White water rafting in the state

Whitewater abounds in West Virginia with more than 2,000 miles of streams plunging through the Appalachian mountains. About 200 miles of the state's rivers have been designated for commercial rafting, and a number of outfitters offer professional guides on the three rivers below as well as on the Tygart, Greenbrier, Bluestone, south Branch (Potomac), Meadow, Shenandoah and Big Sandy Creek.

1. New River

The New River is popular with rafters from novices to experts. Rapids are classed from I to V. Trips are available from April to October. The upper New is fairly easy, but the lower New, through the New River Gorge, escalates from Class II to Class V.

2. Cheat River.

Supposedly named because it "cheated" some early traveler of their lives, the Cheat River is a challenge for intermediate to advanced rafters. The rapids of the "wild Cheat" are classed from III to V+.

3. Gauley River

One of the two greatest whitewater rivers in the United States (and seventh among the rivers of the world) the Gauley has 50 major rapids of of a total of 100 in an exciting 38-mile stretch. Some outfitters take two days to run it, with camping overnight on the riverbank.

Source: The West Virginia Book of Lists by Gerald Timlinson and Richard C. Weigen

State Population: 1,808,344
Land in square miles: 24,078
Number of people per square mile: 75.1
More facts from the 2000 Census

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