The New River Gorge National Park is the go-to place for family adventures in West Virginia. Here at Adventures on the Gorge, you’ll find a wide array of things to do including land adventures, aerial excursions and whitewater expeditions. With aerial trips for kiddos as young as 4 and rafting adventures for kids as young as 6, your family is sure to find something on this list to put a smile on everyone’s face. Check out the top 10 adventures in West Virginia below.
Adventures in West Virginia
Land Based Activities
Guided Hikes
Hitting the trails for a hike in the Mountain State is one of the best family activities in West Virginia. With so many trails to be found in the area, it can be hard to choose the hike that is most suitable for you and your family. That’s where our hiking guides come in! They’ll lead you to beautiful views and vistas in the New River Gorge region while telling you about the history, flora and fauna of the area. Our guides are knowledgeable about the trails, terrain and any hazards your group needs to be aware of during your hike. Our guided hikes are either 2 hours or 3 hours and are designed for ages 8+.
Paintball and Laser Tag
Paintball and Laser Tag are fun and exciting ways to get outside and practice your teamwork. Our wooded courses provide the perfect setting for a competitive adventure for your family. Dart through the forest filled with a variety of natural and constructed obstacles during this two-hour adventure. Enhance your experience by playing a game like Capture the Flag for some added fun! This activity is suitable for ages 10+.
Tour the Gorge
This scenic driving tour will take passengers on a journey to some of our favorite places in the New River Gorge National Park. After boarding the shuttle at Adventures on the Gorge, you’ll travel down the winding Fayette Station Road, where you’ll see the New River Gorge Bridge from below. Your driver will explain the history of the area and the bridge, all while expertly navigating the winding country roads. Next, you’ll head upstream to the town of Thurmond. This once bustling railroad town is now a mecca for history lovers and ghost town lovers alike. Finally, your tour will stop at the Canyon Rim Visitor’s Center, on the North Rim of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This 4-hour tour is designed for ages 6+.
Mountain Biking
The New River Gorge is home to miles of mountain biking trails that range from beginner to intermediate to expert. With a guided mountain biking trip, you’ll experience the beauty and excitement of biking through the lush forests of the Mountain State. The tour will be customized to your individual needs, experience, and skill level and your guide will provide you with tips and suggestions to improve your mountain biking skills throughout the trip. This 2 or 3 hour adventure is suitable for ages 8+.
Water Based Activities
Half-Day Lower New River: Rapid Run
Our Lower New River Rapid Run is a great introductory rafting trip for families with children ages 12+. This rafting trip takes you through the beautiful New River Gorge canyon and past iconic landmarks like Endless Wall and the New River Gorge Bridge. You’ll find Class II-IV rapids on the Lower New River and the trip takes about 2-3.5 hours. We also offer full-day rafting trips on the Lower New. Full-day trips involve a few stops along the way, including an opportunity to leap off Jump Rock and a riverside lunch.
Upper New River Whitewater Rafting
The Upper New River is the perfect rafting trip for children as young as 6 or reluctant first-time rafters who are looking to test the waters. You’ll experience Class I-III waves on this 4-6 hour adventure. The best part about rafting on the Upper New? Kids raft free! Children ages 6-11 raft for free with each paying adult on the Upper New River (Sunday-Friday, Saturdays excluded).
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
If you’re interested in getting out on the water, but rafting isn’t your thing, we have plenty of other river-based tours that skip the whitewater. One of the most popular is our Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) tour! On this tour, you’ll explore Hawk’s Nest Lake, a flatwater section of the New River. Our guides are experienced in helping first time SUP boarders practice balancing and paddling on their board, so no matter what your experience level is with stand-up paddleboarding, we’re here to help make it a great experience for you and your family. This 3-hour tour is designed for ages 10+.
Aerial Based Activities
TreeTops Zipline Canopy Tour
Soar through the trees on our TreeTops Canopy tour! This adventure combines ziplines, suspended bridges, floating staircases, and short hikes on the forest floor for a unique aerial course suitable for the whole family. Participants must weigh between 90-260 pounds for this adventure and the minimum age is 10 years old.
Gravity Zipline
This aerial adventure is for those who are really looking for a thrill! Our high-flying zipline adventure, Gravity, takes you to soaring heights across long distances. You’ll fly above the trees throughout much of this trip, where you’ll experience a bird’s eye view of our mountain landscapes. You’ll even get to zipline on one of the longest and fastest ziplines in West Virginia and reach speeds of up to 65 mph! The minimum age for this activity is 12 years old and participants must weigh between 100-260 pounds.
TimberTrek Adventure Park
Our Timbertrek Adventure Park is the most inclusive aerial activity at Adventures on the Gorge. This course isn’t just for kids, although children as young as 4 can challenge themselves on our Chipmunk course (with an adult companion). This choose-your-own-adventure style course is designed with easy, moderate, and hard courses, so you can gradually work your way through each challenge as you navigate through the trees. TimberTrek features 7 different courses, so kids (and adults!) of every age can find the course that suits their comfort level and ability.
Twenty years from now, your kids may not remember the Lego set you bought them for the holidays last year or the video game they received for their birthday, but they will remember experiences, challenges, and the rewarding feeling of accomplishment when they overcome their fears by trying something new. To instill a sense of adventure and self-confidence in your children, take them on a family vacation that will challenge them, excite them, and make them realize how capable they are! At Adventures on the Gorge, our guides love helping children and families find their perfect balance between adventure, fun, and relaxation. Join us at Adventures on the Gorge and you’ll see why the New River Gorge National Park is the perfect backdrop for your next family vacation!