutrient need. Occasionally, heavy local rainfall can swell the rivers to flood stage. At times, heavy rains in the headwaters can impact levels here without any local rainfall. The rapids are relatively less intimidating and less pushy at summer level than their high water counterparts. At moderate levels, the waves are still big and the hydraulics can be steep. At the lower levels, the waves tend to disappear as the drops themselves become more distinct (often steeper) and the water becomes channelized. Often the routes through the rapids become more challenging because of the increased number of exposed rocks and less water flowing through a given area.

Clothing at this time of year generally doesn’t require anything more than what you already own (which means no additional investment in gear!). A pair of shorts over your bathing suit with a t-shirt and windbreaker generally round out your clothing needs. Add sun and wind protection with a lightweight windbreaker and sun visor or hat. Protect your feet with a good pair of lightweight shoes with good soles or river sandals. Far too many of the aqua shoes (those pull-on water shoes) have ended up at the bottom of the river – they just don’t stay on well in fast-moving water.

This time of year truly provides something for just about everyone. The Upper New is a great place to start with its gentle whitewater. The Lower New is primed for summertime fun. Spring and Summer Gauley trips are a welcome change to the normal rafting routine because of the increased unknown - the water level or the type of boat for the day.

Fall White Water Rafting Trips: Early September through late October

Lower Gauley River Trips
Upper Gauley River Trips
River Packages

As daylight begins to dwindle, the action gets ramped up a few notches. The first weekend after Labor Day weekend heralds the onset of Gauley Season, commonly known as the Fall Drawdown. By late September to mid-October, the foliage is usually at its peak in color. It’s a brilliant backdrop for rafting trips on the New or Gauley rivers. Like the spring, weather in the fall can be ‘iffy’ although we get our share of some really nice days. Indian Summer is a fantastic time to raft.

Two rather diverse river runs are available – Fall Gauley and Fall New. On the one hand, there’s the annual pilgrimage for the Fall Gauley releases that turns a boulder-strewn riverbed into stunning whitewater by simply releasing water from Summersville Lake into the riverbed. It’s big – it’s beautiful – it’s colorful. Since water is released from the bottom of the lake, the river water is ‘refreshingly’ cool. The Upper and Lower Gauley boast big drops, big waves, big holes, lots of undercut rocks and technical runs requiring teamwork. The Upper Gauley has steeper drops than the Lower Gauley while the Lower Gauley has more wave trains than the Upper Gauley. This is a busy river in the Fall as people flock from all over the world to run one of America’s best stretches of whitewater.

And, on the other hand, the New River is now devoid of the summer populace. In its own way, it’s also big, beautiful and colorful. The summer crowds are gone, but the river remains. During Gauley Season, the New River is just about forgotten by most whitewater enthusiasts although it’s a beautiful time of year to raft the New. Generally the New River still sports summertime water levels with the splendor of fall color in the gorge and the lack of crowds. Wildlife sightings are common, too.

Fall clothing needs are the same as spring. Technology has created some wonderful lightweight clothing options that pack in a lot of heat. If you don’t have your own gear, renting a wetsuit is usually worth the investment. Stay away from cotton since it has no insulating qualities when wet. Today’s synthetics are as comfortable as cotton (but dry faster) and as warm as wool (but less itchy). Start with a bathing suit and add a few layers to suit the weather.

Boat Types

Rafts: NARR offers three different rafts sizes to customize your rafting experience. Going smaller is actually the biggest ride! Double check the minimum age difference when deciding the type of ride you want.

16-foot Raft: This is the Industry Standard Raft that seats 8+ guests and a guide. They are the largest rafts we have, offering the most stable and comfortable ride. They are also the most economical raft we have and are ideal for groups and first-time rafters.

14-foot Raft: This is our High Adventure Raft that seats 6+ guests and a guide. Smaller than the 16-foot raft, these rafts are very reactive in the white water! Lighter and more manuverable, these rafts give guests more thrills and spills, putting you right in the thick of the action. This is our most popular raft and well worth the extra money. Minimum age 14.

12-foot Raft: This is our Extreme Raft that seats 4+ guests and a guide. You would be amazed how many crazy people want this raft! It's almost 100% guaranteed you will be swimming. Minimum age is 18, previous experience highly recommended, strong swimming skills highly recommend and a desire to push the limits of white water rafting. This is the smallest commercial raft available on the river!

Craftmanship: All of our rafts are custom built, high-tech, self-bailing rafts (that means the water automatically runs out of the raft without you having to bail the boats). They are multi-chamber rafts that stay afloat even if we lose air in one of the chambers - a rare event with modren rafts. Cross tubes, also called thwarts, lay across the middle of the raft and connect the outer tubes of the rafts and are also separate compartments. Thwarts provide two important functions: lateral stability of the raft and a means to “brace in”. Bracing in is a way to use your legs and feet as a means to provide personal stability while going through rapids. One leg is pressed against the tube in front and the other leg is pressed against the tube behind you. By pressing out and against the tubes, you essentially wedge yourself in with your bottom placed on top of the outer tube. You use your legs to absorb the bouncing of the raft, much like riding a bike through bumpy terrain. Your guides will give you safety instructions throughout your journey.

Duckies: NARR offers two different type of Duckies. What is a Duckie? A cross between a canoe and kayak, these inflatable play boats are stable, lightweight, highly maneuverable and easy to paddle. They are a blast and are our most popular crafts on the Upper New and the Summer Gauley Trips.

We offer Single and Tandem Duckies. So you can either go it a lone or have a friend ride along with you. You must be at least 10 years old to paddle your own duckie. Parents, guiding your own duckie down the river with one of your children with you is a magically memeory your children will always cherish! Duckies are not allowed on the Lower New section.