Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
In southern West Virginia, a river with a misleading name has cut a steep, forested canyon over an immense span of time, and that gorge is now one of the country's newest national parks. It became a national park in 2020. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, coal mining towns lined the gorge, and their remains are scattered through forests that have since reclaimed the slopes.
The Canyon Rim Visitor Center sits beside the New River Gorge Bridge, a steel arch spanning the canyon, and the winding Fayette Station Road descends beneath it to river level. Hikers follow the Long Point Trail for a classic view of the bridge or the Endless Wall Trail along sandstone cliffs popular with climbers. Kaymoor and Nuttallburg preserve remnants of mining operations, and the old railroad town of Thurmond still has a few historic buildings. In the park's southern section, Grandview overlooks a large river bend, and Sandstone Falls spreads across the river's width. Nearby Babcock State Park is known for its photogenic gristmill.
The park suits active travelers: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking are all popular. Bridge Day in October allows people to walk the bridge. Fall foliage is striking, and summer is ideal for rafting.
WiserMap travel guideNew River Gorge West Virginia Rafting and Rim TrailsExplore New River Gorge National Park: the famous bridge, rim trails, coal towns, Sandstone Falls, whitewater rafting, Fayetteville, seasons and planning.Read the guide
A steel arch bridge completed in 1977 that carries US 19 about 876 feet above the New River, once the longest single-span arch in the world. Walk the boardwalk from the visitor center for the classic view, or book the guided Bridge Walk on the catwalk beneath the deck. Bridge Day in October allows BASE jumping.
The park's main visitor center on the north rim near Fayetteville, with exhibits on geology, coal mining and the bridge, a film, a bookstore and ranger help. Stairs and a boardwalk lead down to overlooks facing the bridge. Stop here first for maps, current trail conditions and the schedule of ranger programs.
A narrow, winding one-way road that twists down the gorge from Fayetteville, crosses the river on a low bridge and climbs the other side, giving close views up at the New River Gorge Bridge. It was the only crossing before the big bridge opened. Allow about 45 minutes, and skip it in RVs or with trailers.
Two of the park's most popular rim hikes. Long Point Trail is about 3.2 miles round trip to a rock outcrop with a framed view of the bridge, and Endless Wall Trail follows sandstone cliffs used by climbers to the Diamond Point overlook. Go early at weekends, as the small trailhead parking lots fill fast.
Remains of a coal mining town that operated from 1899 to 1962 on the gorge wall below Fayetteville. The Kaymoor Miners Trail descends steeply to the mine portal and coke ovens, and an 821-step stairway continues to the lower site near the river. The climb back up is tough, so bring water and allow several hours.
One of the best-preserved coal towns in the gorge, founded by John Nuttall in the 1870s and later leased by Henry Ford. Trails pass the restored tipple, conveyor, coke ovens and building foundations along the river. Reach it via a narrow, steep road off Route 19 near Lookout, and pick up the self-guided brochure.
A small railroad town on the river that boomed during the coal era, with banks, hotels and a busy depot. The restored 1904 Thurmond Depot serves as a seasonal visitor center, and Amtrak's Cardinal still stops here. Walk the short loop along the tracks and old storefronts, but stay off the active rail lines.
An area of the park on the rim near Beckley known for its main overlook, about 1,400 feet above a wide horseshoe bend in the river. Short trails like Grandview Rim and Castle Rock leave from the parking area, and rhododendrons bloom in early summer. Visit at sunrise or in October for the best light and color.
The largest waterfall on the New River, spanning about 1,500 feet of river with drops of 10 to 25 feet, in the quieter southern part of the park near Hinton. A boardwalk crosses small islands to views of the falls. Stop at the Sandstone Visitor Center on I-64 first, and take the scenic river road from Hinton.
A West Virginia state park beside the gorge best known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a working replica mill built in 1976 from parts of older mills and one of the most photographed spots in the state. The park also has cabins, a campground, hiking trails and a small lake. Visit in fall for the classic mill photo.
A state park at the northern end of the gorge near Ansted with an overlook about 585 feet above the river, a lodge and a seasonal aerial tramway down to the marina, where jet boat tours run up to the New River Gorge Bridge. The overlook is a short walk from the parking lot and has a stone CCC-era shelter.
No reviews yet. Been to New River Gorge National Park? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to New River Gorge National Park? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: JaGa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: JaGa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: NPS photo, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Aparkswv, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Watts, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gabor Eszes (UED77), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jarek Tuszyński, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Mueller, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Antony-22, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Roller Coaster Philosophy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Roller Coaster Philosophy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Roller Coaster Philosophy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Roller Coaster Philosophy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: AHeneen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Antony-22, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Weisloa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would , Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would , Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: NPS photo, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: George Neat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: George Neat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: George Neat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bestbudbrian, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pub. by The A. W. Smith News Agency, Charleston, W. Va. "Tichnor Quality Views,", Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Pub. by The A. W. Smith News Agency, Charleston, W. Va. "Tichnor Quality Views,", Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Sixflashphoto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sixflashphoto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Shmonty, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: ForestWander, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 us
Photo: ForestWander, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 us
Photo: Thomas Kirchel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jza873, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jza873, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jza873, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jza873, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
