Cheat Canyon whitewater (Albright to Jenkinsburg Bridge)
Cheat Canyon Wildlife Management Area is a state-managed area of about 3,836 acres in Preston County, West Virginia, centered on the Cheat River canyon northwest of Albright. The Jenkinsburg Bridge stretch of the river is used by whitewater paddlers, and the attraction record describes it as a class III-IV run of about 11 miles with free public access. The one thing to know: the sources read do not give a current river level or a flow window for rafting, so check the level before you go.
Should you go to Cheat Canyon whitewater (Albright to Jenkinsburg Bridge) today?
Good day to go
- Light wind, up to 2 mph.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Tue 20Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 2 mph
- Thu 22Light wind, up to 3 mph
- Fri 23Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Sat 24Light wind, up to 5 mph
Weather at Cheat Canyon whitewater (Albright to Jenkinsburg Bridge), today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 am | Patchy Fog | 36°F | 0 mph | 0% |
| 10 am | Sunny | 52°F | 0 mph | 0% |
| 12 pm | Sunny | 61°F | N 1 mph | 0% |
| 2 pm | Sunny | 65°F | N 2 mph | 0% |
| 4 pm | Sunny | 64°F | N 2 mph | 0% |
| 6 pm | Clear | 58°F | N 2 mph | 0% |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 7:32 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:34 pm |
| Question visitors ask | What is the Cheat River level at Albright and can I raft the canyon? |
|---|---|
| County | Preston County |
| Official site | cheat.org |
How do you get to Cheat Canyon WMA and where do you park?
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) lists two ways in: off state Route 26 along county Route 26/23, and from Mt. Nebo via county Route 14/4.
The Preston County Parks and Recreation page says parking and access for Cheat Canyon WMA are north of Albright. The Friends of the Cheat campground outside Albright also has Cheat River access points for commercial and private use.
Is there an admission fee, and what are the hours and season?
The attraction record lists entry to Cheat Canyon WMA as free public access. The Friends of the Cheat page describes the watershed as a recreation area with paddling, hiking, biking and fishing, and says the group works to provide access to it.
The sources read do not list opening hours. The attraction record notes that the paddling season depends on river flow and was not checked against an official source. Check before you go.
What rules apply on Cheat Canyon WMA?
WVDNR states that camping is not permitted on the wildlife management area. Its fishing notes say access to the Cheat River within the WMA is limited, and the main game fish listed is smallmouth bass. The page links to a license purchase, but the sources read do not state license rules.
The sources read do not cover rules on pets, alcohol, glass containers or boating. Check the WVDNR rules before you go.
When is the best time to go?
The attraction record says the paddling window depends on the river's flow, and no river level at Albright was read. The current level has to be checked before any trip, because the sources give no flow range for rafting.
The Jenkinsburg tract, near the high bridge, is also used for swimming in the Cheat River and Big Sandy Creek, including an area called Blue Hole. The sources read do not give swimming seasons or hunting dates. Check before you go.
Cheat Canyon whitewater (Albright to Jenkinsburg Bridge): questions visitors ask
What is the Cheat River level at Albright and can I raft the canyon?
The sources read do not report a current river level at Albright, so no level is stated here. The attraction record describes the Jenkinsburg Bridge stretch as class III-IV whitewater over about 11 miles, but the sources give no flow window for rafting; check the level before you go.
Is there camping at Cheat Canyon WMA?
No. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources states that camping is not permitted on Cheat Canyon WMA. The Friends of the Cheat campground outside Albright is a separate site.
Is access to Cheat Canyon free?
The attraction record lists entry as free public access. The sources read do not mention fees for parking or river access at the Friends of the Cheat campground.
Where is the high bridge and Blue Hole near Jenkinsburg?
The Jenkinsburg tract near Albright is known for its high bridge and swimming areas along the Cheat River and Big Sandy Creek, including one called Blue Hole. The Preston County Parks and Recreation page describes it as popular with WVU students, locals, whitewater paddlers, hunters and hikers.
Can I fish in the Cheat River at Cheat Canyon WMA?
WVDNR lists smallmouth bass as the game fish for the Cheat River in the WMA and notes that river access is limited. The page links to a license purchase, but the sources read do not state the fishing rules or license requirements.
When was Cheat Canyon WMA established?
Cheat Canyon WMA was purchased in 2014 for over $7 million and dedicated by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin on September 12, 2014, according to Wikipedia. The article cites a WVDNR release from October 9, 2014.
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