New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Nestled deep in the heart of West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains lies one of the newest National Parks in America, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

New River Gorge Bridge from Long Point at New River Gorge National Park

Established in 2020 as a National Park and seeing more than 1.5 million visitors annually, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects nearly 73,000 acres of rugged, wild, mountainous land within southern West Virginia. The park is open 24 hours a day, and is completely free to visit! Additionally, their are two visitors centers in the park located at the Canyon Rim in Fayetteville and in the Sandstone region.

The Endless Wall at New River Gorge National Park

While New River Gorge National Park does not offer any NPS-managed lodging or eating facilities, the many motels, short-term rentals, cabins, campgrounds, restaurants, and cafes in the towns of Fayetteville, Beckley, Glen Jean, Sandstone, Hinton, Oak Hill, and other surrounding towns, provide a vast array of options for eating and sleeping in and around the park.

Pies and Pints offers incredible eating options in the heart of Fayetteville, WV

Protecting nearly 53 miles of the wild New River, New River Gorge National Park offers an incredible array of outdoor activities for any visitor! The New River cutting through the heart of the park offers world class whitewater rafting ranging from Class III to Class V, while the vertical walls of the Gorge have over 1400 established climbing routes attracting rock climbers from all over. The park also has over 50 miles of hiking trails, and hosts the world-renowned Bridge Day which brings BASE jumpers from all over the world that are eager to jump off the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.

The New River from Diamond Point at New River Gorge National Park

In addition to the extensive outdoor activities available at New River Gorge National Park, this rugged landscape also holds the rich history of the coal mining and lumber industry that brought so many people to this region during the 19th century. From the nearly abandoned Thurmond Depot to the mining remnants of the Kaymoor Trail, New River Gorge National Park offers an incredible look into the history of the Appalachian region.

The Kaymoor Miners Trail at New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park offers some of the most diverse flora in this region of America, which provides a safe haven for a vast array of mammals, reptiles, and birds that call this land their home. The park has over 63 mammal species, 48 species of amphibian, and provides one of the marquee nesting locations for the Peregrine falcon within the Appalachian region.

Thurmond Depot at New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park is broken up into 5 regions: Fayetteville, Thurmond, Grandview, Sandstone, and Nuttallburg. Each region allows visitors a unique experience to the wide variety of landscapes, scenery, and cultural history within the park.

Sandstone Falls at New River Gorge National Park

With its over 1,000 ft vertical cliffs, the raging New River, vast diversity of plant and wildlife, and a wide range of outdoor activities, New River Gorge National Park protects one of the few truly wild landscapes in the eastern United States. From its iconic Bridge to its jaw-dropping vistas, New River Gorge National Park is a rugged and awe-inspiring wonderland that will be protected for the enjoyment of generations to come!