Story and photos by Scott Kendall
Adventures on the Gorge, New River Gorge National Park
“Adventures on the Gorge is made up of outdoor enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies, and nature lovers. We’re explorers and paddlers, bikers and hikers. Our backgrounds and strengths may differ, but our common experience is the passion to share this wild, wonderful corner of West Virginia we all call home.” – Adventures on the Gorge website
We wanted to escape the heat and flatlands of home in Texas, so we headed to the cool, green mountains of West Virginia. Ready for some exciting outdoor adventures, we reserved a cabin in the woods at Adventures on the Gorge, a fantastic place to quench our thirst for outdoor adventure.
As the quote above correctly indicates, Adventures on the Gorge is made up of true outdoor enthusiasts. Folks that love to run the river, zip through the treelines, hike the many trails, and explore one of Mother Nature’s master creations. Julie and I joined these other enthusiasts to meaningfully connect with West Virginia, and we had a blast.
The New River Gorge, river, and its famous bridge are centerpieces for the resort. With 350 acres of lush forest, Adventures on the Gorge is one of the premier outdoor adventure venues in the nation.
Whitewater Rafting in New River Gorge
Adventures on the Gorge offers rafting trips for all levels of paddlers. Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced rafter looking for a challenge, you will find it at Adventures on the Gorge. The resort offers runs on the Upper New River, Lower New River, Upper Gauley, and the Lower Gauley. You can choose from half day, full day, or even overnight and multiple days.
I went on the Lower New River section, recommended for beginners and more advanced enthusiasts. The New River is thought to be the second oldest river in the world, and has an ideal combination of hydraulics and waves just right for world class whitewater rafting. Our trained guide led us through 25 rapids ranging from Class II to exhilarating Class IV runs. We finished up just below the awesome New River Bridge, the longest single-span bridge in the Western Hemisphere and the third-highest in the United States.
Zip Lining: Gravity and Canopy Tree Tops
Six zip lines carry you swiftly through the tree tops of southern West Virginia. Starting with two warmup 500 footers, you’ll gradually work yourself up to the the 3,150 foot zipline. For about three quarters of a mile, you will fly on one of the longest and fastest ziplines in the nation. With fantastic views of the trees and mountains, you glide up to 65 miles per hour through the green forests of the New River Gorge.
Food, Drink, and Bluegrass Music
For dining choices, guest can choose from Smokey’s on the Gorge, Chetty’s Pub, Rendezvous Lodge, Sweet Java Falls, and Canyon Falls Snacks. Chetty’s Pub and Rendezvous Lodge often have live music, and Chetty’s also shows videos of whitewater rafters during season. Many lodgings also have refrigerators, kitchens, and comfortable eating areas. Other restaurants are available in nearby Fayetteville and other small towns.
Stay at Adventures on the Gorge
Whether you are looking for camping, rustic cabins, or more luxurious cabins and homes, Adventures on the Gorge has you covered. We stayed in the Sunnyside Cabins. This cabin was perfect for us. Nestled in the woods, this cabin featured two queen sized beds, a back patio, refrigerator, air conditioning, a television (which we hardly used), and a coffee maker.
The room was very comfortable and nicely decorated. The main complex was just a five-minute walk away, and regular shuttles were available if we did not feel like walking or if it was raining. This quiet refuge in the woods was a great place to relax in between our numerous activities at the resort.
Other Nearby Attractions
Winding our way along West Virginia’s back roads, people in our group visited Sandstone Falls State Park, Babcock State Park, Tamarack, and other area attractions. We also visited the cool Schoolhouse Hotel, a renovated high school, in White Sulphur Springs. Another fun excursion was riding the speedy New River Jetboats and dining at the Hawk’s Nest in the Hawk’s Nest State Park.
The Tamarack features West Virginia arts and crafts including blown glass, quilts, fabrics, sculptures, paintings, furniture, and much more. They also have local sauces, jellies, wine, candy, and other treats. The nearby Coal Mine offers an insightful look at what an operating coal was like decades ago.
Adventures on the Gorge for that Special Family Vacation
Adventures on the Gorge is a fun destination in a very special place in West Virginia. The mountains, rivers, forest, and beautiful landscapes provide a setting that offers couples and families so many options. Whether it’s whitewater rafting the New or Gauley Rivers, zipping through the green forests, hiking mountain trails, or relaxing at the pool with a good book, Adventures on the Gorge has something for you.
