Posts Tagged ‘boating in wv’

Why Southern WV is the Best Place For Your Family Reunion

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Families, no matter where they are from, are diverse. There are older members, younger members, wild members, calm members, go-getters, and slow-movers.  It is this diversity that makes families fun and unique.

But diversity can also present a challenge when trying to organize a family get-together. All kinds of

Family Time in WV

people can make it hard to find activities to satisfy everyone.

So when it comes to things to do, Southern WV is hard to beat. Whether you’re into high-adventure sports or relaxing leisure activities, this area provides great opportunities for all.
Let’s look at how the diversity of this area makes it a great place for a family reunion.

Getting The Family Together

Depending on the size and make-up of your group, getting everyone together can often be tough. Southern West Virginia has many large campgrounds and cabin rentals.  If some of the family likes to camp and others don’t, many of the cabins are extremely close to campgrounds. There  are also many hotels in the area.

Some of the adventure resorts in the area even have both campgrounds and cabins located on their property. Keeping the group together and everyone comfortable is an easy task if you let the resort professionals help you through the process.

Keep The Family Entertained

Even if Aunt Barb thinks everyone in the family would love a group outing to look at the world’s biggest rubberband ball, chances are you’re never going to get everyone in a large group to do everything together.  So having a plethora of things to do makes it much easier to keep everyone entertained. Here’s a list of just some of the activities families can do (together or on their own) in southern West Virginia.

* Rafting
* Hiking
* Mountain Biking
* Rock Climbing
* Fishing
* ATV riding
* Zip lining
* Swimming
* Boating
* Horseback Riding
* Caving
* Paintball
* Golf
* Antiquing

(And no, the world’s largest rubberband ball is not here in southern WV.  But we do have the longest steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere.)

Look To Resorts for Convenience

One of the best options to consider is a package that includes lodging, activities, and meals.  Many area resorts are now packaging all of these options together to make planning easy.  Some even provide discounts depending on group numbers and length of stay.

So when you start planning your family reunion, remember southern West Virginia. You’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.

When was your last WV reunion?

Beyond the Bridge – 14 Must-Try West Virginia Adventures

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Since the New River Gorge Bridge was completed in 1977, it has been a marvel admired by millions.  1977 was a time even before whitewater rafting was a  popular tourism

Ranger Led Hike - Enjoying the View

activity.  The completion of the Bridge was a very significant step in the progress of southern West Virginia becoming a substantial outdoor vacation destination.

The present day New River Gorge area is abundant with a multitude of outdoor activities to keep the adventurous (and even the not so adventurous) vacationer busy.  Even if you’ve vacationed in this area for years, you may be surprised to find new activities popping up all the time.  Below is a list of adventures that can be enjoyed all within a 20 minute drive of the New River Gorge Bridge.

  •   Whitewater Rafting- Some rafting companies offer packages that include many other adventures.
  •   Canoeing and Kayaking- Our rivers have sections that will allow the most novice or expert paddler to enjoy themselves.
  •    Rock Climbing- Either on your own or a guided tour, this area offers climbing for any level of experience.
  •    Mountain Biking- Trails from beginner to advanced, the Gorge will test the mettle of even the best bikers.  Lots of outfitters even offer bike rentals.
  •   Hiking- There are trails for all ages and fitness levels.
  •   ATV Riding- We have some of the most beautiful riding scenery you’ll find anywhere in the United States
  •   Horseback Rides- A wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of the Gorge.
  •   Heritage Tourism - There are a multitude of historical areas to explore in southern West Virginia.
  •   Fishing- From floating the rivers to boating the lakes, the area fishing spots won’t disappoint.
  •   Boating- There are lots of beautiful lakes to enjoy here.
  •   Zip lines- They’ve popped up everywhere in the Gorge; you’ve gotta give zip lining a try.
  •   Camping – From state parks to private campgrounds, you can find an area that best fits your camping style
  •   Skydiving- Get a birds-eye view of the Gorge while trying not to scream.
  •   Bi-plane rides- See the description above.

While many of these activities can be done on your own,  most can also be arranged with a guide.  Many companies are activity specific and specialize in making sure their guests have an enjoyable, safe experience.

So what are you going to try?

Our Favorite Places to Spend Dad’s Day

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Fishing in Southern WV

Father’s Day (June 19th!) is coming up and we’re considering getting Dad more than just another tie. (He never wore it anyway.)

This year – we’ve asked Dads to select their top picks of where they would like to spend their day in Southern WV. While almost all of them said they’d like to have a great meal, it was after they mentioned they’d like to do something fun with the family.

Top Dads’ picks include:

Summersville Lake. Most Dads we talked to would like to get outside more and the a great place to get outside is  Summersville Lake.  Rent a boat, sit in the sand, or just take a hike around the exterior …these are all things that make active Dads happy.

The golf course. OK so a lot of us don’t golf – but to a lot of Dads this would be a great place to spend their Sunday.  Offer to take him out on the course for the day or if you don’t golf you can ride along on the cart at one of our great golf courses where Dad can do something he really loves.

Ziplining. Whether they’ve tried it before or they’d like to – Dads love this idea.  Consider a canopy tour or a zipping speed ride and bring the kids along. It can be a really fun family outing.

Fishing. Dads that we talked to love to fish but never really find the time to do it.  Consider parking yourself along a lake or river for some great bank fishing or hook up with one of our great outfitters and hit the water with your #1 guy.

This year, we hope you’ll consider treating Dad (or Granddad) to something he’ll love; a place that can create memories that last a lot longer than a tie or shirt.

The Long Weekend

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend can sometimes be a blur – filled with yard work, catching up on laundry, and lots of other mundane tasks. Then come Tuesday, we’re all at work wishing we had something better to talk about around the water cooler.

Lakes & Pools will Open Memorial Day Weekend

This year, don’t let the question, “What did you do this weekend?”, scare you.  There are lots of things happening to tempt us to truly take the weekend off.  From concerts to street parties, car shows to pool openings, don’t miss having a weekend of Southern WV fun.

WV Dandelion Festival

May 26-29

White Sulphur Springs, WV

The town of White Sulphur celebrates the tenacious dandelion during their annual spring festival May 26-29.  Join in the fun with fun factory kids activities, a fishing derby, a car show, and streets full of crafts, food and more!

Parrot Palooza

May 27-29

Beckley WV

Live music will fill Beckley’s city streets for this third annual event, to benefit the United Way. More than 10 bands are on tap for the event this year, in addition to hot dog eating contests, a race, and more.

Cole Chevy Mountain Festival

May 25-31

Bluefield, WV

From lumberjack and dog shows to carnivals, tournaments to pageantry, Bluefield hosts the area’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend festival with an entire week of activities.

What’s on your agenda?

The Top 50 Reasons To Go White Water Rafting In West Virginia

Monday, July 12th, 2010

1.    It’s hot outside.
2.    Rafting is the summer tradition in West Virginia (if you make it one).

New River Rafting

3.    Guides are ridiculously funny.
4.    White water brings people closer together.
5.    There’s no better way to see a gorge than from the river.
6.    Rapids are like roller coasters, but wetter.
7.    It’s really hot outside.
8.    You get great pictures of yourself doing something awesome.
9.    You’ll make memories.
10.     Butterflies in your stomach and a smile on your face.
11.     Amazing scenery.
12.     White water is the best way in the world to get back in touch with nature.
13.     Sometimes you watch the show, and sometimes you are the show.
14.     You can’t really wear the T-shirt unless you’ve been down the river.
15.     Amazing riverside lunch.
16.     Learning to surf West Virginia style (they really do surf rafts).
17.     It’s really incredibly hot outside.
18.     Swimming in the pools in between rapids.
19.     Paddling through the rapids in between pools.
20.     Getting smacked in the face with a wave is the river’s way of saying hi.
21.     You can push family members out of the raft.
22.     The family section of the New River (the Upper New) is perfect for kids.

Family Duckie Trip on Upper New River

23.     It’s also perfect for scaredy-cats.
24.     Summer rafting on the Gauley River is a sure fire way to have the whole place to yourselves.
25.     It’s really incredibly, insanely hot outside.
26.     Rafting is like being on a lake; a very narrow lake with huge waves.
27.     If you fall out of the raft, you’ll have a story to tell forever.
28.     If you stay in the raft, you’ll have a story to tell forever.
29.     Dinner tastes better after a rafting trip.
30.     You’ll meet people who are just as much fun as you are.
31.     Rafting leads to other stuff, like ATV rides, bike trips, and canopy tours.
32.     It will become an addiction (a good one).
33.     Rapids with names like “Scramble Like A Rat” and “Lost Paddle”.
34.     Your bus driver will be the most interesting person you meet all year.
35.     It’s really incredibly, insanely, ridiculously hot outside.
36.     You can show off that back flip at Jump Rock.
37.     It’s a scientific fact that there is no better way to make kids go to bed early than a day of white water rafting.
38.     You can show off those new river shorts/bathing suit.
39.     You’ll laugh harder than you have in a long, long time.
40.     Rapids on white water rivers make you feel alive.
41.     You can see deer, bald eagles, fish, and all kinds of other cool wildlife.
42.     It’s a great place to re-learn what poison ivy looks like and how to avoid it.
43.     Rafting lets you learn about the natural world and have fun at the same time.
44.     White water rivers are great places to challenge yourself.
45.     There’s no feeling on earth like paddling off the lip of a horizon line into a rapid.
46.     Rafting makes your vacation time really count.
47.     Your kids will think you’re the coolest person in the world (for a while).
48.     Best. Vacation. Ever.
49. It’s really, incredibly, insanely, ridiculously, stupendously hot outside.
50.     White water rafting is the best way in the universe to cool off.

5 Best Lakes In Southern West Virginia

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Lake Stephens Marina

Lake Stephens Marina

Ok, maybe not the best.  We should say 5 of  the best lakes in southern West Virginia.  Here are the ones we chose…

Bluestone Lake
Bluestone is probably one of the most well known lakes in the entire Mountain State.  Easy to get to from I-77 or I-64, Bluestone has boating, fishing, camping, and all the other stuff you’d look for in a lake vacation.  Start at Hinton, one of the most historic of America’s railroad towns (and don’t forget to get a hotdog at the Dairy Queen).

Summersville Lake
Right above the world famous Gauley River is the pristine  Summersville Lake.  Sometimes called the “Little Bahamas of the East” by divers, Summersville is probably the best place on the list to chill out a little.  There’s a nice beach there, too, if you’ve got the desire to hit the water, but don’t have a boat.

Lake Stephens
If you’re close to Beckley and looking to add a little play to your work, do not miss an opportunity to go to Lake Stephens.  It’s only nine miles away, and sits right in the middle of almost 2000 acres of hardwood forest.  Lake Stephens is the site of several fishing tournaments throughout the season- and there’s a good reason for that.

RD Bailey Lake
On the good side of the West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia tri-state, RD Bailey Lake is a beautiful mountain reservoir next to the town of Justice, WV.  Right on the Guyandotte river, RD Bailey is remote and folded within the steep mountains of Wyoming County.  If you’re wanting to really get away, game on.

Plum Orchard Lake
It’s actually Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Area, but what it can really be described as is secret.  Most people bypass Plum Orchard Lake on the West Virginia Turnpike, missing this small gem just outside of Scarbro.  There are three boat launches for easy access, and you’ll find plenty of room out on the water, too.

Well, those are our picks.  What are yours?