Outdoor Fayetteville

Fayetteville Highlights

Raft the Gauley and New Rivers, two of the rowdiest stretches of whitewater in the East. The Gauley season runs from September to the third weekend in October, while the New’s season starts in early spring and continues through August and sometimes into September, depending on water levels. Recommended outfitters include Wildwater Expeditions, North American River Runners, and ACE Adventure Center. Book ahead—these rivers get busy.
Cruise out of town on the wooded 2.8-mile Fayetteville Trail. This route hooks up with the seven-mile Cunard-Kaymoor Trail, a lovely hike (no bikes allowed!) that rolls 500 feet above the New River Gorge. The route takes you past some more recent mining operations as it leads to the historic Kaymoor mine site—by way of some fine overlooks of the New River.
Sign up for a whitewater-kayaking class on the New River’s relatively tame Class I–III rapids, where you’ll learn to roll, handle big currents, and bag a few new tricks. North American River Runners offers a two-day clinic.
Take a stab at one of 1,400 climbing routes in the New River Gorge, including some technical 5.11 and 5.12 pitches. Meanwhile, Seneca Rocks in the massive Monongahela National Forest serves up another 375 established routes.
End your day of Class V mayhem with ribs and beer at Smokey’s on the Gorge, a timber lodge overlooking the river. Or for music and messy BBQ with your beer, head to Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit in Fayetteville.

By Travel Expert: Alistair Wearmouth

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