Lower New River Gorge Whitewater Rafting - Half Day

Most paddlers agree that the Lower New River Gorge starts with Pinball Rapid just a short distance below the Cunard river access. It is an 8 mile journey from there to the New River Gorge Bridge. At higher water levels, like those often encountered in the spring, rafting companies tend to start farther up the river. This accounts for the faster flows of high water days and ensures our guests get their fill of rafting! ACE Adventure Resort launches rafting trips from our private beach at higher levels and the run will be 13 miles long on those days.

Rapids on the Lower New River Gorge range in difficulty from Class I to Class IV+ making it a suitable river trip for first time rafters as well as those with more experience paddling whitewater. Rafting guests will take on two Class IV+ rapids named Lower Keeney and Double Z and will most likely get a chance to swim an easy rapid and leap off Jump Rock on their way down the river.

Prices will vary based on the day and time of year. Expect to spend about $115 – $159 per person depending on the options you choose for your rafting trip. The most economical trips will be mid week and our Half Day Lower New River Rafting Trips are a bit more affordable because they don’t include a riverside lunch along the way.

You will have a paddle and will be expected to work as part of the team.

It depends. A group of seven on a normal trip will be in the same raft. In rare instances, when there are few people rafting, your group might have to be split even up the rafts. That is, for example, if we had a group of seven and a single individual, we would split the group of seven into three and four with the individual placed with the group of three.

Groups of eight or nine can go in a larger boat by advance special request. Larger groups will go together on the same trip. Groups of more than sixty will probably go in waves. That is a six raft group will leave every 15 minutes or so. This allows the group to eat lunch together and to arrange evening activities together. Groups of more than two but less than seven may be split up.

We go. However, we will attempt to contact you if extremely bad conditions are expected to arrange an alternative tripdate. We have a complete line of neoprene wetsuits booties, wetsuit and nylon jackets and a limited supply of gloves. For no extra charge we will outfit you in a second larger wetsuit. Lunch would be served after the trip in our heated dining facility.

All our whitewater rafting trips are photographed by Whitewater Photography, a division of Leisure Sports Photography. They are an independent company and can be contacted at (304) 574-2338 – 8 x 10 photos of your trip will be available by the time you return to base.

Yes. By prepaying you are assured of getting your trip videoed. Most of our trips are videoed but a few are not. We have a limited number of video boaters and may not be able to cover every trip.

Only if it is waterproof and you are willing to risk losing it. We will not provide a waterproof container for it because all containers depend upon how well they seal and the seals frequently give way.

That is admirable but perhaps foolish. Fingers shrivel after a day of paddling and rings often do fall off. If you must wear your wedding band, please tape over it so it won’t fall off. No jewelry should be worn. Contact lenses can also be lost.

We can handle groups up to 600 guests before joining with another outfitter to help you. We have never heard of a group too large.

Unlike many outfitters who use 16-foot rafts with a 9:1 guest-to-guide ratio, our standard rafts are 14-foot boats with a 7:1 ratio. These smaller rafts offer a more personalized experience and greater maneuverability—making for a more exciting ride.

We also have:

• 12-foot rafts for a high-adrenaline, extreme ride (expect to swim!)
• 16-foot rafts for larger groups (8–9 guests) or those looking for a more stable, mellow trip

All rafts are self-bailing and built for whitewater action. Let us know if you have a group preference or want to turn up the intensity!

No, duckies (inflatable kayaks) are illegal on the Lower New River.

ACE has eight shower or restroom facilities. We have over 70 showers on the property. ACE is the only outfitter to provide more than trees during lunch on the normal Lower New trip, the Lower Gauley, and the Upper Gauley. Toilets are available at the putin for the Lower Gauley and the Lower New. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains facilities at Summersville Dam. Toilets are available at the takeouts of all trips.

Please remember that ACE is located in a remote region of West Virginia. That’s great news for most of our guests who are looking to get away from the busy day to day routine… but often the remote location can be challenging for cell phone and GPS signals. We encourage you to save directions on our phone, or print them out, prior to beginning your travel to ACE Adventure Resort.

For guests using GPS please use the following address:  602 E Main St, Oak Hill, WV.  This is the address of the Marathon Gas Station directly across from Minden Road. GPS is often inaccurate when using ACE Adventure Resort as a destination.

From the Marathon Gas Station… • Turn onto Minden Rd. across from Marathon Gas Station • Follow the ACE sign – You are only 2.9 miles away from the ACE Adventure Resort. • At approximately 1.3 miles, veer left onto McKinney Rd. • At 2.1 miles, turn right to stay on Minden Rd. (follow ACE sign – do not go straight onto Rocklick Rd.) • At 2.9 miles turn left at the ACE Adventure Center entrance and stop by the Welcome Center to check-in. • Drive carefully down these steep mountain roads and slowly pass other cars on unpaved shoulders. • Also, please drive slowly and watch for children and pets as you pass through the tiny town of Minden, an old mining community with houses located very close to the road.

Spring And Fall Rafting (March-May, September-November)

• Layering allows you to adjust quickly to changing weather
• Loose, fast-drying, durable clothes
• Synthetic poly-pro, fleece, capilene, or lightweight wool undershirts and socks add warmth, wick moisture, and dry fast!
• Coated nylon jackets and pants made from breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex will protect your underlayers from the wind and spray
• Neoprene wetsuits and paddling jackets (available for rent). Synthetic, wool, or neoprene gloves and hat (must fit comfortably under helmet)
• Waterproof cameras that you can secure (like a GoPro helmet camera) or disposable cameras with wrist strap
• Water bottles that can be secured
• Waterproof total-block sunscreen SPF 45 or greater; apply several times during trip
• UV-protected sunglasses with an adjustable strap

Summer Rafting (June-August)

• Swimsuit and shorts
• T-shirt
• Baseball cap (must fit comfortably under helmet)
• UV Protected Sunglass with adjustable strap
• Sneakers or river sandals with straps
• Waterproof total-block sunscreen SPF 45 or greater; apply several times during trip!
• Lip balm (SPF)
• Light rain jacket for overcast days (paddling jackets are available for rent)
• Cotton shirts and shorts are only recommended for hot weather!
• Light colors reflect the sun better than dark color