Last year, after my mom came back from Ace Adventure Resort, she was raving about the place.  She advised me that I needed to update this page and give Ace its credit with a better post, listing everything there is to do there.  So here we are.  Hope you enjoy!

Located on 1,500 wooded acres adjacent to the New River Gorge National River, Ace Adventure Resort offers a ton of Outdoor Activities all in one place.  I mean seriously.  My hands are going to hurt from typing after writing out everything there is to do.

Water Based Adventures

West Virginia is known for some of the best white water on the east coast.  It’s only appropriate that we start here first.

White Water Rafting

The two most infamous rivers in the state are the Gauley and the New River.  Merging together at Gauley Bridge to form the Kanawha River, they make up the epicenter of white water in the southern part of the state.

Ace offers guided tours on both rivers ranging from half day trips to multiday trips.  On some of the multiday trips, instead of driving back to the resort for the night, you’ll be camping under the stars with all meals (and coffee) covered for you. 

This trip won’t be just rafting though.  You’ll get to high dive off of boulders, “surf” the rapids, and swim around the rapids whenever it’s convenient.  If you’re really “lucky”, you’ll be swimming in the rapids when your raft tips over. 

I still have the image of my football coach burned in my memory of being upside down, in the air, while being thrown from the raft.  Still makes me smile.

White Water Kayaking

If you’d rather be alone in your boat instead of relying on other people to “Get Down” so you don’t get thrown, then you should really try Kayaking instead.  Choose from some of the higher class levels of water or a more relaxing run down the lower Gauley.

Touring Kayaking or Flatwater Kayaking

Spend the day touring Summerville Lake without the worry of any rapids.  The lake is a reservoir that is fed by and sits in the middle of Gauley River.  If you’ve never kayaked before, this will be perfect for you.  Many of Ace’s trips are specifically designed to teach you the basics of maneuvering on the water.

Paddle Boarding

If flatwater kayaking isn’t relaxing enough for you, try paddling around Summerville Lake on what is essentially a very large surf board.  I’ve yet to try this activity yet, but a friend swears by it to get him away from the world to relax.

Wonderland Water Park

This is definitely for the kids or the kid inside all of us.  5 acres of water packed fun.  The lake includes inflatable mountains, a zip line, the BLOB launcher, a 200 foot waterslide, trampolines, and as many inflatables as you can shake a stick at.

Land (and air) Based Adventures

If you’d prefer to stay dry during your visit, Ace Adventure Resort has even more to do off the water than on.

Zip lining

It wouldn’t be a trip to WV without hitting up at least one of our many zip lines in the state.  Ace has a total of 9 zip lines ranging from 150-750 feet long with speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

Choose between hitting up these zip lines during the day or night.  A lot of people enjoy the adventure of hiking through the darkness and jumping from a platform without a view of the ground.  I on the other hand like to enjoy the beautiful view of WV while I’m flying through the air.

Rock Climbing and Rappelling

If rock climbing is really your thing, you need to visit Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.  If you just want to experience it while you’re at Ace, well then there’s no better time than now to learn. 

Choose from a half day beginner course where you’ll learn to rappel and climb various routes.  Or if you’re a little more experienced, choose a course consisting of more advanced crags in the area.

Guided Hiking

There’s nothing that says you need a guide to go hiking.  If you’d like to see the best sights and learn a little history along the way, then Ace has you covered.  There’s quite a few waterfalls in the area.  Get a map or let a guide lead you there.

Do note that WV’s terrain can be a little unforgiving to people that aren’t used to our hills.  Make sure to bring plenty of power bars and water.

Mud Obstacle Course

If you’re missing the military style obstacle course of your youth or you’d just like to get muddy like a pig then this is for you.  I have seen enough mud in my life but I can’t get enough of obstacle courses.  Challenge your spouse or friends to see who can finish first!

Paintball Course

If your score still isn’t settled with your spouse or friends. Head on over to the paintball course where you’ll duke it out for a few hours in the bunkers. 

If you’ve never done this before, make sure you wear long sleeves.  They hurt a little bit, but the pain is well worth it for the fun.

Mountain Biking

What’s visiting the mountain state without mountain biking?  Ace sits on 1,500 acres with plenty of trails to take on.  Choose from beginner trails or tougher trails for the more advanced riders.  If you’re looking for the best mountain biking that WV has to offer, checkout Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s Bike Park.

ATV Tours

If you want to mix a little mud with something a little faster than a bike, then look no further than jumping on an ATV.  Ace partners with New River ATV Tours to off 100 miles of trails for riders of any level. 

With an ATV and a little time, there’s not a place in the New River Gorge that you won’t be able to reach.

Bridge Walk

Well that title just sounds exhilarating doesn’t it?  Well it actually is.  Until 2001 the New River Gorge Bridge was the longest arch bridge in the world and the highest road bridge.  It stretches 3,030 feet at a height of 876 feet above the river connecting two mountains. 

You my good reader, can climb up inside the shafts of the bridge to a height close to the Eiffel Tower and star down at the wondrous gorge.

Wonderland Disc Golf

Ace Adventure Resort management just like Snowshoe Mountain management need to learn that it’s called Frisbee Golf and should be played with caddies carrying a case of beer.

Lodging at Ace Adventure Resort

While I would love to list all of the lodging options available at Ace Adventure Resort.  The truth is, there’s just too many and I haven’t stayed in any of them.  Until now, I’ve always lived close enough to make day trips.  Still waiting on that invite Ace Adventure Resort management…. 

They have over 20 different lodging options ranging from tents to 14 person cabins.  It’s better if I just drop a link here.

If the above activities still hasn’t convinced you that Snowshoe is the place that you need to be, maybe the below will help.