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Top-Rated Places for Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia

Yashasma Savkur
West Virginia offers some exciting whitewater rafting places that one must visit. These are ideal for all level, rafters, experienced or beginners. It is an amazing sport for adventure and water lovers.
Image Credit: White Water Magazine
1. Upper New River Gorge
The new river is geologically one of the oldest rivers in the world and is divided into two sections.
The upper new river has calm waters with class I and class II rapids that make this a safe spot for river rafting. An ideal place for family, children and first timers to dive into this sport fearlessly.
2. Lower New River Gorge
The second section of the New river is the Lower section being the most popular spot for whitewater rafting.
The intensity of rapid is seasonal, mostly with class IV rapids, this river is deep and exciting for whitewater rafting. This trip takes you under the 876-foot-high New River Gorge bridge making it more exciting.
3. Upper Gauley
The Upper Gauley is one of the top 5 rafting spots in the world. This river gives a wild experience with class IV and V rapids and is suitable only for experienced rafters.
The rapids are aggressive and exhausting and gives a complete experience with a combination of steep, calm and huge rapids.
4. Lower Gauley
The lower Gauley may not be as intense as the Upper Gauley, but it surely provides an experience with Class III and V rapids.
This is suitable of intermediate rafters and the experience can be unpredictable, ranging from calm to adventurous.
5. Shenandoah River
This is a 6.5-mile adventurous spot that is not very popular but a must try location.
It provides fascinating view of Blue ridge mountains and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The river has class I to III rapids making this a safe yet adventurous rafting destination.
6. Cheat River
Less popular and more adventure, this river gives you an adrenaline pumped rafting experience with Class II-III rapids offering a 13-mile whitewater adventure.
This route takes you to the Cheat canyon full of boulders, waves, swirling holes with Class IV rapids making it more and more enthralling.