Flat Water Paddling in West Virginia, WV

Great for paddlers or families looking for some peace and quiet, Bluestone Lake is calm with low traffic. There is a significant bald eagle population that lives nearby, too, so be on the lookout!

The calm waters and scenic backdrop at Hawks Nest Lake are perfect for beginner paddlers, families, and folks looking for a relaxing afternoon on the water.

Boley Lake at Babcock State Park is perfect for a leisurely paddle, but there’s also an experts-only 5.5-mile creek that goes right to the New River, if you want a challenge.

Like the lazy river water ride at an amusement park, the Cacapon River is perfect for paddlers looking for a relaxing float downstream.

Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)— you can do it all on Summersville Lake.

Charles Fork Lake is a perfect entry-level, leisurely paddling experience for beginners, families, and leisurely paddlers. Pretty good if you’re an angler looking to snag yourself a walleye, too!

With a maximum Class II difficulty level, trips along the Coal River are smooth and leisurely rides through scenic, historic, and rural WV.

Mount Storm Lake is a popular recreation destination perfect for beginner paddlers and groups.

The Upper Cheat River Water Trail is northern West Virginia's aquatic playground.

The Ohi0/Little Kanawha rivers are historically commercial waterways, but paddlers enjoy hugging the shoreline and exploring the small historic islands and towns along the way.

West Virginia’s first water trail for recreational boaters, follows along the upper 65 miles of the Monongahela River from Fairmont, WV to Rices Landing in PA. You’ll pass through many communities and through several historic locks and dams over the trail.