As West Virginia’s only National Park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a top-tier destination for white-water rafting. Visitors can also hike and take scenic drives in a park that meanders for 53 miles through the Appalachian Mountains. There are waterfalls and night skies to enjoy, and keep a lookout for wildlife. Here are the Best things to do in New River Gorge National Park.
13 WOW Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park
Learn about the Park
Stop by the Visitor Center
See the New River Gorge Bridge
Go on a Scenic Drive
Take a Hike
See the Sunrise or Sunset
Explore the Night Sky
Go on the Waterfall Tour
Go White-Water Rafting
Earn a Ranger Badge
Spot Wildlife
Picnic in the Park
Camp
Why Visit New River Gorge National Park
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, one of the world’s oldest rivers, the New River, lies at the bottom of its gorge. Anchored by the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the only national park in West Virginia.
It is an outdoor hub with hiking and white water rafting at the top of the list. However, visitors can also take one of its numerous scenic drives. I recommend you see its bridge, the longest steel arch span in the Western Hemisphere.
First designated as a National River in 1978, the area was upgraded to a National Park in 2020. New River originates in North Carolina and travels north to join the Ohio River via the Kanawha River.
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Visitor Centers in New River Gorge National Park
Visitor centers are the place to grab maps or Junior Ranger booklets. Most offer interpretive areas to learn more about the area.
This is also the place to ask questions and learn about park ranger programming. Restrooms and water bottle fillers are usually located at the visitor center.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
If you have time to stop off at one visitor center, choose Canyon Rim. It offers views of the New River Gorge Bridge and is constructed of natural materials, including sandstone and red oak.
This site offers an interpretive area to learn more about the New River Gorge and its people. In addition to information about New River, visitors can also get details about the Bluestone National Scenic River and the Gauley River National Recreation Area.
It also shows an 11-minute interpretive video. There is a bookstore located in the Canyon Rim Visitor Center as well.
During my visit to New River, I stopped at this visitor center so I could see the bridge. From its back patio, I could see a two-mile view south into the park.
You can take the short boardwalk that descends into the gorge to two observation decks, which offer unobstructed views of the bridge. The first observation deck is accessible.
Located at 162 Visitor Center Road, Lansing, WV. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sandstone Visitor Center
At the south end of the park, the Sandstone Visitor Center offers interpretive displays on the area’s cultural and natural resources, including its watershed. It features a native plant garden, picnic area and a bookstore. Visitors can also see the park’s film.
Sandstone Visitor Center is conveniently located just north of the I-64 and State Route 20 interchange (Exit 139) at 330 Meadow Creek Road, Sandstone, WV. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grandview Visitor Center
The Grandview section of the park is at the park’s highest elevation and perched along the edge of the gorge. At the Grandview Visitor Center, visitors will find a stunning view looking nearly 1,400 feet down from the rim to the river.
It is a smaller, seasonal visitor center, open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. This area offers five hiking trails, summer outdoor dramas and a picnic area with a playground.
Located at 4700 Grandview Road, Beaver, WV. It is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend in late May to Labor Day in early September. For the fall color season, it is open weekends only until the end of October.
Thurmond Depot Visitor Center
On the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Thurmond was a thriving railroad town. The visitor center is inside its restored depot, where visitors will find interpretive displays and historic furnishings of the golden days of railroading.
Located at 254 River Crest Road, Thurmond, WV. Open daily from Memorial Day in late May through Labor Day in early September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends only for the remainder of September and October.
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New River Gorge Bridge
Completed on October 22, 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge is the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere. It is also the third-highest bridge in the U.S.
It is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia, so the U.S. Mint chose it to represent the state’s commemorative quarter in 2006.
It is 3,030 feet long and 876 feet above the New River and constructed of rust-colored Cor-ten steel, which never needs painting. It took three years to complete and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Height: 876 feet | 267 meters
- Length: 3,030 feet | 923 meters
- Arch Length: 1,700 feet | 518 meters
- Weight: 88,000,000 pounds | 39,916,129 kilograms
The nearby Canyon Rim Visitor Center is an excellent place to view the bridge. The Long Point hiking trail is another option.
Once a year, the bridge is closed for Bridge Day, in which pedestrians can walk across the New River Gorge Bridge. Held on the third Saturday in October, it also includes BASE jumping and rappelling.
Bridge Walk
Visitors can walk 851 feet above the New River on a guided catwalk. Used for maintenance, the 3,030‑foot-long catwalk is 25 feet beneath the surface of the bridge.
Participants will use a harness system that keeps them securely connected to the 24-inch-wide maintenance catwalk underneath the bridge. The tour takes about two hours, and tour guides share the area’s history.
Tours are offered several times a day, at 30-minute intervals. Price is $79 per person, and reservations are required as tours sell out.
Scenic Drives in New River Gorge National Park
The easiest way to experience a national park is by driving through it. Scenic Drives are designated for their scenery, with pull-offs to enjoy the views.
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a long, skinny park. Similar to Shenandoah National Park, except it follows the river’s path.
U.S Route 19 bisects the park at its northern end with the use of the New River Gorge Bridge at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. U.S. Interstate 64 bisects the park at its southern end, near the Sandstone Visitor Center.
For a scenic road through the park, the Fayette Station Road was the only way across the river before the bridge’s construction in 1977. A narrow, winding, 8-mile-long one-way road travels along the New River.
Visitors will get views from underneath the bridge as the Fayette Station Road passes under it three times. A parking lot at the bottom gives access to the New River, and the drive takes about 30 to 45 minutes without stopping.
Note: Large vehicles over 12-feet tall, RVs and trailers are not recommended.
According to the National Park Service, after departing the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, turn right to go north on US-19. Continue for 0.3 miles and take the next right onto Lansing-Edmond Road/Truck 82. In 0.4 miles, turn right at the brown park sign for Fayette Station Road. Bear left and uphill at the fork to continue onto Fayette Station Road. The road will become one-way.
Where to Hike in New River Gorge National Park
Hiking is one of the best ways to explore a national park site. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve features about 100 miles of trails, including the famous Endless Wall Trail, which hugs the canyon rim.
For hikes along the Rim, consider these trails:
Endless Wall Trail—A 2.4-mile one-way moderate trail near the northern end of the park.
Grandview Rim Trail—A 1.6-mile one-way moderate trail near the Grandview Visitors Center
Long Point Trail—A 1.6-mile one-way moderate trail near the northern end of the park.
Easier Hikes
- Big Buck Trail—A 0.9-mile easy loop near Grandview Shelter #2.
- Burnwood Trail—An easy 1.2-mile round-trip trail near the Canyon Rim Visitor Center
- Island Loop Trail—An easy 0.5-mile loop trail near Sandstone Brooks Area
- Park Loop Trail—An easy 1.1-mile loop trail near the north end of the park.
- Timber Ridge Trail—An easy 1.0-mile one-way trail near the north end of the park.
- Woodland Loop Trail—An easy 0.6-mile loop near the Grandview Shelter #2.
Where to See the Sunrise or Sunset in New River Gorge
Seeing the sunrise or the sunset is one of the best things to do in a national park. In New River Gorge National Park, you might see the river glow in golden shades during sunset.
An east-facing overlook on the west side of the river is the best place for sunrise.
- Endless Wall Trail at Diamond Point
- Grandview Main Overlook
A west-facing overlook on the east side of the river works best for sunset.
- New River Gorge Bridge Overlook at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
- Long Point
- Sandstone Falls Overlook
Night Sky Viewing in New River Gorge
Not an official Dark Sky Park, New River Gorge does offer dark skies with the Milky Way and stars visible on clear nights. For the best results, you can visit any one of these sites for an unobstructed view of the night sky.
New River Gorge Bridge Overlook at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Fayette Station Road lower parking lot
Grandview Main Overlook
Meadow Creek Campground
Sandstone Falls Boardwalk
Waterfall Tour in New River Gorge National Park
There is one thing I love, and that is a waterfall. Some people want to climb rock faces, others want to watch the water falling from them.
New River Gorge National Park features a Waterfall Tour with eight waterfalls in and near the park. Tourgoers can start at the north of the park near the town of Gauley Bridge and end at the famous Sandstone Falls.
Four of the falls are accessible from the road and don’t require an extended hike. The other four are viewable after a hike. This tour is best done over two days.
The Falls
Kanawha Falls drops 15 feet, and Cathedral Falls drops over 60 feet. Both are located near the town of Gauley Bridge, outside of the park.
Kaymoor Mine Falls at Wolf Creek drops from 50 to 70 feet. Located off Fayette Station Road and requires a .1-mile hike.
Butcher Branch Falls is a cascade waterfall and is dependent on rainfall. Located off the Kaymoor Top Trailhead, it requires a .5-mile hike one-way.
Dunloup Falls drops 20 feet and located near the town of Dunloup, off Thurmond Road. This falls is accessible from the parking lot and no hiking is required.
Glade Creek Falls is a cascade waterfall and requires a 9.4-mile round-trip hike. To get to the trailhead, you will need a high-clearance 4×4.
Big Branch Falls is a tiered waterfall, and the longest drop is close to 30 feet. Located in the Big Branch trailhead, hike clockwise 0.7 miles to reach the falls.
Sandstone Falls spans 1,500 feet across; it is the largest waterfall on the New River. It drops from 10 to 25 feet. Worth noting, it is not near the Sandstone Visitor Center, instead about 45 minutes away. There is an accessible boardwalk at Sandstone Falls.
White Water Rafting in New River Gorge National Park
During your trip, you can paddle the mighty New River, which cuts through the Appalachian Mountains. Beginning at Bluestone Dam and ending at Hawks Nest Lake, the New River runs for 53 miles inside the park’s boundaries.
The upper (southern) part of the river consists primarily of long pools, and relatively easy rapids up to Class III. The lower (northern) section of the river is often referred to as the Lower Gorge, is home to the big rapids, from Class III to Class V.
The season runs from April through October, and open those who want to run the river on their own. For outfitters, consult the NPS white water rafting page.
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Kids and Pets in New River Gorge National Park
Traveling with your kids or pets is part of the fun. New River Gorge National Park makes a great trip with lots of activities and things to see. As for pets, they are welcome at the park’s picnic area, campground, in the parking lots and on the paved roads.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about Pinnacles National Park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete.
My kids love the badges park rangers present them after they complete their booklets. Occasionally, a national park might host special programming for kids.
BARK Program
New River Gorge National Park welcomes pets as long as they follow the BARK program’s principles. Pets are allowed on all trails at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash
A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others
R–Respect wildlife
K–Know where you can go
Sport Wildlife in New River Gorge National Park
Wildlife spotting is one of the top activities on any national park adventure. Visitors can spot animals while hiking, especially near water sources and at dusk and dawn.
Common mammals in the park include groundhog, raccoon, opossum, gray and fox squirrel, chipmunk and white-tailed deer. Black bears and bobcats are in the park; however are nocturnal. Coyotes, red foxes and gray foxes are also found inside the park.
Park rangers recommend visitors to stay at least 25 feet away from larger mammals, like deer and elk and 75 feet away from bears.
Be Bear Aware
Black bears in the Sierra Nevada mountains cause more property damage than danger to humans. Using their sense of smell and strength, vehicles can not keep a bear out that wants a candy bar.
Tips from Park Rangers:
Don’t leave food or scented items in vehicles.
Store all food and scented items, including toiletries, in the provided bear-proof storage lockers.
Lodge guests must bring all items indoors overnight.
Keep a clean camp.
Deposit all garbage in bear-proof trash cans or dumpsters.
If you encounter a black bear, make loud noises to scare them away.
Picnicking in New River Gorge National Park
One of my favorite things to do in a National Park is to picnic. With some basic supplies, I can enjoy lunch or a snack al fresco.
Dun Glen Picnic Area near Thurmond Depot Visitor Center
Grandview Playground and Picnic Shelter near Grandview Visitor Center
Where to Camp in New River Gorge National Park
Camping is an excellent way to extend your time in the parks. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve features nine campgrounds.
All are located along the New River except for the War Ridge / Backus Mountain Campground. Each is first-come, first-serve and none feature flushing toilets or water.
Stone Cliff Beach Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 7 tent-only sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Army Camp Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 11 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Grandview Sandbar Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 16 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Glade Creek Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 11 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
War Ridge / Backus Mountain Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 8 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Brooklyn Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 5 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Thayer Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 4 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Meadow Creek Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 17 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
Gauley Tailwaters Campground
- Year Round
- First-Come, First-Serve
- 17 sites
- Vault toilets
- No Portable Water
