Things To Do In Beckley

Since 1977, the staff at New & Gauley River Adventures has helped visitors create year-round excitement across two rivers and more than 60,000 acres of terrain. The experts customize adventures, dispensing guides and gear for exhibitions, such as kayaking and high-speed whitewater rafting. Rafts float down the New River Gorge, passing by ghost towns and jump rocks. Meanwhile, the Gauley River emerges at the base of the Summersville Dam to form Class V+ rapids and enough churning whitewater to wash all of a giant's laundry. Back on dry land, horseback-riding groups meander through pre?Civil War roads. Ziplines soar across treetop canopies, and rocky peaks beckon climbers to scale their surface. As winter spills snow on the ground, the adventurous staff turns focus to cold-weather activities, such as snowshoeing and snowmen wrestling. The company's lodging options?which include campsites and cabins? let visitors rest up between their adventures. Nestled amid lush trees, the onsite Undercut Pub & Grill readies growling stomachs for hibernation with home-cooked breakfast and pub fare.

West Virginia's New River Gorge beckons thrill-seekers and nature-lovers alike with a stretch of unspoiled nature, and Adventures on the Gorge rests on the rim to make sure they find it. Blending quiet country peace with adrenaline-pumping excitement, the resort has a little something for everyone. Whitewater rafting expeditions, for instance, send paddlers of all skill levels across the rolling rapids and peaceful stretches of the Lower New River and the Gauley River. Ziplines, on the other hand, lift nature explorers into the canopy, and the TimberTrek Aerial Park lets guests navigate the forest the same way squirrels do?on a series of ziplines, swings, and bridges.

So that guests never have to leave, Adventures on the Gorge tends to all their creature comforts. Cabins nestled in the woods contain comfy couches and even hot tubs, whereas campgrounds allow people to get back to their simpler roots. Yet no matter where they stay, guests can swing into the onsite restaurants and pubs to grab a cold one and avoid the hassle of cooking a casserole over a fire.

Skydive Coastal California's air-riding experts take first-time and experienced jumpers to the stratosphere for jumps above the scenic vistas of southern California. Tethered to clients, they guide tandem rides to facilitate first tastes of terminal velocity before coasting in for a soft landing. To accommodate licensed skydivers with a current reserve parachute, the staff guides planes over the business's own scenic landing zone so jumpers can take to the air on their own. Beginners who wish to become full-fledged divers can opt for the Accelerated Freefall program, in which aficionados teach the skills necessary to make solo jumps such as how to handle equipment or merge into goose traffic without a blinker.

Led by outdoor adventure specialist Bobby Bower, the knowledgeable guides at PRO River Outfitters bring an average of 17 years of West Virginia river experience to their fishing trips. A multitude of fishing trips are designed to suit both novices and seasoned anglers eager to reel in smallmouth bass or walleye.

Outdoor adventurers raft, zipline, and climb across Ace Adventure Resort's 1,500 acres of wilderness along the New River Gorge National River, staying close to the action with a variety of lodging options. Whitewater-rafting trips satisfy all skill levels and include family-friendly Upper New River excursions with bouncy rapids, swimming holes, and a grilled lunch. Intermediate Lower New River trips balance rapids with calm spots to thrill both beginners and advanced rafters, and the Gauley River provides a challenging adventure with its raging rapids and predatory goldfish. More than a dozen off-river adventure activities send guests ziplining through the canopy, revving through the mud on ATVs, and horseback riding down shaded trails to catch views of the New River Gorge. The lake itself is stocked with big inflatable toys, including waterslides and trampolines for kids. After action-packed days, groups lodge in deluxe cabins outfitted with kitchens and bathrooms or opt for rustic cabins, cabin tents, or sites perfect for parking an RV or roadworthy caboose.

New River Climbing School’s PCGI-trained and certified staff, led by senior cragsman David Wolff, shepherds climbers of all skill levels skyward during a variety of education-packed tours. Small groups equipped with the necessary climbing and rappelling gear—such as shoes, helmets, and microphones for amplifying yodels—follow the step-by-step instructions of experienced guides, who undergo rigid evaluations before earning a spot on the school’s team. Throughout each adventure, the New River Gorge coddles sensory receptors with an array of sites, sounds, and smells, including kaleidoscopic rock swirls and towering mountains chiseled into words of encouragement. Half-day and full-weekend tours enable the staff to further cater to guests from varying backgrounds, occupations, and experience levels.