“With warm water, summertime is the optimal time for families,” she says. “There are multiple river trips perfect for young kids and adventure seekers looking for a rush.”
“From mid-May the water is warm and the rapids aren’t as big,” she says. “It makes it really family-friendly.”
The mellowest option is the 12-mile Upper New River. Kids as young as six are welcome on the float through a remote part of New River Gorge National Park. The class II and III rapids provide plenty of splashy moments of excitement, interspersed with quiet water ideal for admiring the scenery; going for a swim; and spotting wildlife, including bald eagles, river otters, and deer.
It’s also possible to paddle this section in an inflatable kayak, either solo or in pairs. To step up the thrills and challenge, go for the Lower New River. This section is synonymous with big water rafting, says Mansfield, as it drops through the steepest part of the canyon, with 11 major rapids created by boulders as big as houses and waves that can stand a raft on its end.
Depending on the water level, the biggest challenge is often navigating the steep waves and holes of the three Keeney Rapids, which feature more demanding elements including Lollygag, a recirculating, frothing lateral wave.
It’s not all rafting, though. The guides usually pull over to tour the remains of a 19th-century ghost town, a relic of the coal mining heyday. And there’s usually the chance to cliff dive off Jump Rock or swim down one of the easier rapids.
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The finale is Fayette Station. The last rapid is found 876 feet below the New River Gorge Bridge. Affectionately called the Rusty Rainbow, it’s one of the highest, longest, and most beautiful man-made bridges. The ultimate rafting followup, says Mansfield, is to see the river from the opposite perspective. Guided bridge walks cross the airy span on the bridge’s 24-inch catwalk.