The mountains of this region provide much appreciated relief to the urban folk clustered along the coast. The Appalachian mountains range from north to south, and in upstate New York the Adirondacks, which are actually part of the Canadian shield, stand guard. Whitewater rivers here are short and sweet. Opportunities for several day journeys are practically nil. But who cares? This is an area in which quick escape counts for a lot.

Jump down to —
The Top Three | The Wildest One! | (Don't Tell Anyone)

This is the mother of commercial rafting—not only because it's perhaps the first river to host commercial rafting, but also because it's the first whitewater experience for thousands. The Yough is easily reachable from Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Baltimore, and a reasonable trip from the greater New York metro area. The river is wildest in Maryland, a little more manageable in Pennsylvania. Exquisite Swallow Falls State Park offers runs that are either short and ultra-hairy, or longer and ultra-hairier.

More on the Youghiogheny River

New River, West Virginia
Difficulty: Class III to V
Season: April through October
Trip Length: One to two days

The New River starts high in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. It then heads straight north to meet the Gauley. In so doing it manages to transect every ridge in the Alleghenies. Its name is actually a misnomer in that, geologically, it is one of the world's oldest rivers. Where it cuts across the place called the Narrows in Virginia, near the state line, some of the oldest rocks in the East have been exposed.

The New is usually divided into three sections. The uppermost, from Sandstone to McCreery, is the most remote. It offers some interesting Class II combined with flatwater—good for canoes. The section from Prince to Thurmond has a little more sass, with runs landing at Class III. But the river goes from good to great in the Little River Gorge, where the whitewater escalates to a rousing Class IV or even Class V.

More on the New River

Hudson River Gorge, New York
Difficulty: Class III to IV
Season: April through October, summer during scheduled releases
Trip Length: One day

Whatever excitement exists in New York City, where the Hudson meets the sea, is more than matched by the excitement of the river near its source. You drive to Indian Lake, where a 2.5-mile stretch of the Indian River serves as access to the Hudson River Gorge. From there it's hold on to your britches.

It took an act of Congress to get a regularly scheduled dam release, and there's been no looking back since. Releases are scheduled for the fall, and that's when to book a trip. There are five major Class IV+ to Class V rapids along the major Sumersville Dam to Bucklick section.

More on the Gauley River

Sure, the Maury, which is part of James River watershed, can hit a passionate Class IV. But for the most part this is a world of easy rapids—great for beginners who are looking to build confidence. Strap a boat onto your car top and noodle around.

Move on to New England Trips Return to Top