Family Rafting in West Virginia : New River Gorge, WV
Some of the finest family rafting trips in the world can be found on the New River and the Gauley River in WV. Our professionally guided family rafting trips on the New River offer fun and excitement for ages 6+ with our Gauley trips delivering thrills and excitement for those 15+. Browse our complete list of family rafting trips and carve out some family fun time to share the experience of running white water rapids with your brood. You'll be glad you did!
Have you ever taken your family rafting? If not, then like most parents, you may have a slew of great questions and concerns about this marvelous, total nature-immersion sport. Or, maybe you've done a few rivers with your older kids and now you are looking for a more exciting river experience.If you ask the kids, they won't hesitate to say "Lets go on the river!!!" The owners of Class VI are parents and have decades experience taking our own kids and our guests' kids out on the New and Gauley Rivers.
Our motto: It's all about creating positive experiences and memories for the kids, not the parents.
The Upper New River has gentle rapids with playful waves, add in lots of sunshine, and our playful inflatable 2-man kayak and your kids and you will have the best time of your life. Our river trips start at age 6 and go up from there.
For the older families - River trips are a great way to share a challenge the whole family will grow from. Raft trips are a great way to break down barriers, intimately touch nature and create a memory for a life time. What's not to like about warm weather, refreshing water and fresh air?
We love rivers. We live and breathe rivers.
Let us help you pick your perfect family adventure vacation.
The basic age level breakdowns for Class VI- Mountain River family white water rafting trips are: 6-11, 12-15 and 15+. Here is our professional and parental review of what each river section really means for families. Of course, if you have questions, just call us and we'll gladly help you make the best possible choice for your family rafting trip.
New River Heaven: Introduce your family to the wonders of white water rafting
The New River is a perfect river for family whitewater rafting. Here's why:- Upper New River: Ages 6+ Easy class 1-2 rapids. Helmets required in the rapids- we tend to take them off while floating in the pools between rapids. Playful waves, big wide friendly river. Paddle rafts, oar rafts, and inflatable kayaks (aka duckies) are all the boats available. Kids ages 8 and up can paddle their own ducky with a parent as co-pilot. Kids ages 10 and up can comfortably paddle solo in their own ducky.
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- Lower New River: Ages 12+ This is also known as the New River Gorge. It's steeper, bigger, and more exciting than the Upper New. Kids have to be age 12 and up to raft this section of the New River in summer and fall season. Kids must be age 14 and up for spring rafting season on the Lower New. Helmets are required, guides are in every raft, and both paddle rafts and oar rafts are available. Spring is BIG water, summer and fall calm down a notch. For first-time families with kids 12 or older, come in summer or fall. Set your family up for success with a fun water level appropriate for their first rafting experience. (You'll be the coolest mom or dad in their world, we guarantee it.)
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Gauley River Excitement: Graduate to one of the world's best whitewater rivers
The Gauley River is indeed a step up from the New River. It is for older families and more experienced paddlers.- Lower Gauley: Ages 15+ "I have rafted the New RIver but don't know if I am ready for the Gauley." The Lower Gauley is the perfect choice for a similar experience with more rapids and a bit more maneuvering required. This is a thrill of a lifetime river rafting experience for older families. Helmets are required, expert guides are in every raft, and participants will work hard paddling at the guide's command. Teens with a go get 'em attitude who like thrills will love this trip. Set your family up for success with your white water rafting experiences and choose an intensity level that each family member is ready to sign up for. The Lower Gauley is intense and strenuous, and it is an ideal choice for families who have rafted class III and IV rivers before. It is also breathtakingly beautiful with calm stretches in between big rapids so you have time to catch your breath.
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- Upper Gauley: Ages 15+. First timers are NOT encouraged to choose the Upper Gauley for their introduction to white water rafting. That's kinda like taking the chairlift to the top of the mountain and picking the double diamond cliff hanger for your first run as a novice skier. You are much better off choosing the dynamic, powerful, but friendlier Lower Gauley or preferably the Lower New River Gorge for your first run. The Upper Gauley requires helmets, is maximum intensity, very strenuous, requires active paddling and ability to swim. Only expert guides work on the Upper Gauley. Paddle rafts and oar rigs are available. All family members doing the Upper Gauley should have Class IV white water experience and be comfortable in that level of whitewater madness. If you have this kind of background, your family will experience peak excitement, adrenaline, and super natural endorphin highs. This is one of the best white water rafting trips in the world. We aren't kidding.
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Here's a sneak preview on a couple of our family rafting trips.
Click here to see the complete list of all the family rafting trips.
