Adventures on the Gorge – Everything you need to plan an epic family trip
If you're looking for an experience chock full of family fun and outdoor adventure, check out Adventures on the Gorge. Located in West Virginia near the US's newest National Park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, this outdoor-focused resort has everything you need for a great active vacation.
Adventures on the Gorge – Everything you need to plan an epic family trip
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is America's newest National Park. A stay at Adventures on the Gorge is a great place to establish a base camp to explore the wild and wonderful beauty of this area.
Please note: Reservations are strongly recommended for each activity offered at Adventures on the Gorge.
Getting to Adventures on the Gorge
Address: 219 Co Rte 60/5, Lansing, WV 25862
Adventures on the Gorge is located about an hour's drive from Charleston's Yeager Airport (CRW.) Other airport options include Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) which is about an 80-minute drive and Raleigh County Memorial Airport (BKW) which is about 40 miles away. Flights may be more limited into Greenbrier Valley and Raleigh County Memorial. Although Charleston isn't a major hub, it's easy to find flights in and out, although if you're adding a trip on to Greenbrier, it might make more sense to look at using their airport.
If flying, I recommend renting a car and driving to Adventures on the Gorge. Adventures on the Gorge also offer paid airport shuttles that must be booked in advance. If you enjoy walking, it's easy enough to navigate the resort on foot but if you don't have your own wheels, you're limited to any off-resort exploring you might like to do.
Whitewater Rafting with Adventures on the Gorge
Adventures on the Gorge is located near both the New and Gauley Rivers. We did a full day on the Upper New River, which is perfect for newbies, families with younger children, or those wanting a milder dose of adventure. Kids 6-11* raft free with a paying adult, Saturdays excluded, so this can be a great bargain for families watching their vacation budget.
Our full-day adventure on the Upper New River included transportation, lunch, and time to swim, as well as all equipment you need for a day on the river. The run included Class I-III rapids. The two sets up Class III rapids we went through were pretty intense, at least that's what I thought. Our inflatable kayak (also known as a duckie) flipped over going through the second to last set-up rapids (Surprise Falls) which was my least favorite part of the adventure. That said, our guides prepared us very well for what to do in case that happened.
If everyone in your group is 12+ and you want faster rapids, you can take a trip on the Lower New River, which steps up the intensity of the rapids. If you opt for the Lower New River, you'll paddle as a group in a raft with an experienced guide giving directions. The Lower New River trip also includes transportation, lunch, time to swim, and equipment.
Both excursions include beverages on the bus on your way back to Adventures on the Gorge.
If you're interested in whitewater rafting excursions on the Gauley River, check out Adventures on the Gorge's selection of whitewater rafting excursions to see which one is right for you. In general, the Gauley River is more intense than the New River and better suited to experienced whitewater rafters.
*This activity is for kids 6 and up.
Other Adventures on the Gorge
Whitewater rafting might be a big draw at Adventures on the Gorge but there are lots of other things to do. Our family did the Treetops Zipline Canopy Tour, Timbertrek Adventures, and the Guided Rock Climbing.
The Treetops Canopy Zipline Tour is a two-hour adventure that includes five swinging bridges and 10 different zip lines that send you soaring through the treetops, as the name suggests.
Timbertrek Adventures consists of seven obstacle courses set in the tree canopy. Navigate swinging bridges, nets, platforms, and more. The courses range in difficulty and there's a grid that explains who should do which course, and what type of supervision or prerequisite course applies. Experienced guides render assistance, if needed, from the ground. Participants are assigned to a group of 20 people. Three hours are given to navigate the courses. Non-participating parents can observe from the trees.
We also did a guided rock climbing, which my husband and kids really enjoyed. We had two very experienced guides who took our group of novice rock climbers through the basics of rock climbing and kept us safe. Transportation and all equipment are included. Full-day rock climbing trips that include lunch are also available.
There are lots of other activities available, including guided hikes, horseback riding, flatwater activities and more. Here's a complete list of activities. Make sure you check the respective limits that may apply for age and weight for each activity.
New! New River Jet Boats
Brand-new for the 2024 season is New River Jet Boats. A jet boat ride is a new, thrilling way to explore the river that's open to everyone. While most of the other adventure activities at Adventures on the Gorge have age restrictions in place, anyone can enjoy one of these two hour jet boat tours from the comfort of a 16 passenger Waterman jetboat.
This is a budget-friendly family activitie with prices starting at $29 for kids and $39 for adults. The view of the New River Bridge from the river is spectacular and this is a great way to get that view without going full on whitewater. It's a milder taste of the whitewater experience and a good way for younger guests to experience the wild beauty of the river.
Lodging and Dining at Adventures on the Gorge
Adventures on the Gorge offers various lodging options. Camping is an option if you don't mind roughing it a little. If you prefer outdoor adventure with a healthy dose of luxury, there's a place just for you.
I've stayed in both the Sportsman Cabin and the Kaymoor Cabin, and both are very comfortable for anyone who loves the great outdoors but also needs all the comforts of the great indoors, such as beds, showers, and air conditioning.
Sportsman Cabin
This is advertised to sleep up to 12 people, and there are plenty of beds. However, there is only one bathroom, so a group of 12 would need to keep that in mind when booking. I stayed in the Sportsman with my husband and two kids, and we had plenty of space.
Our cabin had a secluded feel, even though it was near other nearby cabins. There was a small downstairs living area with a futon couch and an eating area. There wasn't a full kitchen, but there was a sink, microwave, and a full-size fridge. The upstairs loft had three double beds and four twin beds.
There's a bathroom, covered porch, and fire pit downstairs. Our cabin was rustic but comfortable. We were busy and only there to sleep, so this was perfect. It was located a short drive or a healthy walk from everywhere we needed to be.
Kaymoor Cabin
The Kaymoor cabins sleep two or four people. I stayed in a Kaymoor Suite, which sleeps four. This two-room cabin has a bedroom with a king bed and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room. As with the Sportsman, there was a deck, a firepit, and a feeling of seclusion, even though we weren't far from other cabins.
The bathroom in the Kaymoor was spacious and had all the comforts of home. The only drawback to a stay with four people would be that whoever is sleeping on the living room pullout would have to walk through the bedroom to use the bathroom. Otherwise, it's a great, very comfortable retreat.
Onsite Food and Beverage Options
You can venture into Lansing or Fayetteville to check out the local food and beverage scene but you don't have to leave the property because Adventures on the Gorge has delicious food on site. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at Smokey's on the Gorge, which has delicious appetizers and entrees. Breakfast is served buffet style and is a really great spread with everything you need to fuel you up for a day of adventure. If you want a lighter breakfast, Sweet Java Falls has grab-and-go-style offerings, such as breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, pastries, and specialty coffees.
Chetty's Pub is another great choice for lunches and dinners. They have a smaller, simpler bar menu but you'll find great and hearty choices and great beer, too. If you're looking to grab a burger or some wings, Chetty's is the place for you. There's both indoor seating and patio seating.
Resort Amenities At Adventures On The Gorge
In addition to the lodging and restaurants, Adventures on the Gorge has a great pool, disc golf, and a playground. Two stores will have everything from camping essentials to clothing, to souvenirs. If you forget something you need for your rafting trip or other adventure, you'll be able to buy it on-site.
One of the things I loved most about Adventures on the Gorge was the stunning scenery. All around were places to take in the views, including some very majestic sunsets. There may be other onsite activities during your visit. There was live music twice during our four-day stay.
Canyon Rim Visitor's Center New River Gorge National Park
The Canyon Rim Visitor's Center is a great place to learn about the history of America's newest national park and the history of the area. There's a great interpretive center, a theater, a well-stocked gift shop with tons of books, and a porch with scenic overlooks and possibly the best view of the river from above.
There are also a few trails on site you can walk to to get another look at the bridge and the river. I recommend allowing at least an hour to explore the visitor's center and grounds.
New River Gorge Bridge Walk
The New River Gorge Bridge Walk is advertised as “the walk of your life” and it definitely is that. This adventure will last two to three hours and take you on a one-mile trek across a catwalk that runs 25 feet under the New River Bridge, also known as the Capital Bridge. You're about 800 feet up in the air, walking along a 24-inch wide catwalk. You're harnessed in so the activity is very safe. That said, it's still fairly scary, at least I thought so.
Visitors to the bridge are guided by an experienced guide who explains the history of the bridge and gives great recommendations for photos. The trip is one way – the shuttle that takes you to the bridge is waiting for you on the other end to take you back to where your car is parked.
I recommend pairing the bridge walk with a visit to the Canyon Rim Visitor's Center described above. They're located right next to each other and these two activities fill a morning pretty perfectly.
Where else to go
Explore the area around Adventures on the Gorge and check out some of these spots.
Lewisburg
Lewisburg has a walkable downtown and lots of food options. Don't miss places to eat are the Stardust Cafe, the Humble Tomato, and the French Goat. While Lewisburg West Virginia and elevated French cuisine and desserts might not appear to go hand in hand, prepare to be surprised.
White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs is home to the iconic resort, The Greenbrier. In addition to gorgeous lanscaping and vibrant, eclectic, colorful decor, The Greenbrier has golf, upscale dining, and a hidden cold war-era bunker that visitors can tour. Another top pick in White Sulphur Springs is the Schoolhouse Hotel, which was formerly White Sulphur Springs High School. The hotel is fully accessible so anyone with any mobility issues or who needs an accessible room will find it easy to get around, plus the theming is whimsical and well done.
Fayetville
For more trip ideas, Visit Southern West Virginia and Greenbrier County have lots of information and inspiration.
Limb Differences and accommodations
As you can see from the pictures (and may know if you've been following my blog for a while) one of my kids has a limb difference. I found the staff at Adventures on the Gorge to be very accommodating. For the treetop adventure activities that required gloves, we used duck tape to keep the glove closed on his little hand. Our river guide worked with various things to help Zack hold his paddle and nothing really did the trick. He figured out how to hold the paddle on his own and did fine, although we have used hardware to affix a drawer pull onto his paddle for similar activities.
This is definitely an active vacation but if someone in your group has disabilities or limitations, definitely talk it out with the staff to see what is possible.
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Adventures on the gorge is a great spot, we have been there several times. We love the cabins and the zip lines the most. If you take your dog with you drop them off for doggy daycare at NRG Doggy Day Camp- they are the best!