Located about four hours south of Pittsburgh, the beautiful New River Gorge National River area is a popular haven for nature and adventure lovers around the world. The craggy, 1,000-foot-deep, mile-wide gorge carved out by the New River (ironically named, since it is actually the oldest river in the U.S.) offers a plethora of outdoor activities and adventures.

Whitewater rafting, of course, is king here, with everything from family float trips on the upper New Rive, to exciting Class III to Class V big water on the Lower New Gorge available. Some of the best rock climbing routes in the East attract climbers from all over, with several outfitters offering classes in climbing and rappelling for the novice. If you like to explore, then the New River Gorge is also an excellent place to try your hand at geocaching; there are a bevy of cool caches hidden all over the Gorge. And then there's the cliff-top canopy tour by Ace Adventure Center, where you get to soar 50 feet above the forest floor on a series of zip lines linked by tree platforms and cliff tops. Plus, all of the usual outdoor adventures - fishing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, etc. Why not see for yourself why the New River Gorge is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East"? It's a great place for a weekend escape.