New River Gorge: A New National Park

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains in southern West Virginia lies New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which became America’s sixty-third national park in 2020.
The densely forested attraction encompasses more than 72,000 acres along fifty-three miles of the New River, a waterway that has been coursing through North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia for an estimated sixty-five million years. Featuring peaks reaching almost 3,300 feet, New River Gorge is a vacationers’ playground that offers many activities for nature enthusiasts and sightseers alike. And, if that isn’t enough, you can visit the several historical sites within the area and shop and dine in nearby idyllic small towns.

See the sights
Make your way to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, and stroll along its wooden boardwalk; the two observation decks offer jaw-dropping views of the New River Gorge Bridge, which towers a staggering 876 feet above the river and is the longest single-span steel-arch bridge in the country. You can also peruse the center’s exhibits and bookstore and treat yourself to a souvenir or two.

Once you’ve got your fill of the center, hop in your car for a drive on winding Fayette Station Road to the bottom of the gorge and then up the other side for amazing river and bridge scenery. There are many waterfalls throughout the park, and its most spectacular, the 1,500-foot-wide Sandstone Falls, is also accessible by car. Stop at the Sandstone Falls Overlook for a panoramic photo opportunity, or get a closer view from the locale’s boardwalk, which offers several observation decks.

There are also trails for hikers of all abilities; some of the best include the Endless Wall Trail for soaring vistas and the Long Point Trail to get a closer peek at the bridge. And if you like staring at the skies, there are plenty of optimal viewing areas for sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing.

Glimpse wildlife
New River Gorge boasts one of the most biodiverse forests on earth. More than 180 bird species can be found here, including songbirds, hummingbirds, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. Numerous butterfly species flit among the wildflowers, and various mammals like opossums and even black bears make their homes in the forest. You can also spot all sorts of amphibians and reptiles if you watch closely enough.

Be adventurous
For a daring jaunt, walk the entire span of New River Gorge Bridge’s underbelly on its two-foot-wide catwalk. (If peering at the river hundreds of feet below makes your heart pound, don’t worry—a safety harness protects you.) You can snap photos during your walk, and a shuttle will drive you back across the river after you’ve completed the trek. Or visit in October for Bridge Day, when the most daring individuals are permitted to BASE jump from the bridge, drawing thousands of spectators.

There are plenty of other exciting activities in and around the river, including fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, white water rafting, and hiking. For an adrenaline-fueled tour on the New River, drive north to Hawk’s Nest State Park for a thirty-minute jet-boat tour that will take you underneath the bridge and back again.

Brush up on history
History buffs may want to delve into the park’s coal-mining past.You can use the National Park Service app to embark on a self-guided African American Heritage Driving Tour, which includes stops at seventeen sites in and around the park where you can learn about the lives of the region’s Black coal miners and rail workers. Or follow the app’s tour of the nearby Thurmond ghost town, once a bustling railroad community dating back to the late nineteenth century. Stroll the streets to view its old homes and church, visit the rail station (now a visitor’s center) and still-active train line, and cross the river on the Thurmond Bridge.

Explore small towns
While Thurmond may be abandoned, there are many other thriving towns in the area.

After getting a taste of history, check out Hinton on the southern end of the park, where you can catch a show at the historic Ritz Theatre, enjoy a meal on the river on Kirk’s outdoor restaurant patio, or shop for clothing and home goods at Otter & Oak. Or head southwest of the New River Gorge Bridge to Fayetteville. This picturesque small town offers fine shops, delicious eateries like Pies & Pints and the Cathedral Cafe (housed in an old church), and beautiful historic buildings, including its prominent redbrick courthouse.

If you go
The accommodations here are as varied as the activities. You can book a room at one of the many hotels in the area or relax in a rented cabin, tree house, or tiny home. If you like to camp, stay for free at any of the park’s eight primitive campgrounds or reserve a campground outside the park, many of which come with full RV hookups.

New River Gorge is open twenty-four hours a day year-round, and it’s free to visit, unlike many national parks. However, now that the secret is out about this stunning locale, it may be bursting with visitors early this summer. So you might want to postpone your trip until the latter half of August, when crowds may be lighter as students return to school, or mid-October, when there will be even fewer crowds and fantastic foliage to boot.

For more info, visit nps.gov/neri

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