FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (WOAY) – The New River runs through one of the most iconic landscapes in Appalachia, and each summer, it draws thousands of people to its rapids. We spent a day on the water to see what makes this stretch so special, and what it looks like when the water is clean enough to enjoy.
“The New River is a high-volume river. That means lots of water, and we’ve got a lot of it,” said Brendan, a local river professional who’s guided this stretch of whitewater for years. “It’s beginner-friendly, big water, splashy… really exciting stuff.”
Flowing through New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, this stretch of river winds between nearly 900-foot canyon walls and includes some of the most iconic rapids in the eastern United States. The park protects 53 miles of free-flowing river, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each summer.
Rafters are guided through rapids ranging from Class I to Class IV. Each rapid has a name, and many have stories. Double Z, for instance, earned its name from the two tight zigzag maneuvers required to get through without flipping. The trip typically starts at Cunard and ends at Fayette Station, just under the New River Gorge Bridge.
Despite its name, the New River is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world, older than the Appalachian Mountains it cuts through. It begins in North Carolina and flows north through Virginia and West Virginia before joining the Gauley River and forming the Kanawha.
For many guides, rafting isn’t just a job, it’s a connection to the natural world and a way to stay grounded.
“You kind of lose a sense of the natural world indoors,” Brendan said. “Here, it’s all right in your face. The river teaches you how to breathe, how to trust, how to be calm under pressure.”
And while this stretch of the New River remains clean and thriving, many West Virginians aren’t so lucky. In counties like Wyoming, residents are still fighting for access to safe, drinkable water, where natural beauty has been undercut by contamination and neglect.
Here in the gorge, the water is still something to celebrate.
“I’d love to see more locals out here,” Brendan added. “Don’t be afraid of it. It’s beautiful.”
Rafting trips on the New River run through October. Most outfitters provide trained guides, safety gear, and transportation. Whether you’re navigating the tight turns of Double Z or floating through calmer sections upstream, the river still offers something rare, a place where clean water is more than a basic right. It’s an experience.
