Indulge yourself with all the extreme excitement West Virginia has to offer at Adventures on the Gorge
By Molly McClennen
HQ 82 | SUMMER 2013
The New River Gorge, America’s Grand Canyon of the East, is known for having some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Outdoor enthusiasts have been traveling to the Gorge to hike, raft, fish and camp for decades. When the first commercial rafting outfitters started to offer whitewater excursions through the Gorge in the late 1960s, no one could have imagined the growth that industry would see in the coming decades, with dozens of outfitters taking millions of guests on rafting adventures every year.
Today, thanks to a growing tourism industry, visitors to the New River region do far more than raft, and now it’s easier than ever to enjoy all that the Gorge offers. Several years ago, some of the most respected and established rafting and adventure tour operators combined their resources and expertise to form Adventures on the Gorge, an all-inclusive adventure resort located right on the canyon’s rim. In addition to offering some of the world’s best rafting on the New and Gauley rivers, this hidden gem of a resort offers an unbelievably wide variety of lodging, dining and outdoor adventure options in one location.
Three outfitters located within the Adventures on the Gorge resort offer rafting trips on the Upper New, Lower New and Gauley rivers. Rafters on the Upper New pass breathtaking scenery as they float through tranquil waters, while rafters on the Lower New enjoy the challenge of navigating Class III, IV and V rapids with names like Greyhound Bus Stopper and Old Nasty. As for rafting on the Gauley, hardcore whitewater enthusiasts from around the world come to West Virginia every fall to have the opportunity to raft The Beast of the East, consistently ranked among the top five whitewater destinations in the world.
While rafting remains the number one attraction in the Gorge, it might have some new competition for that honor. Gravity New River Gorge Zip Lines, Timbertrek Aerial Adventure Park and Treetop Canopy Tours allow visitors to see the beauty of the Gorge from a bird’s eye view above the trees. While Treetops, the longest canopy tour in West Virginia, offers peaceful views of the beautiful West Virginia forest, Gravity Zip Lines ramps up the intensity with their 3100-foot-long Adrena line, which allows zippers to reach speeds of over 55 mph. In the Timbertrek Aerial Adventure Park, guests navigate through elevated zip lines, obstacle courses, bridges and slides while being held secure by steel cables.
The resort offers so many different adventures that guests could stay for weeks and do something new every day. In addition to activities like caving, hiking and skeet and trap shooting, Adventures offers unique experiences like daylong excursions to explore Summersville Lake through rock climbing and kayaking or tours of the New River Gorge Bridge catwalk, 850 feet in the air. Guests can view the famed Hawks Nest overlook from river level on a jetboat tour or go off the beaten path on an ATV in the Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park. Those with a competitive nature will enjoy trying to beat their friends in a game of paintball or disc golf. Orb the Gorge offers the truly brave a chance to try orbing, which sends guests hurtling down a 450-foot hill inside a giant polyurethane ball. Far more than a traditional swimming hole, Canyon Falls Swimming Hole features waterfalls, a splashground, and a snack bar.
Adventures on the Gorge takes special pride in serving its youngest guests’ needs for both safety and fun. Children as young as six can raft or kayak with their families on the Upper New River. Slightly older children can join their parents in biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and fishing. While hanging out on the Adventures grounds, kids can play corn hole and volleyball or splash and swim in the pool. The Adventures Kids Camp keeps children entertained with hikes, scavenger hunts and arts and crafts while Mom and Dad are out adventuring on their own.
After a day spent zipping over treetops or scaling rocky cliffs, it is nice to return to comfort, rest and good food, all of which Adventures offers in abundance. Options for accommodations range from campsites and basic cabins to luxury cabins with amenities like WiFi, satellite TV and private hot tubs. Adventures offers some of the region’s best dining at its three restaurants. Diners at Smokey’s on the Gorge are treated to views of the canyon while enjoying casual gourmet food once featured on the Food Network’s “The Best Of” program. Chetty’s Pub specializes in Appalachian pub food, while Tallie’s serves ala carte Italian in a family-friendly atmosphere.
The best way to enjoy all Adventures offers is through one of their all-inclusive vacation packages. Guests choose which activities they want to enjoy and what style of lodging they prefer. Vacation packages allow guests to plan an itinerary that fits their ideal pace and intensity, whether they want to be on the move from sunup to sundown or prefer plenty of time to relax on the wraparound porch of their cabin.
Adventures on the Gorge has it all: good food, a range of lodging options and any adventure you could imagine. But visitors to the resort say it’s the Adventures staff who make the resort extraordinary. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, they love helping their guests enjoy all that West Virginia offers. And now, thanks to Adventures on the Gorge, it is easier and more convenient than ever to enjoy a world-class vacation, only a short drive from home.
