About
New River, West Virginia — 1978 National Wild and Scenic River. Ten thousand years of habitation preceded the coal boom that carved 50-plus company towns from the New River Gorge between the 1870s and 1920s. Now America's newest national park as of 2020, the New River cuts 53 miles through Fayette and Raleigh counties at an average 3,200 CFS — big water that ranges from family floats to Class V technical drops. The upper section from Sandstone to Grandview runs Class I–II, suitable for novice paddlers. Below Grandview to Fayette Station, the gradient steepens into Class III–IV water that draws commercial outfitters like ACE Adventure Resort and Class VI River Runners. The Dries section demands expert skills, pushing Class IV–V through technical boulder gardens when flows drop below 2,000 CFS. Optimal range runs 1,500–6,000 CFS on USGS gauge 03185400. Wild & Scenic designation protects the corridor's free-flowing character, while American Whitewater maintains stewardship agreements for access and conservation.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.