New River Gorge National Park

State: West Virginia. Type: national park and preserve spanning Fayette and Summers counties. Originally protected as New River Gorge National River on November 10, 1978; redesignated a national park and preserve on December 27, 2020 (the 63rd U.S. national park). Covers 72,808 acres and stretches 53 miles along the New River. No entrance fee. 2022 visitation: 1,593,523.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects a deep, forested canyon in southern West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains, cut by one of the oldest rivers in North America. Despite its name, the New River flows north, dropping through more than 1,000 feet of exposed sandstone and shale as it carves the gorge. The park is best known for the New River Gorge Bridge, a massive steel arch highway span that towers over the canyon and draws visitors year-round, and for the whitewater rafting that runs the river's Class III-V rapids each spring through fall. Rock climbers come for more than 1,400 established routes on the gorge's sandstone cliffs, while hikers have over 50 miles of trails ranging from short overlook walks to longer backcountry routes. The park's history is tied to the coal and railroad era, and former mining communities like Thurmond survive within its boundaries as reminders of that past. Once a year, Bridge Day closes the bridge to traffic for base jumping and rappelling, drawing large crowds.

The park stretches roughly 53 miles along the New River from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted, across Fayette and Summers counties in southern West Virginia. Mailing address: P.O. Box 246, Glen Jean, WV 25846. The park has no single entrance; visitors access it from multiple points along the gorge.

The gorge has a humid, four-season Appalachian climate with warm, humid summers and cool winters that can bring snow and ice at higher elevations. Commercial rafting season runs April through October, reflecting safer, warmer water conditions in that window; conditions can vary significantly with elevation and season within the gorge.

Spring through fall is the most popular window, coinciding with the commercial whitewater rafting season (April-October) and milder hiking and climbing weather. Fall brings peak leaf color to the gorge's forested slopes. Bridge Day, the third Saturday in October, is a signature annual event but also the single busiest day, when the bridge itself closes to traffic.

Congress protected the river corridor as New River Gorge National River on November 10, 1978, under legislation signed by President Jimmy Carter. On December 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed legislation redesignating the core of the site as New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, making it the newest and, at the time, one of the smallest national parks. The gorge's human history predates the park by well over a century: coal mining and the railroad shaped settlements like Thurmond, whose remnants still stand within park boundaries.

Whitewater rafting on Class III-V rapids runs with commercial outfitters from April through October. Rock climbers have access to over 1,400 established routes on the gorge's sandstone. Hikers can choose from more than 50 miles of trails, including short walks to bridge and gorge overlooks. Visitors also fish for warm-water species, bike, and photograph the New River Gorge Bridge from designated overlooks; the historic Thurmond townsite adds a rail-and-coal-history stop.

The New River Gorge Bridge and its overlooks are the park's most photographed feature. The park operates four visitor centers: Canyon Rim and Sandstone (open year-round) and Grandview and Thurmond (seasonal, generally Memorial Day through Labor Day). The historic Thurmond townsite, a former coal and railroad community, is a notable stop within the gorge.

The park is accessed via US-19, which crosses the gorge on the New River Gorge Bridge, and other local roads along the canyon; roads within the gorge are described by the Park Service as narrow and winding, so extra travel time should be allowed. There is no single park entrance gate; visitors typically start at one of the four visitor centers depending on which section of the gorge they plan to explore.

The park grounds themselves have no set hours. Canyon Rim and Sandstone Visitor Centers are open year-round; Grandview and Thurmond Visitor Centers operate on a seasonal schedule, typically Memorial Day through Labor Day. Confirm current visitor-center hours at nps.gov/neri before visiting.

There is no entrance fee for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, per the National Park Service. Commercial activities such as rafting trips, guided climbing and camping have their own separate fees set by individual outfitters or campgrounds; primitive backcountry camping is available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

A day is enough to see a visitor center and one or two overlooks, but visitors doing a rafting trip, a longer hike, or exploring multiple sections of the 53-mile gorge (Canyon Rim, Grandview, Thurmond) typically plan two to three days.

Lodging is concentrated in gateway towns along the gorge, including Fayetteville, Beckley and Hinton, ranging from independent motels and chain hotels to cabins and vacation rentals; several commercial rafting outfitters also operate their own lodges and campgrounds near put-in points. The park itself does not operate lodges, but primitive camping is available within park boundaries.

Fayetteville, close to the New River Gorge Bridge, has the highest concentration of restaurants and cafes catering to outdoor visitors, from casual pizza and brewery spots to sit-down dining. Beckley and Hinton offer additional dining options for visitors approaching from the southern end of the gorge.

Hawks Nest State Park sits at the park's northern end near Ansted and offers its own overlooks of the gorge. Babcock State Park, known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, is a short drive away. Beckley's Exhibition Coal Mine offers an underground tour tied to the region's mining history.

The nearest commercial airports are Yeager Airport in Charleston and Raleigh County Memorial Airport near Beckley, both roughly an hour or more from the gorge by car. There is no public transit serving the park directly, so a personal or rental vehicle is necessary.

Check weather conditions before hiking, climbing or rafting, since conditions in the gorge can change quickly. Roads within the park are narrow and winding, so allow extra travel time and drive cautiously. Rafting and climbing carry inherent risks; use a licensed commercial outfitter or guide for whitewater trips if you are not experienced. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sturdy hiking shoes, water, and layered clothing are useful given the elevation changes and variable mountain weather. A physical map is worth carrying, per Park Service advice, since cell service is unreliable in parts of the gorge. Climbers and rafters should bring or rent activity-specific gear through a licensed outfitter.

Because the park has no single entrance and covers 53 miles, decide in advance which section (Canyon Rim/bridge area, Grandview, or Thurmond) you want to prioritize. Book commercial rafting trips ahead of time, especially in summer. Avoid planning a visit to the bridge area on Bridge Day (third Saturday in October) unless attending the event, since the bridge closes to traffic and crowds are heavy.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's general visitor information line is 304-465-0508, per the National Park Service.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.