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CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
When coal jobs left New River Gorge, its rapids carried on. National park status is powering its revival.
Whitewater rafting along the rapids of West Virginia's New River is fueling the revival of a region that once roared to the rhythm of coal cars. Larry Nibert, a rafting guide and descendant of coal miners, sees reminders of his family's history everywhere. "I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Three generations of us had been in the mines and I was the first one to ever step out otherwise. I was this close to going to the coal mines," Nibert said. Coal once powered the economy here, but those jobs have dwindled to a fraction of what they were as cheaper natural gas undercut demand for coal. But hope is now streaming through this part of West Virginia, centered around the New River Gorge National Park. "When the last coal mine in the Gorge closed, which was in the early 1960s, that was about the same time that we actually had the first whitewater industry come in," said Eve West, who has worked at the park since 2013. West says the turnaround started in 2020, when New River Gorge was officially designated as a national park. "It was a game changer for us. I mean, our visitation has gone up about 40% historically over a 5-year period," West said. Besides whitewater rafting, there's rock climbing, mountain biking and zip lining. It's also the only national park in the country that allows bridge base jumping, once a year. Since New River Gorge was designated a national park, local employment and visitor spending has nearly doubled, leading to an $86 million infusion to the local economy in 2023, according to the National Park Service. "I just think it shows that there is always hope. We may have to pivot, just kind of have to look at where the opportunities are," West said.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Looking for a Wisconsin spring adventure? Here are 3 whitewater rafting options
It's an activity closely associated with rivers that run through mountains in West Virginia, Colorado and other states with rugged landscapes, but Wisconsin has some surprisingly adventurous whitewater rafting stretches. It's especially true now and in the coming weeks. Spring is Wisconsin's prime whitewater rafting season. Melting snow and ice and April showers create swollen rivers and maximize bucking whitewater stretches for adventurous paddlers. Charging down these cold waters in a raft requires special equipment and skills. But outfitters that offer whitewater experiences on the Peshtigo, Wolf and Menomonee rivers say that they can help beginners safely experience the rush with cold-weather clothing consisting of wet suits, booties, splash jackets and personal flotation vests. "You're going to get wet, but the gear keeps you pretty warm," said Dan Camp, the general manager of Wildman Adventure Resort near Athelstane. "You get the adrenaline pumping, and it's nonstop fun all the way down. Then at the end, we have some hot cocoa available, and you warm right up." Camp said. Camp and other outfitters recommend wearing wool or other base-layer materials that can keep you warm when wet. "Anything but cotton," said Nick Guarniere, owner of Kosir's Whitewater Rafting. As spring runoffs ease, the paddling experience does too. In high, turbulent water conditions, outfitters use larger rafts and guides to help keep people safe. As waters lower, currents lesson and temperatures warm up, paddlers ditch cold-weather gear and take more leisurely and relaxing runs down rivers, in smaller rafts or solo inflatable kayaks. Here are three Northeast Wisconsin outfitters that offer up adventurous river rafting experiences. Kosir's Whitewater Rafting runs on the Peshtigo River in the spring. With an outpost at W14073 Marinette County C, Silver Cliff, Kosir's guides take rafters down a section of the river that boasts seven major rapids areas, with smaller riffles in between. It's a five-mile stretch, Guarniere said. The outfitter has been guiding downriver trips as a family-owned business for 50 years, Guarniere said. He purchased the business from his parents, he said, and he's been a river guide since before he was a teenager. In addition to the Peshtigo River, Kosir's offers rafting trips down the Menominee River during the summer. The outfitter also features a campground, a bar and restaurant, flatwater kayaking, tubing and more. Spring rates, running from April though the end of May are $60 per person, which includes a wetsuit and booties. Lower water summer rafting costs $40 per person. Reservations are required. For more details visit Wildman Adventure Resort, N12080 Allison Lane, Athelstane, offers guided spring whitewater raft runs on the Peshtigo. The outfitter also does Menominee River runs from its Menominee River outpost, N22200 Bomber Road, Niagara. In addition to the whitewater river excursions, Wildman offers plenty of other adventurous activities, including rock climbing, paintball and ziplining. People can stay at the resort in traditional cabins, camp or stay on one of the glamping sites which include a yurt and small rustic cabins. Standard rates for spring trips are $83, $93 on Saturdays. Summer trips are $10 less. Wetsuits, booties and splash jackets are included in the price. For more information visit Named after a rapids feature on the Wolf River and located on the Menominee Nation reservation, Shotgun Eddy was opened by John and Anna Marie Peters in 1972. The outfitter offers a variety of trips on the Wolf River. The trips vary in whitewater difficulty and length, and they range in price from $45 to $20 per person, according the outfitter's website. Helmets and wetsuits are rented for an additional fee. There is also camping on site, located at N2765 State 55, White Lake. It's a rustic campground available only to rafters and costs $10 per night per person. For more information visit Keith Uhlig has been writing about Wisconsin, its people and all it has to offer since 2000. Raised in Colby, he loves wandering around the state. He can be reached at kuhlig@ and is on Facebook, X and Threads. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Three Wisconsin whitewater rafting guides offer spring adventure
