New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

The New River Gorge area was designated as a US National Park in 2021, making it one of the newest additions to the portfolio of stunning national parks in the United States.

The New River runs through its namesake gorge for 53 miles. The national park encompasses the river and the areas around it, beginning around MacDougal, WV to the north and ending around Hinton, WV in the south. The incredible New River Gorge Bridge is 3,030 feet long and 876 feet high, giving a sense of the width and depth of the gorge.

The New River Gorge National Park, and areas around it, offer a wealth of hiking and camping opportunities, worldclass whitewater rafting, and cultural experiences.

Visiting New River Gorge National Park

The park can be visited in a day, but taking another day or two to explore – hike, take a whitewater rafting trip, or complete the Bridge Walk – will provide a more rewarding, up close experience.

The main tourist areas center around the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and Grandview areas. If you have limited time, visit these two spots for amazing views of the Gorge Bridge, hairpin turns in the New River, and amazing hiking.

Access to the park is dispersed, so expect to spend about 45 minutes driving between these two locations. If you plan to visit other sections of the park, such as Thurmond, Nuttallburg, and Sandstone Falls, you will need more time. Again, driving consumes a lot of your time here (see map/route at the end of this post).

New River Gorge Bridge Area

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

The Canyon Rim Visitor Center area features the Visitor Center building with its large windows and a back patio, both of which provide incredible views of the river and canyon. There is also an exhibit room featuring the history of the people and industry of the gorge, and a relief map of the national park. The park rangers and staff at the Visitor Center are knowledgeable and eager to help you plan your time at New River Gorge National Park.

New River Bridge Overlook

The main attraction here is the New River Bridge. The well-marked, paved path to the New River Bridge overlook is just to the right of the Visitor Center. It’s an easy, short and flat walk to the overlook. Standing here, you get an appreciation for the immensity of the gorge and the almost .6-mile long bridge. The bridge took three years to complete and was first opened in 1977. Its completion reduced a 40-minute drive to less than 1 minute as it connects the two sides of the gorge on US Hwy 19. Prior to its completion, travelers had to drive through the gorge on the windy, mountainous Fayette Station Road. The New River Bridge is the longest single-span arch bridge not including those in China.

Descend 178 steps to the lower overlook for better views of the bridge and gorge. From here, you can better appreciate the immense size of the bridge.

Endless Wall Hike

The start of the Endless Wall Trail is off Lansing Edmond Road (WV 82) about 2 miles from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. There are two parking lots available. This popular out-and-back hike is 2.4 miles and features great views of the gorge. Turnaround at Diamond Point. This is a moderate hike with only a few hundred feet of elevation change. (Click on the thumbnail pictures for an expanded view.)

Fayette Station Road

The one-way, 8-mile-long Fayette Station Road is the historic route through the New River Gorge. Drive it for up-close views of the imposing New River Bridge, to access the recreational area around the river, and to cross the reconstructed Fayette Station Bridge. Prior to the opening of the New River Bridge, this road was the only way to cross the gorge in a car or truck. The route ends at Lansing Edmond Road.

Bridge Walk (Commercial Attraction)

The adventurous and exciting Bridge Walk allows you to cross the gorge on a catwalk 25-feet below the New River Bridge on a guided tour. You are secured by a cable so there is no chance of falling. But this is still a heart-pounding experience for those with a fear of heights! You cross over in one direction and then ride a shuttle back to the Bridge Walk facility in the Canyon Rim Visitor Center area. Bridge Walk tours run seasonally.

Bridge Day

Every year on the 3rd Saturday in October, the New River Gorge Bridge hosts Bridge Day, the world’s largest BASE- jumping event. This is the oldest and largest organized BASE-jumping event in the world.

Whitewater Rafting

West Virginia has some of the best whitewater rafting in the world, and the New River does not fall short. The “upper” part of the river provides calmer water with float and guided rafting trips up to Class 3 rapids, while the lower sections provide rapids up to Class 6 for thrill-seekers. For information on licensed commercial outfitters for trips running April through October, visit this National Park’s page.

Grandview Area

The Grandview area of New River Gorge National Park (formerly Grandview State Park) offers excellent views of hairpin turns in the river, the gorge, and the railroad line at the river’s edge. It also offers wonderful hiking opportunities.

The Visitor Center is so small that we didn’t even recognize it at first. It sits in the middle of the parking lot at Grandview. It was closed when we visited (apparently open Memorial Day through Labor Day), but restrooms were available.

Head to the Main Overlook for astonishing, world-class views of the New River as it makes hairpins turns through the gorge.

Grandview Rim Trail

This 1.6-mile out-and-back trail leaves from the Main Overlook at Grandview and connects it with Turkey Spur. The paved, easy trail follows the rim of the canyon and provides gorgeous views. The North Overlook provides another great spot for photos. We were lucky to have the trail covered in a November snow.

Turkey Spur, located at the northern end of the Grandview Rim Trail, could be its own hike since there is a parking lot here. Getting to the top of Turkey Spur requires climbing 150 steps. Watch your head, too, as in places there are low rock overhangs. At the top you are rewarded with amazing views of the New River Valley.

(When you have time, be sure to check out our hiking gear tips page!)

Tunnel Trail

This .5-mile loop trail has interesting tunnel-like formations and is another great, short hike in the Grandview area.

Nuttallburg Historic Site

The Nuttallburg Historic Site is not easy to access, so skip it if you are short on time. However, a visit to this historic mining town is delightful and great for photography. The mine was opened, and the town built, by John Nuttall, an immigrant and mine developer. This was a true company town, with its isolated location on the New River. A rail line through the gorge made exporting coal possible.

The drive to the site is long and windy, and portions are gravel. It takes about 40 minutes to drive the 16 miles from the Canyon Rim area. There is parking for about 8 vehicles.

The site features ruins of homes and other structures, a coal tipple, and remnants of coke ovens. It’s amazing to wander and think about what life was like for the miners and families who lived here. A miner with a family would have built a 4-room house, in which he would have housed his own family and 4 single miners as boarders!

Conveyor Trail: If you’re looking for a hefty workout, or have a keen interest in mines, climb the 3-mile roundtrip Conveyor Trail. This strenuous, out-and-back trail leads to the mine entrance and to the top of the conveyor that carried the coal from top to bottom.

Sandstone Falls

Sandstone Falls is the largest series of waterfalls on the New River. There’s a parking area and a .4-mile long (roundtrip) easy boardwalk that gets you closer to the falls. Currently, the drive to get to Sandstone falls is 20 miles from the Sandstone Visitor Center near I-64, even though the falls are also near the interstate. To get to the falls, one must drive down to Hinton, WV, cross the river, and then drive back north to the falls. (There are plans to make a new exit on the west side of the river to drastically shorten the drive.)

The falls can also be seen from the Sandstone Falls Overlook, which is located on WV 20 about 17 miles from the Grandview Area. We stopped in here, and it’s a pretty spot, but the falls are so far below the road that this overlook is underwhelming.

Other Places of Interest near New River Gorge National Park

Hawks Nest State Park

This state park offers a lodge, restaurant, hiking trails, an aerial tramway (currently closed as it’s being replaced), and amazing views of the New River and gorge. This is also the launching point for jetboat rides on the New River, taking passengers up the river to the famous bridge. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Babcock State Park

Babcock State Park features an operational grist mill in a picturesque setting on Glade Creek. This is an ideal spot for photography and a picnic. There’s a visitor center with a gift shop and restrooms. The campground is a few miles from the main part of the park.

Adjacent to the Grist Mill is the trailhead for the Island in the Sky Hike. This out-and-back 0.8-mile hike includes a steep ascent to a stone hut and partially-obscured views into the surrounding valley. We used this hike as a much-needed “leg stretcher” since there’s a lot of driving involved with sightseeing in the area. It’s a fun hike!

Boley Lake, an 18-acre lake about 0.5-miles from the Grist Mill, has a trail surrounding it for hiking or shore fishing.

Little Beaver State Park

This state park has a grand entrance, with its beautiful lake and spillway. There is a campground and plenty of recreational activities, including more than 20 miles of hiking trails.

Hinton, WV

Hinton is a small town near the southern end of New River Gorge National Park. It sits in a delightful location on the east shore of the New River. The small town is a vacation and fishing destination and has a few good restaurants.

Stop by the Bluestone Dam, just upriver from the town of Hinton. This dam forms the picturesque Bluestone Lake, which offers many camping and recreational activities. Bluestone State Park offers cabins for rent, and boat rentals are available nearby at Bluestone Lake Marina.

For a quick treat, stop into the Dairy Queen just on the other side of the river from the town of Hinton. This DQ location has large windows looking out on the river and town.

Places to Stay near New River Gorge National Park

We stayed at the Tru by Hilton in Beckley, WV, which was new and modern, and offers complimentary breakfast. You can find many of the normal hotel chains in Beckley. Alternatively, you can stay in a bed-and-breakfast, rent an Airbnb, or stay in a cabin at a state park such as Bluestone State Park.

Places to Eat near New River Gorge National Park

Campestre Mexican Bar and Grill in Beckley offers an extensive menu including fajitas, salads, and the usual Mexican fare in a warm atmosphere.

Pasquale’s is a Beckley institution serving good Italian food for over 55 years. We were seated immediately when we ate here on a cold, rainy November weeknight.

For coffee and pastries, visit the Chocolate Moose. This coffee shop feels like a home, with a variety of comfy seating areas and a fantastic menu.

Grandview Diner

The Grandview Diner is located about 5.5 miles from the Grandview area of New River Gorge National Park and is famous for hot dogs and burgers, but also serves breakfast and strong coffee. Locals eat here.

Shopping

Tamarack Marketplace

Tamarack Marketplace is a large facility where local artisans and craftsmen sell products such as local honey, apple butter, salsas, paintings, pottery, and quilts. It takes about an hour to see everything here. There’s also a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Of Further Interest

Mary Draper Ingles – Follow the River Book

If you like to read, check out Follow the River by James Alexander Thom, the true account of Mary Draper Ingles, a white settler who was kidnapped by Shawnee in 1755. The book is the page-turning account of her time in captivity, losses, escape, and her incredible journey back to her home. Reading stories set in a destination before or after traveling lends a depth of understanding to your trip and to the place. I recommend this book, although it is full of unbelievable suffering and pain, and at times, tedious.

West Virginia Instagrammable Views

West Virginia Tourism has installed swings at scenic spots throughout the state. The handmade swings are situated in amazing places, making them great for your social media posts. The full list can be found here.

Route and Itinerary

Download as a KML file and use in Google Maps, Google My Maps, OpenMaps, or other mobile apps. Start from the full screen view of the map.