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Nothing can bring a family together like the fun and exhilaration
of a whitewater rafting trip. With select trips designed for children as young as
six, rafting is one of the few adventure sports that can “wow” moms,
dads, and teenagers, but be safe enough for younger children. The whole family can
paddle together and work as a team to navigate the rocks and ride the rapids that
West Virginia is famous for.
Fun Family Rafting on the New and Gauley River
There are a few parts in rivers like the Gauley and
the New where children should not be taken though. Outfitters on the Gauley usually
require rafters to be at least twelve years old and sometimes fifteen. For the Upper
Gauley, the requirement can even shoot up to sixteen years old depending on the
outfitter. Almost all rafting companies have a flexible age bracket though, depending
on water conditions and the type of trip booked. Things like maturity, height, and
weight are taken into account as well as the amount of parental participation and
the presence of other adults on the raft. If the river is ranked Class III or above,
count on the age requirement being at least twelve.
The Perfect Family Vacation Getaway
 One great
thing about a whitewater family rafting trip is the convenience. West Virginia is
within five hundred miles of sixty percent of the American population. Families
can leave the office Friday, have a full day of rafting Saturday, a couple of hours
of hiking or fishing on Sunday, and still make it back in time for work on Monday.
A perfect weekend getaway to help recharge the family’s batteries after months
of work or school is waiting in the hills of West Virginia.
Other Activities
Now if the children are just a little too young or maybe the family wants multiple
activities to partake in, many outfitters offer camping or hiking and some even
offer rock climbing and horseback riding. Don’t forget that West Virginia
is famous for fishing as well. What better way to bond as a family than to fish
for small-mouth bass on the New or walleye and muskie on the Gauley? If sleeping
under the stars or roughing it outdoors under a tent is your family’s idea
of lodging then head this way. Almost all whitewater outfitters offer or are close
to a campground. If your family would prefer to brave the Gauley, but want to be
pampered at night, there are many hotels located near the rapids and most outfitters
offer attractive packages. So whether your kids are young adults or youngsters,
everything you could possibly want in an outdoor family vacation is available on
West Virginia’s many rivers.
Other Family Oriented Activities to do After
Rafting
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West Virginia is truly blessed with all of its natural beauty. The New River Gorge
is easily one of the most awe-inspiring sites in the state and arguably in the nation.
Families with children young and old can take advantage of this wonder of nature
with horseback riding, camping, kayaking, canoeing, birding, and mountain biking.
Nothing beats an autumn horseback ride along the river gorge from peak to valley
through a riot of fall colors. Throw in a sunset and the trip will become a memory
happily etched into your family’s mind for years to come.
Many companies offer a chance to scale the sides of the gorge’s walls, which
seem to beckon people to try to climb them. These climbs range from leisurely to
nearly insurmountable. While climbing straight up a rock face may not suit all members
of a family, there are more easily conquered trails and paths that are older than
the state itself. Also while hiking along the New, be on the lookout for over twenty
species of warbler, as well as hawks, eagles, bluebirds, and cardinals. Along the
Potomac, there have even been bald eagle sightings!
 For bicycling families, there are many mountain bike trails
and the rugged terrain to challenge both novice and expert. Families can also enjoy
the areas numerous ATV trails of the nearby Hatfield and McCoy Trail System. This rapidly growing trail
system currently includes over five hundred miles of scenic and amazing trails.
Obviously, there are more things to do on West Virginia’s rivers than any
family could ever fit in a week. With such spectacular scenery and warm hospitality,
families are sure to come back year after year.
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