New River Gorge Bridge & River. Read the sites full Privacy / Disclosure policy here. Thanks again for all the great information you shared! The scenic drive is an opportunity to experience the parkits gorge and its river. There is a parking area here that allows you to view the dam and access the water. 15 reviews New River Gorge, Fayetteville, WV 25840 0.1 miles from New River Gorge Bridge New River Gorge #9 of 784 things to do in West Virginia 220 reviews WV 0.4 miles from New River Gorge Bridge Book a Tour New River Gorge ATV Adventure Tour from $179.49 More Info New River Gorge Side by Side Family Tour from $405.13 More Info See All We love reading your feedback! At some places, the walls of the gorge . To understand travel before the bridge was built and enjoy close-up views of the gorge and river, be sure to drive Fayette Station Road. Tip: The visitor centers offer an audio tour CD. Please do, it is a country with many facets. The New River Gorge is dotted with a bunch of small mountain towns, and you can actually find some great food in many of them! FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va.Visiting America's newest national park? Gary Hartley. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve - What to See and Do Plan for an additional day or two if you wish to participate in outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting or rock climbing. My name is Amanda, and I'm a former journalist-turned-blogger from Ohio who's been writing about travel since 2010. Between the river, mountains and various towns it is not always easy to get from one area of the park to another. Ive been through it 5 times for a reason. Cathedral Cafe, also in downtown, is housed in a renovated church. Canyon Rim Visitor's Center and Bridge Overlook. Visitor Centers Begin your trip to the park by stopping at one of the park's four visitor centers. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve - West Virginia 2. If you're thinking of planning a trip to New River Gorge National Park this year and aren't sure what to do or how long to spend there, I've got you covered. If you'd prefer a cabin rental in the area, here are a few that look great: If you'd prefer a standard hotel stay near the New River Gorge, then your best bet is to stay in the town of Beckley, about 25 minutes to the south of the New River Gorge Bridge. We stayed at the Lafayette Flats, which offers four modern apartments in a historic bank building. Congress originally established the park in 1978 as New River Gorge National River. The last installment of $2,000 will be paid at the end of the second year. You CAN of course visit the New River Gorge in the winter, but it's probably the only season I wouldn't really recommend if you want to book a lot of the outdoor activities the area is known for. The second oldest river in the world continues to carve its way northward through the Appalachians, deepening and widening what is already the deepest and longest gorge . Must-See Sights at New River Gorge National Park, Best Hiking Trails at New River Gorge National Park, Adventures at New River Gorge National Park, Other Things to Do at New River Gorge National Park, When to Visit New River Gorge National Park, Where to Stay at New River Gorge National Park, Where to Eat Near New River Gorge National Park, Final Thoughts on New River Gorge National Park. This is a great way to learn about the park while exploring the sites. They also have a few cabins if you dont own a camper. This isnt available in any other U.S. national park, so its definitely one of the most unique things to do in New River Gorge! Note: this drive includes several hairpin turns and a low-clearance bridge, so is not suitable for RVs and trailers. Still, its a nice facility and the outdoor space would have been fantastic on a warm, sunny afternoon. The show is 100% community funded and free to watch. The remaining 13-mile-stretch from the springs to where it meets its larger sibling is also the river's best-known portion, the Little Colorado River Gorge. The area - which spans more than 70,000 acres - has long been a playground for . Beckley, West Virginia Is Full Of Things To Do Near The New River Gorge Did You Know? You'll need a car to explore the park anyway, so you may as well fly into somewhere easy, and then just drive from there. There's no shortage of hiking, scenic overlooks, and wildlife, as is the typical fare in America's National Parks. You can also hike to the Nuttall coal mine entrance, coke ovens, and old coal tipple in the abandoned mining town of Nuttallburg (the second mining town established in the gorge), or traverse a few hundred steps down to the Kaymoor mine site on the Kaymoor Miners Trail. Despite its name, the New River is actually one of the oldest rivers on the planet. Youll likely need another day if you also want to do some hiking or other activities below. Grab a lunch and a local brew in Fayetteville. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Drive Fayette Station Road. About a 1/4-mile before the end, youll reach the steepest part of the trail, as it descends to the overlook. Best things to do around new river gorge National Park? travelwithserenas / Tripadvisor. FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA) - We pay for things every day: $5 or more for a cup of coffee; $10 for a movie. Grandview Overlook and Grandview Rim Trail offer the best vantage points of the picturesque bend. I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. Expect to spend at least an hour if you stop at the exhibits, walk across the Fayette Station Bridge for views of the new bridge or walk down to the river. As such, this is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. More Information For Your West Virginia Vacation: download the transcript for free through the NPS website, Family Rafting In New River Gorge National Park, Zipline Tour near New River Gorge National Park, The Best Things To Do In Charleston, West Virginia, Colorado National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim: One Day Here, Rocky Mountain National Park: One Day Guide, Canyonlands National Park: Best Things To Do, National Park Gift Ideas: Perfect For National Park Lovers. 16 Top Things to Do in West Virginia - U.S. News Travel The New River Gorge is (not surprisingly) focused around the river carving through the local Nuttall sandstone. New River Gorge National Park has ample outdoor recreational activities to offer, whether you favor thrilling outdoor activities like climbing, bicycling, hiking, or whitewater rafting, or simply enjoy a picnic, tranquil bird watching, or camping while watching the river flow past. The trails available consist of park service trails that are marked and maintained, trails within lands administered by state parks, and undeveloped trails and abandoned roads. Within a distance of one-quarter of a mile from a restroom or pit toilet facility, human body waste must be appropriately disposed of in such facilities. P.O. If you love outdoor adventure, youll love Bridge Day. We enjoyed dinner here our last night and it was a great way to end the week! Its one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia and youll find its image on the West Virginia state quarter. Directions Directions to visitor centers and other park locations. We stopped in before ziplining and really enjoyed our massive breakfast sandwiches! From either trailhead, it is about a 2-mile roundtrip hike to the main overlook at Diamond Point. Below are some of the best viewpoints of the bridge: Adventure seekers should consider walking the bridge! (Note that these are in two different sections of the park.). West Virginia does not have any large airports itself, but the New River Gorge is easy driving distance from major hubs like Pittsburgh, PA (3.5 hours); Charlotte, NC (4 hours); and Washington, DC (4.5 hours). Elliot and I drove from where we live just outside of Cleveland, Ohio in about 5 hours. Wildflowers, wildlife, and historic objects all contribute to the beauty we came to see. We designed these routes to highlight some of this countrys best sites and made a point to take all of the legwork out of planning an excellent vacation to see these wonders. A few exhibit signs share more information about farming and living a life of self-sufficiency. This part of the river includes Class I-III rapids, which are relatively small and easy rapids. Whether or not you care about the horseshoe-shaped curve in the river, this overlook is excellent and well worth a stop while exploring New River Gorge National Park. You will certainly find that at New River Gorge National Park. The 83-mile route includes interstates, divided highways, and two-lane roads. The drive itself is great and youll get wonderful views of the bridge and river along the way. If you're looking for an itinerary, here's what I would suggest: If you only have one day to dedicate to New River Gorge National Park, then I would make sure to do everything listed under Day 1 in the itinerary above: Visit the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and see the New River Gorge Bridge up close; tackle a hike like the Long Point Trail or the Endless Wall Trail (or both since they add up to just over 5 miles total); and drive the historic Fayette Station Road. Learn more about me here. Glen Jean, Celebrate the 4th of July in the New River Gorge - WV Cabins All campsites are free. You can book a ride in the upper section here: Family Rafting In New River Gorge National Park. Fayette Station Road offers great views of the river, bridge, and surrounding landscape. New River Gorge CVB says regions addition to Ascend WV program will benefit local economy, Faith Family Health cuts ribbon on new clinic, WV DHHR to begin accepting School Clothing Allowance applications - clipped version. The program was started in 2020 by Marshall University President Brad D. Smith with the backing of Governor Jim Justice, the states Department of Tourism, West Virginia University and others. The park offers breath-taking views from the rim of the gorge, a wide variety of plants and animals that make the park their home, and many historic sites that help tell the story of people in the area. Elliot and I stayed in a beautiful apartment rental in Fayetteville, and found it to be the perfect base for exploring the New River Gorge. "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. The News lower section, which has class III-V rapids, is the most popular and best for adventure seekers only. We recently had the pleasure of visiting this fantastic spot and had an amazing time. The hike took us about an hour, plus additional time taking pictures at the overlook. Also at Grandview, youll find a small, seasonal visitor center, a playground, picnic tables and plenty of space for the kids to run around and burn off some energy! Thus, we often question just how fitting a particular designation is. A lot of the rock climbing here is done by people who know what they're doing and who own their own gear, but if you want to try it out as a novice, there are tours you can book with several local outfitters. The Grandview area is located about 45 minutes south of Canyon Rim Visitor Center and about 20-30 minutes west of Sandstone Visitor Center. Today, the New River Gorge is a mecca for outdoor pursuits ranging from rock climbing to white water rafting, and my guess is that it's about to get some increased attention with its new national park status. Here's a look at some of the must-dos here: This part of West Virginia is known for its exciting whitewater rafting trips; the local outfitters will tell you that the area is home to some of the best whitewater in the country and who am I to argue? Summer is also when things get a bit hot and sticky in this part of West Virginia (the humidity is no joke! You can do the above activities with a half-day visit to New River Gorge National Park. Please see ourReview Policyfor more information. Both of these trails are located relatively close to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Where: Hood River Event Site, Portway Avenue, Hood River, Oregon What's going on: Hood River returns with its annual fireworks show in the Gorge. Freefolk Brewery Taproom is located just a few minutes from downtown and offers a small menu with several different brews. 5 Things To Do This Holiday Season In The New River Gorge - A 2022 New River Gorge National Park is free to all visitors. Overall, we enjoyed this hike and the views of the gorge are spectacular. Despite the abundance of hiking trails, two trails were consistently recommended as the best hiking trails at New River Gorge. Youll need at least 30-45 minutes for the drive itself. The Best Things to Do at New River Gorge National Park We visited in November and had a great time exploring the park. The Long Point Trail is another easy-moderate hike that is mostly forested as you make your way to the New River Gorge on the south side. There are several great places to learn about it: The New River Gorge was first discovered in 1671 during a fur trading expedition. The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the highest bridges in the U.S. and is one of the main attractions in the national park. Good writeup. Its a dangerous job, more than 20,000 West Virginia coal miners have died since record keeping began in 1883. Thanks so much for sharing your experience traveling there with you family, Sara! The bridge spans the impressive New River Gorge, which has been slowly sculpted over time by New River. seen some cool stuff about old mining stuff. Below is a list of places you may want to consider visiting during your time at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The Best Things to do at New River Gorge National Park Coming from the east, the road to Woods Ferry was unpaved but in generally good condition. The rafting season on the New River runs from mid-May through usually the beginning of October. Additionally, you can see the still-active railroad town of Quinnimont, where coal was first shipped out of the gorge in 1873. The New River Gorge National Park is located in southern West Virginia, about two hours from Huntington, WV and Roanoke, VA. Hundreds of people visit Red River Gorge each year to enjoy all the natural splendor the area has to offer. During our most recent visit, we camped at Rifrafters in Fayetteville. Be sure to allow extra time for stops and photos, there are parking areas throughout the drive. I seek to inspire people to be curious about the world and find ways to fit more travel into the lifestyle they already have - and I only share tips based on my personal experiences and places I've actually traveled! The sandwiches were delicious (loaded Chicken Salad Croissant and Smoked Turkey, Bacon, Avocado Panini) and the atmosphere really was unique. After our week-long visit, we are ready to share the best things to do at New River Gorge National Park with you! The Top Things To Do In New River Gorge National Park, Best Hikes In New River Gorge National Park. Photo courtesy Ed Rehbein. The first viewpoint is fully accessible. Our favorite spots included: We've covered almost everything there is to know about visiting the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, but here are a few last bits of essential info: New River Gorge National Park is FREE to visit; there are no entrance fees charged to enter the park. Things are quiet here in the winter, and a lot of things close from November-April. This bridge completely transformed travel in this area, reducing what was about a 45-minute drive down to about 45 seconds. Things to Do in Fayetteville WV | Quality Inn New River Gorge Yes, it is worth the effort to walk down to that overlook if you can. Fayetteville is the closest town, located just outside the park, but has limited lodging options. Plus, the weather is lovely this time of year. Average monthly temperatures in New River Gorge National Park: Since the park is large and spread out, youll need at least 2 days to see the highlights. We started with the Pizza Skins, which is basically just a pizza styled as potato skins. Still, we were in an extremely remote area with little to no cell phone service.