What's the Best Rafting Company at New River Gorge? (Honest Answer: Any of Them)
That's a question we get all the time, and here's the honest answer: it doesn't really matter.
Every rafting company operating on the New River Gorge takes safety as their absolute highest priority. The guides are experienced, professional, and genuinely care about the people in their boats — if you needed help out on the water, any guide from any company would be right there. Many guides actually rotate between companies from season to season, so the difference between outfitters is often smaller than you'd think.
That said, there are real differences worth knowing about — especially if you're trying to decide whether to stay on-site, which activities you want, or how big of an operation you're comfortable with. Here's our rundown in alphabetical order:
Rafting the New River. photo credit iron arch photography
ACE Adventure Resort The big resort experience, south side of the bridge
AoG is one of the two largest operations in the area, and it shows — in the best way. On-site cabins and camping, multiple dining options including wood-fired pizza, ziplining, and a full waterpark with an inflatable obstacle course, water slide, and splash pad. Our personal pick between the two big ones, mostly because the waterpark is fantastic for older kids and adults alike. ACE was also ranked by the Travel Channel as North America's #1 Most Extreme Outdoor-Adventure Resort, which is the kind of thing that sounds made up but is actually real.
Adventures on the Gorge The big resort experience, north side of the bridge
AotG is ACE’s counterpart on the other side of the gorge — another large, well-established operation with decades of experience.They've been around long enough to have figured out how to do this at scale without losing the personal touch. On-site accommodations ranging from camping to cabins, multiple restaurants including one with killer views of the bridge, a swimming pool, ziplining, and loads of other activities. Great for families with little kids. If you want a full resort experience where everything is in one place, this is a strong choice.
Cantrell Ultimate Rafting Small, personal, and proud of it
Cantrell is one of the smallest operations around and one of the most personal. They have camping and cabins on site, and their Our House Pub & Grill in Fayetteville is a great spot in its own right. When you raft with Cantrell, you feel like you're joining a family for the day. A great pick if you want a more intimate experience and less of a resort vibe.
New & Gauley River Adventures Personal touch, beautiful setting
New & Gauley has a loyal following and a beautiful setting with cabins and camping available. They offer trips on both the New and Gauley Rivers, plus horseback riding, fishing, and mountain biking. A smaller, more personal operation where the guides know the river like their own backyard. We'd be remiss not to mention the Burrito Bar — a beloved nearby restaurant that used to be reason enough alone to choose New & Gauley. It's gone now and we're still not fully over it. RIP, sweet Burrito Bar.
River Expeditions Our personal favorite, and it's hard to explain why
The daughter of the founder has been guiding since she was legally old enough to do so at age 16 — that's the kind of thing that tells you everything about the culture of a place. They offer trips on both the New and the Gauley, including the Upper Gauley for experienced rafters looking for a serious challenge. We've been with River Expeditions on the Upper Gauley and came back safe, happy, and already planning the next trip. There's just something about them that gives us a warm, confident feeling — and in this sport, that matters.
West Virginia Adventures Small, local, and personal
Based in Hico, WV, West Virginia Adventures is a small locally owned company with a dedicated following. If boutique and personal is what you're after, they're worth a look.
So how do I actually choose?
A few practical filters:
Staying on-site? AotG and ACE both offer the most robust on-site accommodation and activity options. River Expeditions, New & Gauley and Cantrell also have camping and cabins.
Traveling with little kids? AoG's pool or ACE's waterpark and splash pad. Upper New River trips are suitable for kids 6 and over.
Want a smaller, more personal experience? Cantrell, River Expeditions, or West Virginia Adventures.
Staying off-site? Anyplace in Oak Hill or Fayetteville is going to be 10-20 minutes from every rafting company. Find a place you think is cool! Most trips launch early in the morning, and you will absolutely be tired afterward.
Whatever you choose, you're going to have a great time. The river is the star of the show.
