It is about that time… The temperature is rising and my Nana is going to break out the lemonade any day now! Summer is quickly approaching and the heat is going to be intense. So grab your swim-suit, some shades, and prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime doing any of these absolutely unforgettable water sports in West Virginia!

Even though West Virginia is completely land-locked, we still have plenty of water activities!
Alaina McDavid Flickr
West Virginia has tons of areas to go boating! The state also has wonderful, huge lakes that you can boat on and fish on.
Random Michelle Flickr
West Virginia is also quite popular to canoe, kayak, and water ski on!
Every fall, the Gauley River is fed by water being released from the Summersville Dam, which calls for the most intense white-water rafting experience that you can find East of the Mississippi River!
Leo Suarez Flickr
Hawks Nest State Park has an aerial tramway that will take you to the New River where you can ride on a jet boat!
laserbub Flickr
The jet boat will take you on a stunning 6-mile ride down the New River to the New River Gorge Bridge. Obviously, the jet boat is not pictured above. But I just loved this action shot of rafting that is about to turn into swimming.
The Tygart River is home to Wells Falls, which is considered to be the most powerful drop in the Monongahela River.
ben loehrke Flickr
The Cheat River has more than 30 rapids all ranging from Class III to IV.
J. Justin Flickr
When I was much younger, my Mama signed me up for Girl Scouts and I absolutely loved it! I learned how to canoe and kayak right here in West Virginia. Those are life experiences that I will never forget, it was so much fun!
The Potomac River is another easier river and is absolutely wonderful to grab a water tube and just relax on!
J. Justin Flickr
Pictured above is another shot of the Cheat River in the fall. Isn't it just stunning?!
Many of West Virginia's water sources are perfect for float fishing, like the Greenbrier River and the New River.
Aonghas Tree Flickr
The Tygart is a 10-mile long river that has some amazing rapids ranging from Class I to V.
Quentin Glorieux Flickr
Pictured above is the some rapids along the Blackwater River.
The Shenandoah River has much lighter and easier rapids which makes it a great beginner rafting river.
rickyrodva Flickr
The Gauley River is referred to as "The Beast of the East."
Keelan Jones Flickr
The New River is also a really popular river to raft on as it drops 240 feet over a 14-mile stretch.
Kate Webster Flickr
The Upper New has amazing spots for fishing, while the Lower New runs rights under the famous New River Gorge Bridge, which is one of the highest vehicular bridges in America.
Kate Webster Flickr
The rapids in the New River range from Class I to V, so it definitely isn't for beginners!
Kate Webster Flickr

You could probably find me on a water tube somewhere on a calm, relaxing river! Or maybe a boat, catching some sun-rays!

I do love to swim, too. Growing up, my girlfriends and I would all pile on a boat and go swimming in one of West Virginia’s many stunning rivers or lakes.

Which river or lake will you be on in West Virginia this summer? Comment below!

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