West Virginia is one of the most desirable whitewater destinations in the world, and commercial rafting trips are our specialty! At North American River Runners you’ll enjoy fresh mountain air, exciting thrills, and spectacular views.

NARR runs commercial rafting trips on both the New and Gauley Rivers in Southern West Virginia. Offering these two dynamic rivers allows our guests to choose between slower, family-paced whitewater and rushing, world-class rapids.

Riverside lunch is included with NARR river trips (except Express Trips) and allows fellow crewmembers to take a break and share stories of the morning’s adventure. Take in all the scenery as your guide entertains you with stories of local ghost towns and past rafting experiences. Even with all of that going on around you, nothing takes away from the excitement of the river!

The day starts with your trip leader giving instructions at check-in and handing out personal flotation devices (PFDs), helmets, and paddles. Everyone loads onto the transport bus to head to the river, where the guides are waiting. From this point you will load your raft into the water, receive paddling instructions from your guide, and head towards your first rapid!

NARR offers trips that range from family-class, adventure-class, and all the way up to world-class. The time of year has a lot to do with what you will experience. Here are some facts about the rafting seasons in West Virginia.

Spring Rafting Trips – April through mid-May – Rated PG/R*
Upper New River Trips
Lower New River Trips
Spring/Summer Gauley River Trips*
River Packages

If you are a serious outdoor enthusiast, this is the time of year to go rafting. Prices are generally at their lowest, but that’s not the only reason to take a spring rafting trip. Chances are greater for higher water levels from spring rain runoff since the ground is generally saturated from snow melt. This is also a chancy time for weather conditions – you can get anything from cold rain to balmy sunshine – sometimes in the same day!

High water can be wild rapids with heart thumping adrenaline. The waves are big. The hydraulics are mean and menacing. The river is pushy as it sends up to ten times its normal volume through the same space. At some of the highest levels, the tactic is to run from the stuff that can mess with you and to stay out of the trees. And sometimes it does get too high to run, forcing trips to other river sections. However, some of the mid-range high water levels can provide excellent standing waves and the feel of a liquid roller coaster.

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 Rafting Trips – Mid-May through early September – Rated G/PG and R*
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. 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.

Autumn (Fall) Rafting Trips – Early September through late October – Rated PG/R
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.

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.

Rafting Trip Types
Basically, three types of rafting trips exist: one-day (or full day), multi-day (two-day or three-day) and half days (often called express). Like river sections, season, water levels and weather, each trip type has its own uniqueness. All rafting trips include transportation to and from the river, river equipment (boat, life jacket, helmet, paddle), equipment and safety instruction/information, and guides that accompany the trip.

One-Day Trips: One-day trips are just that – one day on the river. One day rafting trips typically have lunch included in the price. A typical day lasts five to seven hours, depending on water level, river conditions and weather (and other unknown factors). That time frame is from the time you leave NARR’s base camp until the time you return. One day trips: Upper New, Lower New, Spring/Summer Gauley, Fall Upper Gauley, Fall Lower Gauley, and Full Gauley Adventure.

Multi-Day Trips: Multi-day trips involve more than one day on the river. Some multi-day trips involve running the river on day one, camping overnight alongside the river and rafting again on day two (and three). Other multi-day trips involve running one section of a river on day one, returning to NARR’s base and then rafting a section of the same or a different river on day two. Multi-day trips that involve camping alongside the river: Upper New Overnight, Lower New Overnight, Gauley Overnight. Multi-day trip that involves returning to NARR’s base in between trips: Gauley Reverse Overnight.

Half-Day Trips: Half day trips, often called Express trips, generally do not include a meal in the trip price. The time frame is about half of that for a full day trip – usually around four hours total. Half-Day Trips: Lower New Half Day, Fall Gauley Half Day.

Boat Types
Rafts – We basically offer two sizes of US-made, self-bailing rafts by Maravia®: Standard and High Adventure. In general, commercial rafts share these characteristics: They consist of an outer tube of several separate compartments. Cross tubes, also called thwarts, connect the outer tubes of the rafts and are also separate compartments. Separate compartments are important should the raft incur a hole that lets air out. Separate compartments allow the raft to still float despite the loss. Thwarts provide two important functions: lateral stability 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. The Standard raft has room for up to nine guests plus the guide while the High Adventure raft seats a maximum of five guests plus a guide and is shorter in length. The High Adventure raft delivers a wetter and wilder ride and is more expensive than the Standard raft.

Duckies: Duckies are often described as inflatable, self-bailing kayaks. Duckies have inflated outer tubes, thwart(s) and floor like a raft. They are like a canoe because they have an open cockpit. They resemble a kayak because you most often use a double-bladed paddle to maneuver and propel the duckie. Because duckies are much smaller than their rafting cousins, the relative difference between you and the river is substantial. In a ducky, everything appears to be bigger than when in a raft. Duckies are relatively stable in whitewater (it is possible to flip over and/or fall out) and a delightful way to enjoy a one-on-one challenge with the river. Duckies also come in a two-person format.

Kayaks: A kayak is usually a one-person boat, although double kayaks are made. In comparison to a duckie, kayaks are a lot more reactive (read ‘tipsy’). It’s easy to flip over and looks easy to roll back up, but it does require skill and practice. The basic fundamentals involve sitting in a kayak and being braced in by hip pads, having your feet braced against foot pegs or pads with knees bent. The kayak should fit snugly and become an extension of your body. A spray skirt covers the cockpit to prevent water from getting into the kayak. Water sloshing around in a kayak really messes with balance and stability! A double-bladed paddle, usually with offset blades, is used to propel and maneuver the boat. Very maneuverable and agile, kayaks are a great way to experience the river one-on-one. Unlike rafting, which most anyone can do with some coaching, kayaking takes more time and commitment. Although once learned, it is extremely enjoyable.

Canoes: Though NARR doesn’t rent canoes, they are often seen on the river. Canoes come in two basic formats – open and closed for one or two people. An open canoe is just that - it has an open cockpit. A closed, or decked, canoe has a deck (or cover) on it and an opening much like a kayak that is covered with a spray skirt. Canoeists use single-bladed paddles, similar to the ones that are used for rafting. Instead of sitting in a canoe, the preferred format is kneeling.

General Format of Rafting Trips
Here’s the short version of a typical one-day trip:
Meet at check-in prior to trip, sign release form/liability release/waiver, change, get lifejacket, helmet and paddle, load bus, ride to river, listen to Trip Leader speech, gather around the rafts, listen to individual boat speech, carry boat to river, practice paddling strokes, break for lunch, continue trip, load rafts on equipment truck, load self on bus, return ride to base camp, return river gear, shower and change into dry clothes, watch video (if available), look at and purchase photos, trade stories from the day.

Trip Times
Most rafting trips depart in the morning on a scheduled basis. Trip times are formatted on efficient use of human and natural resources. For example, instead of sending two buses with 15 guests on one and 25 on the other, we prefer to send out one trip with 40 guests. It saves on fuel and labor, and you get to meet more people! For those reasons, we make every effort to fill one trip before opening another one. The New River Half Day trip has an afternoon departure.

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