New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Discover the breathtaking beauty of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia, USA. This remarkable park is known for the dramatic New River cutting through lush, forested landscapes, creating one of the East Coast's most stunning vistas. The gorge, with its steep sandstone cliffs, offers world-class rock climbing, hiking, and a range of outdoor adventures.
The New River is one of the world's oldest rivers, renowned for its whitewater rafting opportunities with rapids ranging from Class II to V. The surrounding forests host diverse wildlife, including deer, birds, and an array of native plants. The iconic New River Gorge Bridge spans 3,030 feet, offering panoramic views and a thrilling backdrop for photography enthusiasts.
Established as a National Park in 2020, this preserve combines natural wonder with a rich cultural history, including remnants of coal mining towns from the 19th century. Visit to experience the beauty and history of this dynamic landscape.
Unleash your spirit of adventure at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve today!
Adventure Guide
Rock Climbing at Endless Wall
Location: Endless Wall, New River Gorge
- Special Feature: Over 500 climbing routes on stunning sandstone cliffs.
- Amenities: Free parking and well-marked trails.
- Local Insight: This is a top climbing destination for enthusiasts worldwide.
- Visitor Tips:
- Best visited in spring or fall.
- Bring climbing gear and plenty of water.
- Accessible via a 15-minute hike from the Fern Creek Trailhead.
Whitewater Rafting on the New River
Location: Lower Gorge, New River
- Special Feature: Exciting rapids from Class III to V.
- Amenities: Guided tours available from local outfitters.
- Local Insight: Ideal for thrill-seekers and adventure tours.
- Visitor Tips:
- Go from April to October.
- Wear protective gear and sunscreen.
- Drive via US Route 19, approximately 30 minutes from Fayetteville.
Hiking the Long Point Trail
Location: Long Point Trail, New River Gorge
- Special Feature: Stunning views of the New River Gorge Bridge.
- Amenities: Trail is well-maintained with clear markers.
- Local Insight: The 3.2-mile round trip is perfect for all skill levels.
- Visitor Tips:
- Ideal in morning or late afternoon.
- Wear sturdy shoes and carry a camera.
- Trailhead is accessible from Highway 19, roughly 10 minutes drive from Fayetteville.
Rating:
8.9
LaunchPad Value: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is a significant destination for its remarkable geological features and diverse outdoor activities. While it doesn't hold the unique formations found in the top 10 of global landmarks, its stunning landscapes and adventure opportunities make it an exceptional visit.#RockClimbing #Rafting #Hiking #WestVirginia #NewRiverGorge #NationalPark #Adventure
Recommend Local Adventure Experts
Reviews
Doug Hastie
4 months ago
Interesting story about the gorge and the bridge. Park Ranger at Visitor center encouraged us to take the old road under the bridge which was very cool. Wife got all the pics of the bridge and mine are from Sandstone Falls on the New River, about an hour from the bridge. The river was swollen from remnants of hurricane Helene and the folks along the river were thankful the dam held upstream or this area would have been underwater!
NR Hackney
3 months ago
Simply beautiful. Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Breathtaking views, great hiking, photographer's dream for nature shots. Birds and other wildlife in abundance, and very well maintained wood stairs to access a phenomenal view of the bridge and river gorge.
Amy K
a week ago
Beautiful place. Unable to go to the bottom of the gorge due to the weather when I visited. But for the season it still had beautiful views from the top. The museum was very nice and had a lot of information as well as very friendly and helpful staff.
B H
a week ago
We were only able to spend one full day at the park, but we filled our day and didn't feel overwhelmed at all. We started at the bridge overlook and visitors center. Must stop if you are there! Then, we hiked the Endless Wall trail. Great views, easy hike. From there, we went down to Thurmond and walked the town and museum. Another great point of interest! After that, we went to Grand View, did a little hiking, and went into the visitor center. Maybe the best view in the park. Ended our day at Sandstone Falls and visitor center. Great area to walk around and explore. Even though it was only one day in the park, I felt as though we saw and experienced the park and had a great time doing it. Learned a lot, definitely go back!!
Vincent Lam
3 months ago
New River Gorge is an amazing national park. We drove here from Ohio. The good scenery on the way made my hours driving less boring. Once getting in the park area, we started driving along the river. Some fall spots were also near the way. I was feeling the sky was open when driving onto the bridge. This national park is friendly for drivers. This national park is huge built along the river. It takes almost 1 hours driving from one visitor center to one attraction spot on the other side. Anyway, there are many attractions and interesting activities such as rafting and bridge walking. The large bridge is the symbol of this park. We only had one day time, so we only did several short hikes and enjoyed the gorge view. Definitely we will try its famous rafting adventure next time.