New River Gorge is America’s newest national park. Nestled in rural West Virginia, the park protects the deepest gorge in the Appalachian Mountains, carved by its namesake New River. This river winds through the park for over 50 miles, surrounded by huge sandstone cliffs, defunct coal mining towns, and expansive forests. Its centerpiece – the New River Gorge Bridge – towers at 876 feet above the New River.
To me, New River Gorge is one of the most underrated national parks. Nature enthusiasts often overlook the park in favor of nearby Shenandoah or Great Smoky Mountains. Its lack of mountains makes it less appealing to hardcore hikers, and photos don’t do justice to the gorge’s massive scale. I had low expectations when I first visited New River Gorge in 2023, but my experience there quickly changed my opinion of the park. After the trip, I decided it was one of my favorites.
The best thing about New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is its diverse slate of things to do. The park features some of the best rock climbing and whitewater rafting in the country, and its unique landscape and defunct mining towns host several unforgettable hikes.
Read on to see my personal list of the best things to do at New River Gorge. I’ll also talk about lodging, the best times of year to visit, how to navigate the park, and tips for a successful trip.
Plan your trip to New River Gorge National Park
1. Raft on the New River
A trip to New River Gorge National Park & Preserve wouldn’t be complete without a whitewater rafting trip. The New River sports rapids of all shapes, sizes and difficulties… anything from Class I to Class V. Local whitewater outfitters offer trips ranging from short half-day jaunts to long overnight adventures. And – with beautiful scenery and the occasional freight train rumbling by – it’s an experience that you won’t soon forget.
The Gauley River – north of the park – is another river providing memorable rafting excursions. Every fall, the Summersville Dam performs controlled releases of water from its reservoir, creating turbulent Class V+ rapids that attract whitewater enthusiasts from around the country. Most outfitters that guide trips on the New River also offer trips on the Gauley.
Check out the video below for some sweet rafting footage and other highlights from my first trip to New River gorge:
If you’re looking to raft, here are a few local outfitters that offer guided trips:
- ACE Adventure Resort
- Adventures on the Gorge
- Alpine Ministries
- Cantrell Ultimate Rafting
- New and Gauley River Adventures
- River Expeditions
- West Virginia Adventures
Note: For navigational purposes, the New River is split into “lower” and “upper” sections. Since the river flows south to north, the “lower” New River is the northern section, and “upper” New River is the southern section. The upper New River is calmer, ideal for families looking for a relaxing float down the river. The lower New River features lots of Class IV & V rapids and – notably – passes underneath the New River Gorge Bridge.
2. Go Rock Climbing
The sandstone bluffs carved by the New River are home to some of the best rock climbing in the country. Hundreds of sport & trad climbing routes fill these bluffs, making the park a destination for climbers. Collections of boulders dot the park, too, making it a a good spot for bouldering.
Rock climbs in New River Gorge are graded using the Yosemite Decimal System, and are primarily single-pitch routes. The routes in the park average on the difficult side, catering to stronger, more advanced climbers. Still, the park contains plenty of beginner-level routes, making it a great (and scenic!) place to learn the ropes if it’s your first time.
Climbing culture is a large part of New River Gorge, having contributed to much of the tourism infrastructure and driven demand for restaurants and privately-owned campgrounds.
The following guidebooks are essential if you want to climb in New River Gorge:
- New River Rock, Vol 1 – for roped climbing in the national park
- New River Rock, Vol 2 – for roped climbing at Summersville Lake & along the Gauley
- New River Gorge Bouldering – for details on bouldering in and around the park
You can also visit Mountain Project to find some free guidance to climbing in the park.
Deep Water Soloing: Not for the Faint-Hearted
In addition to the standard forms of rock climbing in the park, Summersville Lake – near the park – offers a very different form of climbing: deep water soloing. In the summer, when the reservoir is full, climbers can swim or kayak to bluffs along the lake and climb routes without ropes. When they fall, they simply land in the deep waters of the reservoir. This form of climbing is inherently more dangerous than roped climbing and hovers in a legal “gray area” regarding illegal cliff-jumping. Those engaging in this activity should exercise extra caution.
3. Explore the Nuttallburg Coal Mining Facility
Surely, old abandoned mining structures would be off-limits to visitors, right? Wrong.
West Virginia was once home to a booming coal economy. Even today, the state’s economy is primarily driven by the coal industry. The state is therefore home to countless mining towns, most of which are now defunct and in ruins. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve protects over 50 of these abandoned towns, and many of them are easy to access via hiking trails and roads. They are an important part of the park’s rich history, and the National Park Service therefore allows visitors to explore them.
Nuttallburg is the most impressive former mining facility in the park. Its centerpiece is a 1,400-foot-long coal conveyor that extends from the riverbanks all the way to a well-preserved headhouse near the top of the gorge. At the river, the conveyor connects to a coal tipple which sits near a row of coke ovens. Nearby, a maze of hiking trails – complete with informative interpretive exhibits – navigates the remains of the Nuttallburg historic town.
Most people reach Nuttallburg by driving down a steep, one-lane gravel road to a parking lot near the town. If you’re able, I’d instead recommend hiking to Nuttallburg via the Headhouse Trail. The Headhouse Trailhead is easy to reach and park at, and the trail’s gradual descent towards the river lets you follow the coal conveyor all the way from its origin at the headhouse down to the coal tipple by the river. If you choose this option, prepare for a ~4.5 mile hike with 1100 feet of elevation gain.
4. Gawk at the New River Gorge Bridge
3,000 feet long and 900 feet high, the New River Gorge Bridge was once the longest single-span arch bridge in the world. It’s larger than the Gateway Arch by a longshot. When it opened in 1977, it cut the drive time across the New River from 45 minutes to 45 seconds.
In short, the New River Gorge Bridge is an engineering marvel. Despite its size, the bridge blends beautifully into the park’s natural landscape without feeling like a manmade intruder.
There are several spots in the park to see the New River Gorge Bridge. The most popular overlook is a short walk from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Another popular spot is Long Point, which requires a short hike to reach. If you take a whitewater rafting trip on the lower New River, you’ll pass underneath the bridge and gain a true appreciation for its scale.
5. Watch the Sunset at Long Point
Long Point provides one of the best views of the New River Gorge Bridge. It’s also the best place in the park to watch a sunset. A 3-mile hike takes you to this rocky outcropping that sits high above the New River. At this outcropping, a clearing in the trees reveals a stunning view of the gorge, with the bridge directly in front of you.
In the evening, the cooling air temperatures often create a dense fog that rises above the New River. When the sky is clear, you can catch the sun setting to the west. The low drone of cars crossing the bridge blends together with the sounds of crickets and trees rustling in the wind. If the ingredients are right, you’ll be in for a treat as the sun descends below the horizon.
Though best during sunrise or sunset, Long Point is worth a visit any time of day. At 3 miles and 344 feet of elevation gain, it’s a short hike with a big payoff.
6. Marvel at the Grandview Overlook
Grandview is a small unit of New River Gorge National Park that sits 45 minutes away from the bridge. As its name implies, Grandview is home to a view of the gorge even grander than those seen near the bridge. At its namesake overlook, the ground drops 1,400 feet on its way to the New River. The scale of the gorge here is impressive, making an excursion – even if just to the overlook – worth the long drive.
At Grandview, you can find a visitor center and a couple of hikes in addition to the overlook. You can therefore spend as little as 15 minutes or as much as half a day here, depending on your timeline in the park. In any case, it should be a part of any first-time visitor’s itinerary.
7. Tour Thurmond Historic District
Once a prosperous, bustling mining town, Thurmond is now home to five residents – yes, five. Most of the structures present in the town’s heyday no longer exist, but those that remain are contained within New River Gorge National Park. Thurmond’s last occupants live on a hill above Main Street, and they still meet in the town’s small city hall.
What remains of Thurmond captures a sliver of West Virginia’s fascinating history. Interpretive exhibits line its historic shop windows, the old coal tipple still stands, and its railroad depot houses a museum while simultaneously serving as an Amtrak station.
Thurmond Historic District is another place that first-timers at New River Gorge should explore. Though most visits here don’t last much longer than 30 minutes, the town’s historic value bolstered by gorgeous scenery along the New River make for a memorable visit.
8. Walk Across Sandstone Falls
Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall on the New River. 1500 feet wide and up to 25 feet tall, Sandstone Falls is a spectacle rivaling that of the bridge.
Most visitors to Sandstone Falls start their journey by exiting from I-64. Here, the NPS recommends making a stop at the Sandstone Visitor Center, which offers exhibits detailing the waterfall. Then, you’ll drive 30 minutes along two scenic roads on either side of the river, passing scenic overlooks of the falls along the way.
Once you reach Sandstone Falls, a short hike and boardwalk give you up-close views of the falls. Keep your camera ready, but don’t drop it in the river!
Sandstone Falls resides in the most southern unit of the park. Reaching the falls from the bridge area requires a 75-minute drive, so you should budget 4-5 hours if you’re visiting from the main section of the park.
9. Enjoy an Evening in Fayetteville
Fayetteville is a small town only a few minutes east of the New River Gorge Bridge. It’s home to most of the outfitters, gear shops, and guides that offer service to visitors of the national park. Visitors can also find several restaurants and breweries serving familiar favorites and local grub. Fayetteville is therefore a great place to spend an evening after a long day at New River Gorge.
If you’re looking for a hearty meal, Pies & Pints, Wanderlust Creativefoods, or Don Rizo Mexican Kitchen are all good options. Several local bars and brewpubs offer a great selection of beer and cocktails for those looking to kick back and relax.
10. Visit Kaymoor Mine
Kaymoor is another popular “ghost mine” in New River Gorge National Park. This mine was one of the most successful in New River Gorge, but – like the others in the park – was abandoned when its coal yield began to decline. The mine shut down in 1962, allowing nature to retake the land that the mine once occupied. Today, you can reach the overgrown remains of the mine via a steep, 1-mile trail that descends 900 feet into the gorge.
If you have time to see another mine site in addition to Nuttallburg, I’d recommend Kaymoor. The Kaymoor Miners Trail is easy to reach from Fayetteville and sits close to the bridge, making it a convenient stop if you’re looking to see some of the park’s highlights.
11. Take a Fall Foliage Trip
Like much of the Appalachian region, New River Gorge sports vibrant fall foliage from mid-to-late October. For several weeks, the oranges, yellows, reds, and browns of trees preparing for winter create a color palette that injects a new beauty into the park.
If you have a few days in the park, I encourage you to engage in some of the other activities on this list and bring a camera or GoPro to capture the vibrant scenery around you. If you only have a few hours, I’d suggest making a stop at the New River Gorge Bridge, driving through some of the roads around the park, and visiting Long Point.
12. Drive on Fayette Station Road
Before the New River Gorge Bridge opened, it took almost 45 minutes to cross the New River. Fayette Station Road offers a glimpse into the “old way” of crossing the river.
This scenic drive is 8 miles long. It begins at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, descends to the New River, crosses a narrow bridge, and ascends the other side of the gorge. Along the way, you can catch excellent views of the gorge and the bridge. You can admire these views using pullouts along the road. Near the river, you can view the remains of Fayette and South Fayette, towns that once existed along the river.
If you plan to make this drive, plan for a 30-45 minute excursion, depending on how many stops you make.
13. Walk the Bridge
Did you know you can walk across an elevated catwalk directly underneath the New River Gorge Bridge? Not for the faint-hearted, those looking for an up-close experience with the bridge can pay to cross this dizzying walkway for the entire 3,000-foot length of the structure. With 900-foot drops on either side, it can be terrifying for those with a fear of heights. Rest assured, though: you’ll be wearing a safety harness clipped into a cable system, so you don’t have to worry about falling.
Bridge Walk is a private tour service that operates this experience. The standard tour costs $75 per person, with adjusted rates offered on special occasions. Though not necessarily a “must-do” activity in the park, it’s a unique way to see one of the largest bridges in the world.
Visit the official Bridge Walk website for more information.
14. Stroll Along Endless Wall
Endless Wall is a long sandstone cliff line that towers over the New River, a destination in the park for both climbers and hikers. The wall houses the largest concentration of sport climbing routes in the park, but enjoyment here is not limited to climbers. Those looking for a scenic hike can walk along the top of the cliffs. This hike provides unobscured views of the New River and glances at the wall’s beautiful Nuttall sandstone.
15. Watch BASE Jumpers Leap from the Bridge
Can you imagine the spectacle of BASE jumpers leaping from the New River Gorge Bridge and diving towards the river? At Bridge Day, you don’t have to imagine!
Bridge Day is an annual festival held in New River Gorge National Park focused around the park’s famous bridge. It commemorates the bridge’s opening in 1977 and is always celebrated on the third Saturday of October. At this festival, the bridge is completely closed to vehicular traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk across the bridge.
Attendees of Bridge Day can watch experienced BASE jumpers and rappelers descend from the bridge. It’s a unique event, unlike anything you’ll encounter in other national parks. Plus, the event is free to visitors, so it’s a great excuse to visit the park.
Visit the official Bridge Day website for more information.
Getting Around in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Unfortunately, New River Gorge can be tricky to navigate. The national park is segmented into several small units – each of which requiring up to an hour of driving to reach – by its adjacent national preserve. These units collectively house the park’s main attractions. In order from north to south, the units are: the “Bridge Area”, Thurmond Historic District, Grandview, and Sandstone Falls. Due to the park’s harsh geography, there are few roadways that penetrate the gorge. So, it’s common to exit and re-enter the park to get to a specific destination. See the map below for more clarity…
To navigate all of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve’s main attractions, you’ll need a car. You can reach parts of the park via an Amtrak or Greyhound, but it’s impossible to tour the entire park without a vehicle.
See the sections below for a breakdown of the attractions in the park’s segmented units, listed from north to south.
The New River Gorge Bridge & Fayetteville
If it’s your first time at New River Gorge and you only have a few hours to visit, the “Bridge Area” is the place to go. This is the largest section of the national park, home to the New River Gorge Bridge and the various overlooks surrounding it. The Bridge Area is also home to Endless Wall, the largest concentration of rock climbs in the park. Other attractions include Nuttallburg, Kaymoor Mine, the Long Point hike, and the drive along Fayette Station Road.
Fayetteville sits just outside the national park near the bridge, and is home to most of the restaurants and outfitters that you’d want to check out.
Thurmond Historic District
30 minutes south of Fayetteville, this unit is home to Thurmond Historic District. Admittedly, there’s not much to do here beyond a walking tour of Thurmond and some cool views of the river. This is also the location of the park’s Amtrak station.
Grandview
Residing 45 minutes south of Fayetteville, Grandview hosts a breathtaking overlook of the New River and a few solid hikes. This is a great place to spend half a day.
Sandstone Falls
The park’s southernmost unit is a 75-minute drive from Fayetteville, making it difficult to visit as a “quick stop” from the other park units. It’s home to a visitor center, a scenic drive, and its namesake Sandstone Falls – the largest waterfall on the New River.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve Map
The map below provides an overview of the park’s attractions, trailheads, and activities described above. The clusters of pins provide a good understanding of the park’s segmented units.
Best Times to Visit New River Gorge
New River Gorge offers things to do year-round for outdoor enthusiasts. Spring and fall, however, are the best seasons to visit since they provide the best weather. Fall is a particularly popular time to visit thanks to colorful foliage, rafting on the Gauley River, and Bridge Day. I’d recommend against a summer visit if it’s your first time in the park, since the humidity can make hiking unbearable and rain is more common.
If you are interested in a springtime visit, target late March through early May. To partake in “Gauley Season,” the controlled releases of water from Summersville Lake begin the weekend after Labor Day and continue for six weekends. If fall foliage is your jam, visit anytime in October through early November.
Where to Stay at New River Gorge
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve resides in rural West Virginia, far away from any major population center. Lodging and camping, therefore, is far from luxurious. That’s OK, though: in my opinion, this is all part of the New River Gorge experience.
Lodging Near the Park
Cabins, Airbnb’s, and motels comprise the selection of lodging at New River Gorge. Motels and a few hotels are available west of the park along US 19. The largest concentration is in Beckley near US 64 – 30 minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge.
Cabin rentals are also common in the area, with some of the nearby state parks and private lodging companies offering cozy wooded accommodations. Here are a few options near the park:
- New River Cabins – 5 minutes from the bridge
- Opossum Creak Retreat – 5 minutes from the bridge
- Adventures on the Gorge – 5 minutes from the bridge
- Mill Creek Cabins – 5 minutes from the bridge
- Babcock State Park – 20 minutes from the bridge
- Bluestone State Park – 25 minutes from Sandstone Falls
Campgrounds In & Near the Park
Camping at New River Gorge is primitive. The campgrounds in the park offer soft ground to pitch a tent, and that’s it. No electrical hookups, no water, and no reservations required. Most of these campgrounds are only accessible via unpaved roads, adding to their primitive nature. The table below lists the park’s campgrounds.
| Campground | What’s Nearby? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Cliff | Thurmond Historic District | No drive-in campsites |
| Brooklyn | Cunard; Fayetteville | Access via unpaved road |
| Thayer | Thurmond Historic District | Access via unpaved road |
| Army Camp | views of New River; solitude | Access via unpaved road |
| Grandview Sandbar | hike to Grandview; solitude | 16 sites |
| Glade Creek | Glade Creek Falls; solitude | Difficult to reach |
| War Ridge | Quinnimont; Babcock SP | Not along the river |
| Meadow Creek | Sandstone Visitor Center; I-64 | 26 sites, sits near highway |
| Gauley Tailwaters | Summersville Lake | Part of Gauley River NRA |
Tips for Visiting New River Gorge
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve offers plenty to do and see for visitors of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels. The park’s infrastructure makes it a forgiving place for first-time visitors, but it’s still good to come prepared. Here are a few tips if it’s your first time in the park:
- Be prepared to drive! As discussed above, it’s nearly impossible to see all of New River Gorge National Park without a personal vehicle. Some of the park’s main attractions are spread far apart from each other, requiring some patience to reach.
- Bring bug spray. Ticks and mosquitoes are common at New River Gorge in the warm months, and could spoil a visit to the park if you’re not ready for them. Spray yourself often with bug spray to avoid falling victim to these biting pests.
- Make reservations in advance. Activities like whitewater rafting & the Bridge Walk require reservations, which are best to nab a few weeks in advance. Don’t show up to the park and expect to partake in these activities on a last-minute basis.
- Prepare for rain. New River Gorge sees rainfall year-round, most heavily in the summer months. The forecast is often unpredictable, so – even if there is a low chance of rain during your visit – be sure to bring a rain jacket and waterproof boots.
- If you want to camp in the park, prepare for a primitive camping experience. While the park sports many campgrounds, they are as barebones as you can get… no water, no electrical hook-ups, and no reservations. Bring plenty of water, food, and your own supplies. If you enjoy this form of camping, you’re in for a treat! These campgrounds also offer a nice bit of solitude.
- Come with a thirst for knowledge. One of the best parts about New River Gorge is its historical value. The parks’ defunct mining towns and visitor centers offer lots of exhibits about the area’s history. It’s a fascinating place, and learning about its past can make you appreciate it much more.
In Conclusion…
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve offers a treasure trove of activities, stunning natural beauty, and learning opportunities. Though not as expansive or grand as some of the national parks out west, it’s a unique gem of the Appalachian region. While the park sees a healthy number of visitors (~1 million per year), I still view it as one of the most underrated parks in the national park roster.
Check out my guide page on New River Gorge for a more succinct summary of the things to do in the park. And – of course – visit paulintheparks.com for more guides, videos, and stories from the national parks!
— Paul