Greenbrier River, River in southeastern West Virginia, United States.
The Greenbrier River is a river in southern West Virginia that winds through forested mountain valleys before joining the New River. It passes through several counties and remains undammed along most of its course.
European settlers began moving into the Greenbrier valley in the early 1700s, using the river as a natural corridor through the Appalachian mountains. A railway line later followed the river, linking isolated valleys to the rest of the state.
Along the Greenbrier River, an old rail corridor has been turned into a trail that connects small communities along the banks. Walking or cycling it gives a sense of how closely daily life in this part of West Virginia has always been tied to the water.
The river is accessible for paddling at several points, with spring offering higher water and summer generally providing calmer stretches. Checking water levels ahead of your visit and identifying put-in spots along the banks will help you plan a safe outing.
The Greenbrier River is one of the longest rivers in the eastern United States that flows without any dams along its length. This uninterrupted flow has allowed rare freshwater mussel species to survive in its waters, species that have disappeared from most other rivers in the region.
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