February 5, 2019

New River Gorge Family Vacation

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Remember the excitement of your first camping trip? Roasting marshmallows by the fire, telling ghost stories, and connecting the stars together to form constellations as you lay in the cool grass, soaking in the night air? Perhaps this camping trip was with your friends, your scout troop, or your family. At ACE, we love to give families these moments and provide a different kind of vacation, one full of adventure and memories that will last a lifetime. Whether camping is your thing, or if staying in a cabin is more your speed, ACE is the ideal getaway for your family.

What’s in a New River Gorge Family Vacation

At our 1,500 acre resort, your family can unplug and spend time with each other in the outdoors doing both high and low adventure activities. Enjoy Wonderland Waterpark, our 5-acre spring-fed lake that is unlike any waterpark you’ve ever seen. Relax on the sandy beach, or take on the inflatable obstacles (or do both!). Take a break from the lake and enjoy Woody’s award-winning woodfired pizza, grab a slushie (adult or children’s version), and watch the action on the lake before you head back out. And, new for 2019, we have something big coming for the littles in your family.

Rafting for Different Ages

Eager to get the family out on the river? Families with kiddos as young as 6 can take on the Upper New River, a fun and splashy adventure perfect for first-time rafters. This full-day trip includes a riverside lunch and lots of time to get out of the raft and swim. For families with children over the age of 12, the iconic Lower New River trip through the New River Gorge is a challenge that everybody will be talking about for years to come. Available as a full-day trip with lunch, or a half-day, this trip ends underneath the picturesque New River Gorge Bridge.

Beginner Rock Climbing

Back on ACE’s property, your family can try their hand (and feet) at rock climbing. Our on-site cliffs are a great place for beginners or climbers who are transitioning from the gym to learn more about the sport. Or, for groups hoping to climb in the heart of the New River Gorge, we offer full day trips to some of the greatest rock climbing areas in the nation.

Hike & Bike Exploration

Explore ACE on foot on one of our many hiking trails. Grab a trail map from the Welcome Center, and check out our forests, waterfalls, and gorge views. With easy, moderate, and challenging trails available, there is something for everyone on the trails at ACE. Or, rent a bike (or book a guided biking trip), and see ACE on wheels! Venture out on the trails close to ACE within the New River Gorge and watch the trains roll through Thurmond (be careful to stay off the tracks, trains come through regularly!). Ghost towns can be seen along many of the trails in the New River Gorge, a memory of the booming mining days in the area. Interested in experiencing the paranormal with ACE after dark? Visit us on July 13th or September 21st for a ghost hunt through the sleepy town of Thurmond.