Your Ultimate Guide to America’s New(est) National Park, New River Gorge

Many people wouldn’t guess that tucked in the heart of Appalachia is a national park known for rolling hills rich with life, the second oldest river in the world, and incredible rock formations. New River Gorge National Park, known as “the New” by locals, is located in West Virginia, just a few hours from Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks. And what a fitting name that is. 

This beautiful landscape is the newest national park in the U.S., and between its rocky cliffs, its famous bridge, and its world-class whitewater, there’s a lot to see and do. Here’s everything you need to know about planning your visit to New River Gorge National Park.

The Basics of ‘The New’

At the end of 2020, New River Gorge National River was upgraded to New River Gorge National Park. This change increased the protections the area has and added approximately 1,000 acres of protected land surrounding the river itself.

The New River is the second oldest river in the world, and it flows northbound. The area surrounding the river is home to unique animal species like the red eft, black bears, and bald eagles, and its forests are rich with plant life and fungi. The New is home to the greatest plant biodiversity in Appalachia compared to any other similar ecosystem, with habitats that include rhododendrons and other wildflower species, amongst other varying plant types throughout the park.

The park is extremely connected to its local urban area of Fayetteville, which is known locally and beyond as the “coolest small town.” Fayetteville is quite cool, with lots of local restaurants, events, and gear shops for outdoor enthusiasts located right downtown. You will drive through Fayetteville while navigating between many areas in the park. In fact, this isn’t the type of park where you drive through an entrance station and are suddenly surrounded by the park itself. Most of the park is located very close to the river itself, which means you’ll be navigating urban areas quite a bit while traveling between scenic locations.

Speaking of this park’s urban connection, one of the things New River Gorge is most famous for is its bridge. The New River Gorge Bridge is known as the longest arch bridge in North America. The bridge is so famous, it even has its own holiday: Bridge Day. This is the only day of the year when people can walk on the bridge, and BASE jumpers are allowed to jump from its height (with a permit of course).

The park has a deep human history as well. The National Park Service not only preserves natural history but also works to keep cultural history alive. New River Gorge is the traditional land of the Cherokee, Tutelo, S’atsoyaha, and Moneton people, and descendants of these tribes still carry out traditions on and near the river. In the late 1800s, the New became home to a growing coal mining industry, and you can still visit relics from the mining days during your visit, including Thurmond, Nuttallburg, and Kaymoor.

Plan Your Visit and Activities

It’s important to have certain travel information lined up before you enter a national park. All eight campgrounds in the park are undeveloped, primitive campgrounds, and as of November 2023, they are free, first-come, first-served campsites. There are also developed campgrounds nearby, if you desire a little more from your camping experience. The American Alpine Club offers a developed campground popular with climbers visiting the area. If camping isn’t your thing, there are hotels in nearby towns of Fayetteville, Oak Hill, and Beckley, and resorts nearby as well, such as ACE Adventure Resort, which offers developed camping, and cabins. 

New River Gorge is also one of the most dog-friendly parks in the country, with 100% of trails being accessible to dogs on leash. Here are some of my recommendations for things to do in the New.

See the Bridge via the Visitor Center

If you’re visiting New River Gorge National Park, chances are, you want to see the New River Gorge Bridge. One of the most accessible viewpoints for the bridge is located at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. This makes for a great first stop during your trip here, and the visitor center itself is a great place to go for information, a gift shop, and some museum exhibits about the park.

Hiking

Most people expect to be able to do some hiking when they visit a national park, and there are plenty of trails throughout New River Gorge. Many trails here are on the shorter side, and there aren’t a ton of trails that have a lot of serious elevation gain, making this a fairly accessible park for beginner hikers.

The most popular trail in the park is the Endless Wall Trail, which has two different starting points for you to get to the main viewpoint. This is also a popular climbing destination, so make sure you don’t knock or throw anything from the cliff, because there are likely climbers below you.

For one of the best views of the bridge, check out Long Point Trail. This one is slightly harder than Endless Wall, and the viewpoint can get crowded in the summer months, but for an iconic picture of the famous bridge, this is one of the best views you can get.

If you’re interested in checking out some of the local mining history, visit the Kaymoor area. The most popular trail in this area is the Kaymoor Stairs, also known as the Kaymoor Miners Trail, which leads down to the Kaymoor Coal Mine Site via a whopping 821 stairs. (Just remember, if you hike down, you’ll have to hike back up!)

Whitewater

One of the things New River Gorge is most known for is its world-class whitewater. Whitewater enthusiasts travel from all over just to experience rafting or kayaking on the New River. Rapids range from Class I to Class V on the New River, and trips generally range from half-day to two-day overnight trips.

There are two sections of the New River that you can explore during your trip to the park: the Upper New and the Lower New. The Upper New is easier rapids, generally for beginners or families traveling with young kids. The Lower New contains rapids up to Class V and will make for the perfect adventure for thrill seekers.

There are a lot of different whitewater rafting guide services that can help you down the river safely. The most popular river outfitters in the area are ACE Adventure Resort and Adventures on the Gorge, and both will have options for trips down both the Upper and Lower New River.

Climbing

For visitors to the New, there are two things you should try while you’re in the park: whitewater rafting and rock climbing. New River Gorge National Park is home to some of the best climbing on the east side of the U.S. The rock here is Nuttall Sandstone, extra-hard sandstone that’s mostly quartz. This rock makes for some incredible rock climbing—from low-to-the-ground bouldering to traditional or trad climbing, which involves placing protection in cracks in the rock as climbers ascend.

If you’re interested in trying out rock climbing for the first time while you’re in the park, there are many outfitters who run climbing trips. New River Mountain Guides, Adventures on the Gorge, and ACE Adventure Resort all run unique climbing and rappelling trips throughout the park.

Other Activities

There is plenty more to do here. One of the most popular excursions is the famous “Bridge Walk,” where visitors are able to take a guided walk across the underside of the New River Gorge Bridge. For those of you scared of heights, don’t worry—you’re wearing a harness the whole time.

Kayaking or paddleboarding in the nearby Summersville Lake State Park is another great option for outdoor lovers, and Hawks Nest State Park is a great destination to add to your itinerary for more views and whitewater. In fact, for whitewater enthusiasts, I suggest visiting during Gauley Season—a period of time in the late summer and early fall when you’re able to raft the Gauley River. 

The Gauley River National Recreation Area has some of the most difficult whitewater in the world when Summersville Dam is opened at the end of summer. These rapids are more difficult than anything you’ll find on the New River, and they even feature a 14-foot waterfall in the middle of the river named Sweets Falls.

From world-class whitewater to mining history and incredible rock climbing, New River Gorge National Park has a little something for everybody. Its biodiversity sets it apart from other nearby parks, and its riparian landscape makes it a truly unique travel destination. Located in the heart of Appalachia, this is a national park that adventure enthusiasts just can’t miss.

Source: https://outdoors.com/guide-to-new-river-gorge/