5 Little Known Canyons That Will Show You A Side Of West Virginia You’ve Never Seen Before
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Geoff Foster
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The largest canyons in America, Grand Canyon chief among them, are probably the most well known, but West Virginia has its canyons, too. Five of them, to be exact.
New River Gorge is a 53 mile canyon carved out by the New River in southern West Virginia. It is a popular spot for whitewater rafting and rock climbing. Its most prominent structure is the New River Gorge Bridge, a 3,030 foot vehicular steel arch bridge set 876 feet above the canyon floor.
Smoke Hole is a 20 mile long canyon created by the South Branch of the Potomac River in eastern WV. Several parts of the canyon are fairly isolated with some portions only accessible by foot or boat.
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The Trough is another canyon carved by the south branch of the Potomac River. The canyon is flanked by steep, wooded hills that make approach impossible on either side. The only way to access The Trough is by boat or a foot trail at the base of Mill Creek Mountain.
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This long canyon, carved by the Blackwater River, is best viewed from Lindy Point, a popular overlook in Blackwater Falls State Park. It is 1,000 feet deep and eight miles long.
Created by the Cheat River, this canyon stretches southeast from Cheat Lake to the small town of Albright. The river is popular for whitewater rafting, kayaking and the Cheat River Race. Its most turbulent rafting spots are known as Big Nasty, Upper Coliseum and High Falls.
Have you ever seen these spectacular canyons in person? Leave a comment below and tell us about the ones you have visited.
To learn more about West Virginia, check out these beautiful places you must visit ASAP.
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