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> High Water: With two of the East's biggest rivers plowing by right outside of town, Fayetteville is a washing machine of whitewater. The New River is a classic standby, offering Class III–V rapids all spring and summer, but Gauley River season—weekends in September and October, when the Summersville Dam releases its gates to create churning Class V+ rapids—is truly something to write home about. 888-223-7238, www.aceraft.com

The Inside 5

Two-time world-champion aerial freestyle kayaker Tanya Shuman has lived in Fayetteville for four years, but her love affair with the whitewater hub started back in 1997, when she came for Gauley Fest, a yearly paddlers' bash. Here's what she does in her free time: 1. Organizes and competes in Gauley Fest, held each September. 2. Boats the New River Dries, one of the biggest play waves in the world. 3. Stocks up on climbing gear at Water Stone Outdoors. 4. Spin-casts for rainbow trout at the put-in near the dam on the Upper Gauley. 5. Paddles to the cliffs on Summersville Lake in a sit-on-top kayak.

> Roll On: North American River Runners offers two-day kayaking classes on tamer sections of the New. Beginners and intermediates practice stroke technique and learn to roll, ferry across currents, and nail tricks in Class I–III rapids. 800-950-2585, www.narr.com
> Will Ride For Views: From the town park, mountain-bike the gentle, wooded 2.8-mile Fayetteville Trail to the head of the seven-mile Cunard-Kaymoor Trail, a semi-technical spin 500 feet up along the edge of the New River Gorge. Or, for more secluded singletrack, explore the developing network of rolling, forested paths surrounding Summersville Lake. Ridge Rider Mountain Bikes, 800-890-2453
> Do the New: From one of four free National Park Service campsites set amid maples, poplars, and oaks at the bottom of the Gorge, you'll be a short drive from more than 1,400 diverse sandstone sport and traditional climbs, known simply as "the New." Take a stab at Discombobulated, a classic, exposed 5.11 with huge views. 800-732-5462, www.newriverclimbing.com

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> For a night of quiet, stake a hideout at The Woodcrest, about five miles outside Fayetteville. The sprawling five-room clapboard house, situated on 100 acres of farmland, has a hot tub and a porch with rocking chairs. Doubles from $115; 866-222-7238, www.thewoodcrest.com
> Need a caffeine wake-up call? Head to Cathedral Café, the local river runners' rendezvous. 304-574-0202, www.cathedralcafe.com
> Smokey's on the Gorge, overlooking the river, cooks up a gourmet buffet with barbecued wild boar ribs and grilled quail. 800-252-7784