Since “River” is literally its middle name, many people planning a visit to the New River Gorge naturally think of water activities. Kayaking, standup paddleboarding, swimming and tubing are great ways to beat the summertime heat, but it is VERY important to know where you can do these things safely.
As the New River makes its way through its namesake gorge, most of it is wild and untamed and not recommended for casual recreation. Here’s what the National Park Service has to say about it: “Individual trip participants must recognize and assume responsibility for the attendant dangers, which include – but are not limited to – possible loss of life.”
But there are lots of options in the area to safely get wet. We always point out to our guests at Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals that the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is only the centerpiece of a phenomenal outdoor recreation area. Read on see our recommendations and a list of the area’s recreational lakes.
Swimming and Tubing in the New River Gorge
Swimming
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: “Everyone should wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) anytime you are enjoying one of the New River’s activities.” We recommend the following swimming locations in and around the New River Gorge:
- Summersville Lake
- Swimming Hole below the Gristmill at Babcock State Park
- Stone Cliff Beach in New River Gorge National Park
- Army Camp in New River Gorge National Park
- Grandview Sandbar in New River Gorge National Park
- Swimming Hole below Glade Creek Falls on the Glade Creek Trail
- Lake Stephens
- Bluestone Lake
- The Dries at Cotton Hill near Fayetteville – The Dries is a section of the New River immediately downriver of Hawks Nest Dam. During most of the year it has very low and slow flow due to the dam’s diversion of the water through an underground tunnel. There are, however, several times a year when the dam is released (or very heavy rains occur) and water levels change quickly. Read the signs and talk to a local before venturing into the Dries. It can be a very tricky area to navigate.
Adventure Lakes
There are three adventure lakes in the area that have inflatable games, slides and more: ACE Adventure Waterpark in the lower (northern) section of the New River Gorge, Lake Stephens west of Beckley, WV, and Pipestem Resort State Park Adventure Lake in the upper (southern) section.
Tubing
You can rent tubes, other small crafts, and book a shuttle service on the upper New River and Greenbrier River at Berry’s Campground or New River Outfitters in Hinton, WV (about an hour from Fayetteville).
You should NOT tube along the lower New River (upper section of the national park near Fayetteville). It is much too dangerous.
New River Gorge Kayaking
Have your own kayak?
You better be a REALLY good kayaker to get on the New River. Here’s what the National Park Service has to say about it: “The section of the New River from Hinton to Thurmond – known as the upper (southern) section of the river – offers challenging Class I, II, and III rapids suitable for intermediate whitewater paddlers, and consists primarily of long pools and moderate rapids. Downstream from Thurmond in the lower (northern) section of the river the channel significantly narrows and includes technical Class III – IV rapids. The New River below Thurmond is suitable only for advanced and expert paddlers.”
IIMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: “Everyone should wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) anytime you are enjoying one of the New River’s activities.” Because kayaking on whitewater requires a high level of expertise, we only recommend the following flat water locations:
- Summersville Lake
- Above and Below Kanawha Falls near Gauley Bridge, WV
- Hawks Nest Lake
- Boley Lake at Babcock State Park
- Plum Orchard Lake
- Little Beaver State Park Lake
- Lake Stephens
- The Upper (Southern) Section of the New River near the Confluence with the Greenbrier River
- Bluestone Lake
Need to rent a kayak?
Rented kayaks can only be used at the location where they are obtained. Outfitters do not/should not rent kayaks for use on the Lower New or Gauley Rivers. You can rent kayaks at the following locations:
- Summersville Lake Marina
- Lakeside Outfitters near Summersville Dam
- The Glen Ferris Inn near Gauley Bridge, WV (limited quantity)
- Little Beaver State Park Lake
- Lake Stephens
- Bluestone State Park Lake
- ACE Adventure Gear in Fayetteville
- New River Gorge Outfitters in Hinton, WV
- You can rent duckies (inflatable sit-on-top kayaks) in the upper section of the New River Gorge at Cantrell’s near Hinton, WV.
Want to take a class or guided kayak tour?
ACE Adventure Resort and Adventures on the Gorge both offer whitewater kayak skills clinics, guided whitewater kayaking trips, and guided flatwater kayaking trips. Lakeside Outfitters offers guided kayak tours on Summersville Lake.
New River Gorge Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Have your own SUP?
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: “Everyone should wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) anytime you are enjoying one of the New River’s activities.” We recommend paddle boarding at the following locations:
- Summersville Lake
- Below Kanawha Falls near Gauley Bridge, WV
- Hawks Nest Lake
- Boley Lake at Babcock State Park
- Plum Orchard Lake
- Little Beaver State Park Lake
- Lake Stephens
- The Upper (Southern) Section of the New River near the Confluence with the Greenbrier River
- Bluestone Lake
Need to rent a SUP?
Rented paddle boards can only be used at the location where they are obtained. Outfitters do not/should not rent paddle boards for use on the Lower New or Gauley Rivers. You can rent standup paddle boards at the following places:
- Mountain Surf Paddle Sports
- Summersville Lake Marina
- Lakeside Outfitters (near Summersville Dam)
- Little Beaver State Park
- ACE Adventure Gear in Fayetteville
Want to take a guided SUP tour?
We HIGHLY recommend booking a trip with Mountain Surf Paddle Sports. They offer trips to Summersville Lake, Kanawha Falls, and even under the New River Gorge Bridge! Adventures on the Gorge and ACE Adventure Resort also offer paddle boarding trips.
Recreational Lakes in the New River Gorge Region
Summersville Lake
Summersville Lake, West Virginia’s largest lake, is located just south of Summersville, WV about 20 minutes from Fayetteville. It comprises 2,800 acres of beautiful crystal clear water that is heavily used for boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, climbing, and other recreation.
Visitors sometimes have a hard time understanding how to best access the lake since it’s operation and marketing are shared in part by the Army Corp of Engineers, City of Summersville, the Summersville CVB and even a small section by West Virginia State Parks. None have produced a good, complete online map, so we recommend studying Google Maps and following this advice:
- If you are bringing your own equipment, there are public launch ramps at Battle Run, Salmon Run, and Summersville Lake Marina.
- If you want to rent boats, kayaks, or paddleboards, visit Summersville Lake Marina located at the Long Point Area or Lakeside Outfitters near the Dam Overlook.
- If you want to swim, go to the beach at Battle Run Area.
- If you want to scuba dive, contact Sarge’s Dive Shop.
Hawk’s Nest Lake at Hawk’s Nest State Park
Hawks Nest State Park is located in Ansted, WV about 20 minutes from Fayetteville. The lake is actually a wide section of the New River created by the Hawks Nest Dam. There are two boat ramps where you can launch with your own equipment, or you can enjoy a guided jet boat ride. We like to hike to the lake on the Hawks Nest Rail Trail (AKA Ansted Rail Trail), but you can also drive there via Hawks Nest Road (60/2).
Boley Lake at Babcock State Park
Babcock State Park is located near Clifftop, WV about 20 minutes from Fayetteville. In addition to the great swimming hole below the old grist mill, Babcock State Park is home to Boley Lake, a small but beautiful lake that offers rentals of paddle BOATS, rowboats and canoes (but not swimming).
Plum Orchard Lake
Plum Orchard Lake is near Pax, WV about 30 minutes from Fayetteville. This is a 2,953-acre WV Wildlife Management Area primarily used for fishing. Swimming in not permitted, but you can bring your own kayak or paddleboard and float among the waterlilies.
Little Beaver Lake at Little Beaver State Park
Little Beaver State Park is located near Beaver, WV near the Grandview section of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It is about 40 minutes from Fayetteville. You can rent stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes and paddle BOATS at the park’s 18-acre lake, but it’s not for swimming.
Lake Stephens
Lake Stephens is located west of Beckley, WV about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. This 272 acre fishing and boating lake, operated by the Raleigh County Park and Recreation Department, has a marina, concession stand, beach, water park, and sprinkler splash pad. Paddle BOAT, kayak and aqua bike rentals are available.
Bluestone Lake at Bluestone State Park
Bluestone Lake State Park is located south of Hinton, WV about an hour from Fayetteville. Fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks and canoes are available for rent at the Bluestone marina and swimming is easy and welcome.
Who are we? Amy & Shawn, New River Gorge hikers, master naturalists, and owners of Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals in downtown Fayetteville, WV – the heart of New River Gorge National Park. Need more data for your New River Gorge exploration? We recommend the following:
Our 10 Favorite Activities in the New River Gorge
I am a local and have paddled on the Upper New and Greenbrier rivers in my kayak as well as some of our local lakes. I am disappointed that you used a photo of someon in a kayak with a PFD on. In my humble I
Opinion it is dangerous to be on any of our rivers with this important life saving equipment.