Visiting West Virginia? Then you need to visit "The Gorge"! West Virginia's New River Gorge is a spectacular place. Here are five reasons that "The Gorge" is special:
"The Gorge" is the location of the country's newest National Park that preserves one of the continent's oldest rivers. New River Gorge National Park is full of hidden gems like scenic views to discover and ghost towns to explore. It is a rock climbing and whitewater rafting wonderland for adventure sports enthusiasts and has miles of trails for those with a wanderlust for hiking off the beaten path.
2. Diverse & Unique Habitat
The New River Gorge is home to a variety of flora and fauna not found very many other places on the planet. "The Gorge" has the most diverse salamander population in the world, many of which can be found within the national park boundary. Old growth hemlock groves, and many different types of hardwood trees can also be found in this region that has transformed from a mining industry hub of activity to a preserved wilderness. Migratory birds rest here while enroute north or south making it a heavenly spot for birdwatching.
3. Adventures on the Gorge
New River Gorge is home to one of the nation's best adventure sports resorts. A stone's throw from the national park, its campus has a pool with a cliff-side view down into "The Gorge" and a canopy tour that showcases the area's unique topography. Accommodations at Adventures on the Gorge for people who partake in its adventure sports that range from mountain biking and paint ball battles to whitewater rafting and ziplining include resort cabins, rustic camping and RV parking.
4. Gorgeous Landscapes
The New River Gorge features lush green forests during the summer, breathtaking colors during the fall, and often becomes blanketed with snow during the winter. The spring brings with it a wide variety of wildflowers, plus blooming rhododendrons that only add to the dramatic gorge landscape. Hikers can take to the cliffline or the bottom of the Gorge to explore waterfalls, rock outcrops, and stunning views no matter the season.
5. An Awesome Bridge
You might be thinking, "A bridge, seriously?!". But seriously, it's really AWESOME! Towering at 876 feet, this bridge is an engineering marvel. Every year the community celebrates its treasured landmark by throwing a huge party. On Bridge Day, BASE jumpers from around the world fly from the bridge top to the valley below. From Spring through Fall though those who are up for an adventure but don't want to jump off it can take a tour across the catwalk that spans the Gorge under the roadway.
There is a lot to be geeked about when it comes to visiting West Virginia's New River Gorge!
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the riverbanks of West Virginia's New River Gorge were alive with the activity of coal mining. Workers toiled in processing facilities and mines while trains constantly rolled through the area transporting the black gold being excavated from the surrounding mountains to far off destinations fueling the nation's industrial revolution. Residential homes and town amenities abounded supporting the coal miners and their families making the New River Gorge a place filled with vibrant communities.
Nearly a century has passed since the heydays of the coal mining industry within the New River Gorge and this stretch of West Virginia is now a part of a National Park. The towns and mines that stretched along the river are abandoned now with nature reclaiming the area reverting its terrain back to a wilderness. Now the main industry for the New River Gorge region is tourism as the area is being promoted as a playground for white water rafting, rock climbing and mountain biking.
The ruins of a number of coal mining ghost towns though can still be explored by adventurous spirits visiting the New River Gorge. For example, the National Park Service has preserved the train depot and some historic buildings within the deserted community of Thurmond. For the first two decades of the 20th Century, Thurmond was a boom town considered the richest city in West Virginia. Fifteen passenger trains per day made stops in Thurmond with an average of 95,000 people per year coming and going through the city depot which is now a visitor center for New River Gorge National Park. Once a civic and commercial hub, now the only visitors passing through are those wanting to check out the haunting remnants of bygone years within this New River Gorge ghost town.
For those up to taking a hike through the woods, you can explore the ruins of the Kaymoor mining community also located on the grounds of the New River Gorge National Park. Overgrown by nature now, the area looks like the relics of a lost civilization. Once filled with the noise of people at work, the only sounds you will hear today are water flowing by along the New River, birds chirping and wind blowing through tree leaves. A walk along the Kaymoor trail makes you feel like Indiana Jones on an archeology adventure. There are some stunning views and interesting sights to discover when visiting this ghost town.
During an Adventures on the Gorge vacation with my son, we took some time to visit the ghost town of Henry Ford's coal mine which is across the New River from Kaymoor. We did some rock climbing near the mine entrance and later took a hike through a forested ravine to check out the spot where coal from the mine was loaded onto trains. Being a gearhead who grew up in the Motor City, we had to check out a mine that had been owned by Henry Ford to supply the coal that fueled his gigantic River Rouge industrial complex in Michigan which was the largest factory in the world at the time Ford Motor Company managed this West Virginia coal mine.
Ford controlled the mine from 1920 - 1928. During that time, he modernized the infrastructure of the mine creating a long automated conveyor to transport coal from the mine down to a tipple that loaded the coal onto trains that would transport it to Michigan. The National Park Service has invested in restoring the conveyor and tipple so they look as if production at the mine just stopped yesterday. The presence of this infrastructure leaves an essence of Henry Ford on the site. With both Henry Ford and his son Edsel Ford having been at this mine, my son and I wondered if we were walking in the same footsteps as where these two automotive barons had traversed. We most likely were standing in spots they had been before.
While the mine, a weighing station, the conveyor and tipple are still intact, most everything else is gone from the Henry Ford Coal Mine. The town of Nuttallburg where the mine workers and their families lived is mostly gone except for the stone foundations of buildings and ovens that were used to bake coal into ash. The walls for the first floor of the company store still remain but you would never know without a park service placard identifying the site. Interestingly on that note, Ford's mine was the first in West Virginia to begin paying wages in government currency instead of company script. Though employees were still encouraged to spend their paychecks at the company store, for the first-time coal miners in the New River Gorge could also save money for their future or have funds to purchase land, or as Henry Ford hoped to buy a car.
After about eight years of operating the mine, anti-monopoly regulations were preventing Ford from achieving his goals of controlling every aspect of the automobile production process. At one point he was even trying to buy a railroad to control bringing in supplies to his factories and transporting out cars. Ford Motor Company began divesting non-essential business elements, such as coal mining, to be outsourced instead. The coal mine at Nuttallburg held on for a couple more decades until the site was abandoned in the 1960s.
While what is left may not seem like much, this site is actually one of the most intact coal mining complexes from its era left in the United States. It really is an interesting place to explore and an adventurous trek to get there. There is a serenity to wandering about this ghost town, but also a spooky vibe knowing that what was once such a vibrant place is now an isolated, out of the way spot on a hiking trail within the forests of a national park.
Would you be geeked to explore the ghost towns of New River Gorge? Add in some adventure sports like whitewater rafting, rock climbing mountain biking, ziplining, and the infamous walk across the iconic New River Gorge Bridge and you are sure to have an exhilarating visit to West Virginia. There are a lot of adventures to be had at the New River Gorge!
The end of summer doesn't mean you have to put your adventurous spirit to rest until next year. After Labor Day it is Gauley season! The Gauley River is known as one of the best white water rafting locations in the United States and it has the most challenging and exhilarating conditions of the year during Fall weekends in September and October. Now is the time to hit these rapids in West Virginia for a weekend road trip!
Gauley River rafting is typically classified in two sections – the Upper and Lower. The Upper Gauley starts just below the dam at Lake Summersville and drops more than 335 feet in less than 13 miles, creating the most intense whitewater on the river and one of the most challenging whitewater experiences in the world. The 12-mile Lower Gauley is slightly less intense, but still extremely challenging.
The Army Corps of Engineers releases water each Fall from the lake in order to control for potential flooding. Because these releases occur during the day on weekends, rafters and rafting outfitters know exact timing and water levels of their whitewater excursions. Summersville Dam is drawn down at 2,800 cubic feet per second (cfs) to create close to 100 rapids – including nine Class V – in the 26 mile stretch of the Upper and Lower sections of the Gauley River. Release dates this year are Sept. 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, Sept. 30-Oct. 3 and Oct. 7-10 and 15-16. This is Gauley season!
There is still time to make arrangements to run the rapids. Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG), West Virginia's largest adventure sports resort and rafting outfitter is ready to guide people through the Gauley gauntlet of rapids. AOTG offers several options for rafters who want to experience the “Beast of the East.” Examples include the Upper Gauley, Lower Gauley and Gauley Reverse 2-Day. Additionally, some rafters choose to run both stretches as part of the Gauley Marathon while others will take on the Upper Gauley twice in one day as part of the Double Upper Gauley 1-Day 2-Night package.
My son and I had a boys' getaway for Fathers Day Weekend this summer white water rafting through the New River Gorge with AOTG. They are a first rate operation that not only does an exceptional job of providing rafters with thrilling experiences but also places a priority on ensuring your safety on the river. AOTG absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for our white water rafting experience with them.
We had a guide named Ray Ray who has more than a decade of experience navigating the New River and Gauley rivers. Full of dad jokes and a grizzly West Virginia outdoorsman attitude, Ray Ray was a combination of a Walt Disney World Jungle Cruise captain and extreme sports guru. We had a great time running the rapids with him as we floated through the New River Gorge.
To make arrangements to participate in Gauley season with Ray Ray or another experienced AOTG guide, call 855-379-8738 or visit adventuresonthegorge.com. You can also find them on Twitter. If you are on Twitter make sure to give @Geekdad248 a follow too for updates and info that you are sure to be geeked to see.
Thanks to ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE for hosting my son and I at their resort during our Father's Day weekend road trip to the country's newest national park located in West Virginia. Situated nearby New River Gorge National Park, this adventure sports resort busses people into the park grounds for rock climbing and whitewater rafting, plus has lots of fun activities to enjoy on its own property as well including an aerial obstacle course, paintball battles, disc golf, hiking, swimming, and ziplining. What originally started out as a whitewater rafting outfitter and guide service now caters to a variety of outdoor adventure sports.
Adventures on the Gorge 350-acre resort borders over 70,000 acres of national park land and 70 miles of some of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the world. This area of southern West Virginia is a wilderness playground with activities ranging from adrenaline pumping excitement to leisurely relaxation. Rappel down a cliff, mountain bike through a forest trail or just simply lounge by the resort's luxurious pool. There is something for all ages, abilities and personalities to enjoy during a visit to New River Gorge.
ACCOMODATIONS THAT SUIT EVERYONE
In addition to facilitating fun outdoor activities, Adventures on the Gorge also provides a variety of accommodation options for staying on site. Want to go on a camping trip? The resort has campgrounds for both tents and RVs. Every site has a firepit and is within walking distance of a clean, modern bathhouse. After a day full of adventure enjoy a rustic evening under the stars making s'mores by a campfire.
If camping isn't for you, Adventures on the Gorge also has more civilized accommodations available. Overnight lodging also includes deluxe cabins and vacation homes that provide city luxuries in this rural area. Whether you want to pitch a tent, park an RV or sleep in resort-style accommodations, Adventures on the Gorge can meet your needs.
CABINS IN THE WOODS
We were treated to a stay in a Sportsman Cabin at Adventure on the Gorge. It was a two-story cabin with comfy-mattress beds that could sleep six or more people upstairs and a downstairs with a full bathroom, kitchenette and living area. A great spot to relax when not out and about having a good time in the New River Gorge.
After having a wild time spending your days mountain biking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting and numerous other outdoor adventures, it is nice to spend an evening with some of the comforts of home. My son chilled out at night in our air-conditioned Sportsman Cabin watching his favorite show Impractical Jokers on cable tv. I appreciated being able to take very long hot showers in the cabin's bathroom. It was nice to have cold drinks and be able to snack on leftover pizza we brought back to the cabin thanks to the cabin's full-size fridge and microwave. As you can tell, we really "roughed it" during our Adventures on the Gorge road trip.
ADVENTURE SPORTS GETAWAY
If you want to engage in thrilling, energetic outdoor activities, Adventures on the Gorge should be on your list of places to go. This southern West Virginia adventure sports resorts has lots of fun activities to do on-site including an aerial TimberTrek obstacle challenge, TreeTops ziplining course, paintball battlefield and more. Join in a rock climbing or whitewater rafting excursion led by high caliber guides within the New River Gorge National Park that surrounds the resort. If you are really adventurous, have Adventures on the Gorge arrange a catwalk more than 800 feet up in the air for you to trek across the length of the New River Gorge Bridge.
AERIAL ADVENTURES
The TimberTrek obstacle challenge spans over 4 acres of the Adventures on the Gorge resort property. There are different routes to choose from that range in difficulty from kid-friendly to so difficult as to challenge experienced rock climbers. Navigate a series of climbing nets, swinging bridges, suspended tunnels, and other challenging obstacles spanning across a forest ceiling. These physical challenges will be an arboreal adventure that will provide great memories to take home with you.
Adventures on the Gorge TreeTops ziplining course has you flying through a West Virginia forest of birch, hemlock, maple and oak trees. You will soar across 10 different ziplines and traverse five swinging bridges as you explore woods' canopy before concluding your journey through the forest with a 35-foot rappel. Not only is this ziplining experience entertaining, but it is also educational as guides provide all sorts of interesting details about the natural habitat around you.
BRIDGE WALK
Include a hike across a modern engineering marvel in your aerial adventures with the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. Underneath the bridge's four lane freeway among its girders and beams is another route across the New River Gorge: a two-foot-wide, grated-steel catwalk that runs the entire length of the bridge. And you can walk it!
For one of the most spectacular views you'll ever have, take a trek 876 feet up in the air across the almost mile long length of the New River Gorge Bridge. Feel the rumble of big rigs and passenger cars rolling across the road above you while cool winds whistle through this underside passageway. Hawks playfully circled around us as we invaded the serenity of their territory. Midway across we took a break to perch for a moment dangling our legs off the edge of the catwalk to kick them around in the air imagining the freedom of the birds gliding through the skies around us.
Want to brag about your trip when returning home? Tell everyone how you braved a catwalk crossing of the longest single arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere and second highest vehicle carrying bridge in the United States. Conquer this landmark that has been featured on a U.S. Postage Stamp and the federal mint printed on a quarter to highlight West Virginia. That is sure to give you some travel bragging rights!
ROCK CLIMBING
The sandstone geography of the New River Gorge creates lots of cliffs and rock formations covered with cracks and crevices. This is an ideal surface for climbing and the area is a popular destination for this adventure sport. My adventure spirited son really enjoys going to the rock climbing gym near our house; but has never actually climbed the real deal. He was so excited that we were going to have some rock climbing adventures on our Appalachian Mountain getaway.
The boy was all smiles climbing up the rock formations in the national park that our Adventures on the Gorge climbing guides led us through. He was very proud that he reached the top of the formations being scaled by our group. When it came to rappelling down a multi-story cliff, he was the first in line to go down jumping in front of some experienced mountain climbers with us enthusiastic about being the first to get the chance. I was proud as a dad of how he embraced this rock climbing opportunity, had enthusiasm for the experience and showed some adventurist spirit.
To be honest, I have a fear of heights. My stomach gets queasy and my head starts feeling vertigo just getting close to steep surfaces and drop-offs. So, I had planned on sitting out this activity and focusing more on my son enjoying himself. This trip was all about going on an adventure though and with that in mind I joined in on grappling up the rock formations. I'm glad I did!
I was really impressed by the quality of the guides employed by Adventures on the Gorge. For our rock climbing guide Saul, this just wasn't a job but a way of life. He has a true passion for rock climbing which made him fun to hang with and also provided peace of mind that he was looking out for you when it came to safety. The guides at Adventures on the Gorge aren't just kids needing a summer job but are proficient and professional in what they do which provided me a lot of confidence in them.
Saul made sure we were having an exciting time climbing but weren't taking any dangerous risks. He double checked all the safety precautions and gear while making sure everyone stayed in line with being careful. Yet he was very personable and friendly. I appreciated he prodded me to get more involved in the action yet was very respectful of my hesitancy when it comes to being around heights. If you want a good guy and great guide to go climbing with at New River Gorge, better call Saul!
WHITEWATER RAFTING
I've always wanted to go whitewater rafting and never been. This was my motivation for wanting to come on this New River Gorge road trip. It was a bucket list experience for me. While my son's favorite experience was the rock climbing, whitewater rafting was the highlight of the trip for me.
Just as the sandstone terrain of the area make great climbing surfaces, the erosion of these rocks also creates rapids within the local rivers that provide some of the best whitewater rafting in the country. The Upper New River provides an easy going float down the river that is good for children and adults not looking for an adventure. The Lower New River and Lower Gauley have some challenging moderate level rapids suitable for teens and adults who may be looking for excitement but don't have any particular expertise or skills when it comes to whitewater rafting. While the Upper Gauley has rapids that have a lot of risk to them and are recommended for thrill seekers with whitewater rafting experience and a high tolerance for danger. There really is something for everyone when it comes to rafting these major rivers in southern West Virginia.
Our rafting trip was on the Lower New River which based upon the challenge of its rapids is recommended for adults and kids over 12 years old. This stretch of river is for first time and casual rafters who want to experience nature's roller coaster ride but don't have the skills to master really treacherous whitewater conditions. A thrilling experience without a high amount of risk made Lower New River a good fit for our adventures at the New River Gorge.
We had an outstanding guide leading our whitewater rafting expedition in Ray Ray who has been running the rapids on New River and Gauley for more than a decade. A combination of grizzly West Virginia outdoorsman and Walt Disney World Jungle Cruise captain, Ray Ray let us all know that there was an element of danger to whitewater rafting but if we worked together as a team and everyone followed safety precautions it was sure to be a terrific time with no tragic moments. He was true to his words as he barked out orders on how to steer the boat while drowning us with a multitude of dad jokes.
Whitewater rafting on the New River was quite an adventure. Sliding by rock formations, bouncing through waves and getting soaking wet in the whitewater was exhilarating. Our experience demonstrated why the New River Gorge is a go to destination for whitewater rafting. How would I describe our rafting trip in one word ... AWESOME!
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
If extreme sports aren't your thing, there are lots of other activities that will make for a fun stay for all ages during a stay at Adventures on the Gorge. There is a luxurious pool with a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Hiking trails abound for those looking to take a stroll to enjoy the area's scenic views. A playground with a wilderness fort and pirate ship will entertain children for hours. You can even go horseback riding.
The resort has two eateries for meals to keep you fueled up for your adventures. Chetty's Pub has a focus on flavorful chicken wings in a variety of spices and sauces for lunch and dinner. Smokey's on the Gorge has a breakfast buffet and entrees for dinner that range from BBQ platters to filet mignon. Also, Fayetteville is just a ten-minute drive away where you can go to restaurants or visit stores for provisions. The city even has a Gamestop where my son got a new Nintendo Switch video game to play on the car ride back home to Detroit.
Retired couples, college friends, families with young children, and wedding parties are examples of the variety of people that were staying at Adventures on the Gorge resort while we were there. Adventure sports getaways, bachelor parties, camping trips, family reunions, relaxing summer vacations there were all sorts of goings on at the resort. It was alive with activity providing an electric vibe to the place.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We had a great experience during our Appalachian Mountain father-son road trip to Adventures on the Gorge. The adventure sports we engaged in weren't just fun but provided some nice bonding moments between the two of us as we overcame challenges and enjoyed exciting activities together. Plus, we came home with the best souvenir possible when traveling ... memories that we will appreciate for a lifetime. Adventures on the Gorge absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval!
I had an AWESOME Father's Day weekend road trip with my son to southern West Virginia hosted by ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE resort. This adventure sports resort near New River Gorge National Park features an aerial obstacle course, disc golf, hiking, mountain biking, paintball battles, rock climbing, swimming, whitewater rafting, ziplining and more! Check out my Traveling Dad writeup about Adventures on the Gorge at travelingmom.com.
Find reviews and tips from the Family Vacation Experts at travelingmom.com to help plan your next trip. Adventurous dads like myself, as well as moms, share insightful information that is sure to bring out the wanderlust in readers to want to explore new places. From places that draw a crowd such as Disney World to wide open, wild destinations such as Yellowstone National Park, find the information you are looking for regarding family travel at travelingmom.com.
.jpg "Travel Geek")
