Paddling near Fayetteville, WV

Fayetteville sits at the heart of the New River Gorge in Fayette County, West Virginia, putting paddlers within reach of some of the most varied water in the eastern United States. The lower New River runs through the national park with powerful whitewater, while Summersville Lake — the largest lake in West Virginia — draws kayakers and SUP paddlers to its clear, cliff-lined flatwater. The Gauley River adds more whitewater options nearby, and calmer spots like the Dries at Cotton Hill and Fayette Station beach round out the local scene for paddlers of all skill levels.