More than 150,000 people boat down West Virginia’s exciting rivers each year, with the winding New River the most popular of all. This iconic waterway attracts kayakers, white-water rafters and jet-boaters alike, who come to navigate through stirring and imposing gorges, beyond verdant scenery and into challenging rapids. Yet you will not just find daredevils coursing down this 320-mile river, as it is also a hit with recreational boaters who come to cruise beneath the New River Gorge Bridge, a 3030-foot steel arch bridge that soars some 876-feet above the river itself and one of the state’s most well-known landmarks. The 105-mile Gauley River is another watercourse also much-loved by adrenalin-junkies, particularly during the six-week Gauley Season in the fall. During this period the Summersville Dam intentionally releases additional water to create the perfect conditions for bare-knuckle rafting that appeals to both experienced and novice rafters.
West Virginia’s largest lake is Summersville Lake, a 2,700-acre reservoir with 60 miles of unspoilt shore that includes everything from dramatic cliffs to sandy coves. The lake is home to the state’s largest marina, a 473-slip full service facility for vessels up to 60-feet in length that also offers boat rentals. From here you can cruise in your motorboat or start fishing for diverse species of bass, walleye, crappie and panfish. Sutton Lake, a 1,520-acre artificial lake that follows the Elk River, is another popular option with recreational boaters. A good choice for those looking to explore on a pontoon boat, this lake offers fishing, peaceful surrounds and the very best of homespun Appalachian culture, including the nearby West Virginia Bigfoot Museum.
West Virginia has a vibrant, multi-million dollar boating industry that is dominated by marine services, repair and storage, though Washington-based builders of luxury pontoons Pure Watercraft operate an 80,000 square foot, state-of-the-art factory in Beech Bottom, WV.
