Cheat River Outfitters

Cheat River Outfitters is a family-owned whitewater rafting operation based in Albright, Preston County, West Virginia. They've been running guided trips on the Cheat River since opening, making them one of the longest-operating outfitters in the region. The location matters: they're less than 3.5 hours from Washington DC, 2 hours from Pittsburgh, and 45 minutes from Morgantown—close enough for weekend trips from major metro areas.

They operate on two distinct sections of the Cheat River:

Cheat Canyon — The main event for serious paddlers. This is a 13-mile Class V whitewater run that only flows in spring (April through early June) when water levels are high enough. The canyon features over 30 Class III, IV, and V rapids packed into an undammed wilderness gorge. This is World Class whitewater, comparable in difficulty to the Gauley River but less crowded and more scenic. Minimum age is 14+.

Cheat Narrows — A 7-mile Class II-III section that runs both spring and summer: - Spring Narrows (April-May): Higher water, more exciting, features rapids like Rocking Horse, Calamity, and Wind. Minimum age 10+. Includes "Jump Rock" stops for swimming when water permits. - Summer Narrows (June-October): Lower water, gentler pace, ideal for families. Minimum age 7+. Crystal clear water, emphasis on splashing and fun over technical paddling.

All trips are fully guided with experienced guides in the raft. They include: - All paddling equipment (PFDs, paddles, helmets) - Cold drinks after the trip - Shuttle service to/from the river - Guide instruction and safety briefing - Wetsuits available for rental (usually needed for spring trips)

They match boat size to water level:

Spring Narrows (April-Memorial Day): - Age 14+: Standard rate - Ages 10-13: Youth rate - Trips at 9am and 2pm - All prices don't include taxes or $0.35 per head WV DNR fee

Summer Narrows (June-October): - Age 14+: Standard rate - Ages 7-13: Youth rate - Trips at 10am and 3pm - All prices don't include taxes or $0.35 per head WV DNR fee

Reservations are recommended, especially for spring (March-June) when dates fill quickly. Last-minute spots often available in summer. They accept online booking, credit card payments, checks, or money orders. For groups of 15+, they offer group discounts and special pricing for scouts, churches, camps, and service organizations (including free primitive camping).

Small groups can combine with others to meet minimums (6 people minimum for spring weekends). For larger groups, they set up dedicated reservation pages where each member pays separately and receives their own confirmation and waiver. No minimum group size required on most summer dates.

Pro tip from their site: GPS and Google Maps sometimes direct people on wild routes through rural WV backroads. Download their printed directions sheet before traveling, especially if coming from the East on I-68. You're only one turn off the interstate.