New River Gorge
National Park
New River Gorge National Park, located in southern West Virginia, is the newest addition to the U.S. national park system, officially designated in 2020. The park is centered around the New River, one of the oldest rivers in North America, known for its rugged beauty and powerful whitewater rapids. Towering sandstone cliffs and dense forests provide a dramatic backdrop for outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, and rafting.
The iconic New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest single-span arch bridges in the world, is a highlight of the park. Rich in biodiversity and cultural history, the area also preserves remnants of old coal mining towns. With its mix of adventure, scenery, and heritage, New River Gorge National Park makes for an amazing trip!
New River Gorge At a Glance
New River Gorge National Park is completely free to visit.
New River Gorge National Park is located in southern West Virginia, within a day’s drive from 75% of the US population. West Virginia only has one major airport located in the capital city of Charleston. It’s only an hour and 15 minute drive away from the park, which is much closer than many!
The best times to visit are in the Summer or Fall. Summer is great if you want to go white water rafting since it will be warm. But Fall is gorgeous for the scenery and fall foliage! These are the two busiest times of the year, but the park never gets too busy to be enjoyable.
Reservations are not required to enter the park.
Different Areas of the Park
The park is broken up into three main areas, the Canyon Rim, Grandview, and Sandstone. Canyon Rim features gorge-ous views of the famous bridge and canyon, plus a visitors center.
The Grandview section of the park is located at its highest elevation, offering a breathtaking vantage point along the gorge’s edge. From this perch, visitors can enjoy a dramatic view that stretches nearly 1,400 feet down from the rim to the New River below.
The Sandstone Visitor Center acts as the gateway to the southern part of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, offering interactive exhibits that explore the natural and cultural history of the New River and its watershed.
7 Day West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary
Going on a West Virginia road trip? In this guide we’re sharing a West Virginia road trip itinerary, plus where to stay, when to visit, and more!
Videos
For our final adventure in West Virginia we’re exploring the New River Gorge, one of the most recommended spots for us to visit. Although the weather was not ideal, we still had a blast seeing the GORGEous views, eating at popular local restaurants, and seeing more fall colors.
