New River Gorge & Whitewater Rafting Travel Guide
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The area of the gorge is large and isolated, but acessible on scenic US 60 or via the brand new US 19 expressway. The New River Gorge Bridge on US 19 is the world's longest steel arch bridge, and is a man-made thing of beauty set against stunning natural beauty. The visitor's center has a walkway down to arguably the most perfect picture-taking point in existance.
Hawk's Nest State Park is located near the town of Ansted on US 60, and offers a modern lodge and the ability to take an aerial tram down to the river, then take a jetboat to near the foot of the bridge. Do you remember the Chevy commercial where they bungee jumped an SUV from a bridge? Yeah. That was here. An annual event known as Bridge Day takes place in October, where base jumpers come from as far away as New Zealand to parachute from the deck of the bridge to the river below. Although amateurs are not permitted to jump, they do close down the bridge to traffic and turn the highway into a pedestrian mall complete with cotton candy vendors and souvenir peddlers, with almost a carnival atmosphere.
One of the biggest draws of the area is whitewater rafting; this is a thrilling experience and almost anyone from pre-pubescent children to geriatric patients can experience some form of it. Pick a company and guide from the many available, tell them your adrenoline tolerance, and they'll either take you on a semi-leisurely float trip down the New River or a wild ride down the class IV and V rapids of the nearby Gauley River. Rafting is seasonal; the more challenging trips must be coordinated with releases of water from nearby reservoirs, usually in the early fall.
While visiting the New River Gorge take a day out to go horseback riding at Canyon Rim Ranch.
Additional travel guides are available in ten languages at Wikitravel.org
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