Experience history, nature, culture and adventure like never before with River Expeditions. The recently added New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, known as the Grand Canyon of the East, is known for its steep gorge cliffs creating some of the best whitewater on the east coast. The New River twists through West Virginia, allowing for stunning views.
The Gauley River is recognized as one of the top ranked rivers by paddlers. It drops over 625 feet in 25 miles and features over 100 rapids. The river is split into two sections, Upper Gauley and Lower Gauley, offering their own style in nature. Be sure to try the Gauley River during summer and fall, as they provide a unique experience for each season.
Whitewater rafting brings excitement for all ages and skills. River Expeditions offers a variety of rafting trips suitable for various ages and abilities. If you are nervous because it is your first time or you are pumped up and ready to tackle the rushing waters, the highly trained and certified team will determine which part of the river suits your skill level.
“We love sharing our passion for adventure with each of our guests, ages 6 to 86. In the New River Gorge, there’s something for everyone to explore,” says Heather Johnson, co-owner.
Family Class Trips is an introduction to whitewater rafting. This is a low-impact level allowing younger children (minimum age 6) and older adults to have an adventure to last a lifetime. The trip features easy to moderate rapids, tranquil pools and breathtaking scenery. The rapids for this trip classify as level I-III.
This is a splendid adventure for a multi-generational family as children ages 6-11 raft FREE with a paying adult. This trip down the scenic river allows your family to create memories they will remember and share over their lifetime.
Adventure Class Trips are more challenging and alternate between pools and drops that create roller coaster-type waves and rapids. This trip is perfect for beginners and experienced rafters (minimum age 12). This trip has rapids classified as level IV.
World Class Trips are the most technical and difficult whitewater runs offered. This trip is recommended for advanced paddlers with previous experience in the Adventure Class. Rapids can rate to a Class V+ getting the heart pumping with adrenaline.
If you are a more experienced paddler and ready for a higher adrenaline rush, then you will want to try your expertise by using one of the smaller rafts for a higher performance and increased maneuverability. The smaller rafts, Wildside or Extreme Wildside, are for those with excellent health and are calm under adverse conditions. This will allow you to take your experience to new levels.
If whitewater rafting isn’t for you or you simply want to keep adding to your memories at River Expeditions, check out the Zipline & Canopy Tours. It is “beauty from above.” You will feel completely free although safely secured in a harness, as you suspend from a cable zooming over trees while the wind blows through your hair. The Ridges is a 1 to 2 hour guided zipline tour taking you over a network of platforms and sky bridge and soaring through the forest on four different ziplines. The tour ends with a bonus rappel.
River Expeditions also offers ATV tours, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, paintballing, bridge walk tours and stand-up paddle boarding.
Safety is the utmost importance of any river adventure. All of the guides are certified in First Aid, CPR and most hold an advanced medical and professional certificate allowing a sense of safety for the “newbie.” Additional safety procedures include personal floatation devices and helmets worn during the entire trip (excluding stopping for lunch).
River Expeditions offers over 100 acres of lodging. Whether you pitch a tent up or park your RV in one of their campsites, you will make long-lasting memories. If “roughing it” is not for you, check out the cabins ranging from a five-bedroom luxury cabin to a cozy bungalow. Plus, you get the fourth night lodging FREE, giving you more value for your money.
Why pick River Expeditions for your next adventure? River Expeditions is family-owned and operated, which sets them apart from other outfitters that have more of a corporate feel. They have been in business since 2008, when they purchased five other companies dating back to 1972. They are one of the first rafting outfitters in West Virginia and believe in a mission, not a mission statement.
Johnson continues, “These days corporations get tangled in messaging versus action or service. We simply adhere to the philosophy that if you show folks a good time, they will come back, and tell others!”
For more information on planning your fun-filled adventure visit www.raftinginfo.com.
River Expeditions Offers Breathtaking Trips Down River
