New River Gorge National Park is located in southern West Virginia, encompassing over 70,000 acres of stunning natural beauty. It was officially designated as a national park in December 2020, becoming West Virginia's first national park.
The park is known for its breathtaking river gorge, which is carved by the New River and stretches for about 53 miles. With its towering cliffs and lush forests, the New River Gorge offers spectacular views and numerous recreational opportunities for visitors.
Rich in history, the area was once home to Native American tribes, with evidence of early human presence dating back thousands of years. European settlers arrived in the 18th century and the gorge became an important transportation route during the era of coal mining and logging. The New River played a vital role in the development of the region's industries.
Visitors to New River Gorge National Park can engage in a wide range of activities. Hiking is a popular choice, with over 100 miles of trails that cater to all skill levels. Adventure seekers can go whitewater rafting or kayaking on the New River, offering thrilling experiences amidst the rugged scenery. Rock climbing is also a favorite activity, with miles of exposed cliff faces providing challenging routes for climbers of all abilities.
The park is home to an array of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats, and numerous species of birds. It is a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts who can explore the diverse ecosystems and enjoy bird-watching or wildlife photography.
Attractions nearby the New River Gorge National Park include the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, which stands as a symbol of engineering marvel and offers panoramic views of the valley. The nearby town of Fayetteville provides a charming downtown area with unique shops, restaurants, and craft breweries. Visitors can also explore the historic coal mining town of Thurmond, which offers a glimpse into the region's industrial past.
Overall, with its majestic river gorge, fascinating history, and abundance of outdoor activities, New River Gorge National Park offers a captivating experience for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and history buffs alike.
New River Gorge National Park is situated in the southern region of West Virginia, encompassing parts of Fayette, Raleigh, and Summers counties. Nestled within the Appalachian Mountains, this breathtaking national park is characterized by the iconic New River Gorge, which has carved its way through the surrounding landscape. The park's location boasts stunning natural scenery, abundant wildlife, and an array of outdoor recreational opportunities. With its picturesque views, rugged terrain, and rich biodiversity, New River Gorge National Park is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
104 Main StreetGlen Jean, WV 25846Driving DirectionsPhone: 304-465-0508Web: Link
The best time to visit New River Gorge National Park would be during the months of April, May, and June. These months offer pleasant temperatures ranging from 68°F to 81°F, allowing for enjoyable outdoor activities. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation during this period ranges from 4.2 to 4.7 inches, which is moderate but not excessive. Visiting during this time would provide the opportunity to fully experience the park without encountering large crowds, as visitor counts are relatively lower compared to the summer months.
Some of the activities you can do in New River Gorge National Park are: Astronomy Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Arts and Culture Biking Road Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Climbing Rock Climbing Hiking Front-Country Hiking Boating Canoe or Kayak Camping Fishing Backcountry Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Whitewater Rafting Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Self-Guided Tours - Auto Mountain Biking Group Camping RV Camping Freshwater Fishing Fly Fishing Stand Up Paddleboarding Theater Playground
Learn about these topics at New River Gorge National Park: Animals Birds Geology Arts Industry Laborer and Worker Native American Heritage Transportation Tragic Events Fish Tortoises and Turtles Fire River and Riparian Rock Landscapes and Features Trails Unique Species Mining Military US Army Watersheds African American Heritage Schools and Education Climate Change Forests and Woodlands Mountains Scenic Views Wars and Conflicts Deciduous Forests Rare Endangered Bridges Korean War Trains and Railroads Labor Movement Explosions Farming and Agriculture
Thurmond Depot is a restored railroad depot located in the historic railroad town of Thurmond. Open seasonally (typically Memorial Day to Labor Day), the Depot is an information center and a park store.
The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Thurmond Depot Visitor Center.
This campground offers both tent and RV campsites along the banks of the New River at one of its many horseshoe bends. There are 11 drive-in sites for RVs, campers, and tents. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Large RVs or campers are not recommended. Some sites offer partial shade; others are located in the open with no shade. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites is strictly prohibited.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Army Camp)
Total Campsites: 11
Toilets: Composting Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
This tent only campground is located on the banks of the New River near the Cunard River Access point and Southside Trailhead. It offers 4 walk-in tents sites and 1 tent-only drive-in site. There are no drive-in sites for RVs or campers at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Brooklyn Campground)
Total Campsites: 5
Toilets: Portable Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
Burnwood is located across Route 19 from Canyon Rim Visitor Center and offers group camping. This site is only for groups of 8 or more people and requires a Special Use Permit. For a permit for the group campsites, contact the permits office at 304-465-6517. Permits require a minimum of 10 business days after the application has been received.
Fees (US$): 75.00 (Burnwood Group Campsite)
Total Campsites: 1
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round
This forested campground offers both tent and RV sites near the banks of the New River and the Glade Creek Trailhead. There are 6 walk-in tents sites and 5 drive-in sites for tents, RVs, or campers. There is 1 accessible site. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites, walk-in sites, or any parking area is strictly prohibited.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Glade Creek Campground)
Total Campsites: 11
Toilets: Composting Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
This campground offers shaded wooded campsites near the banks of the New River. There are 10 wooded drive-in sites for RVs, campers, car camping, and tents; 6 walk-in tents sites; and 2 accessible sites by the river. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs are recommended due to the tight access road. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites, walk-in sites, or any parking area is strictly prohibited.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Grandview Sandbar)
Total Campsites: 16
Toilets: Composting Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
This tent-only primitive campground located along the New River is only one mile from the Sandstone Visitor Center. It offers 17 tent sites in an open field. There are no drive-in sites at this campground. The railroad crossing is dangerous for RVs and trailers. RV, trailer, or car camping is prohibited. Campers should expect to hear some noise such as train horns. There is a group site for groups of 8 or more available by permit - contact the permits office at 304-465-6517.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Camping Fees)
Total Campsites: 26
Toilets: Composting Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
This tent only campground located near the historic railroad town of Thurmond offers 7 walk-in sites, 5 on the sandy beach of the New River and 2 in the nearby forest. There are no drive-in sites at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. The Stone Cliff Trailhead also starts at the campground.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Camping Fee)
Total Campsites: 7
Toilets: Composting Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
This tent only campground is located near the community of Thayer along the banks of the New River. It has 4 walk-in sites. There are no drive-in sites at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. Alcohol is prohibited at this campground.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Thayer Campground)
Total Campsites: 4
Toilets: No Toilets
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
This is the only campground in the park that is not along the river. It is located on a ridgetop near Backus Mountain. There are 8 drive-in sites for tents, RVs, or campers. Only small (less than 25 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites or any parking area is strictly prohibited.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (War Ridge Campground)
Total Campsites: 8
Toilets: No Toilets
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water
Located in Oak Hill, Holiday Lodge Hotel & Conference Center is in a rural location, a 2-minute drive from Plateau Medical Center and 7 minutes from Whiple Company Store and Museum. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference space and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: US 19 & Oyler Ave, Oak Hill, West Virginia 25901
Web: Link
Located in Mount Hope, Days Inn by Wyndham Mount Hope is a 1-minute drive from Appalachian Bible College and 5 minutes from Tamarack Conference Center. Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Mount Hope? This hotel has facilities measuring 1500 square feet (139 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 127 Ontario Dr, Mount Hope, West Virginia 25880
Web: Link
With a stay at Quality Inn New River in Fayetteville, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and New River Gorge Bridge. Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. This hotel has 2 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 103 Elliots Way, Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840
Web: Link
When you stay at Comfort Inn New River in Fayetteville, you'll be near the airport and 5 minutes by car from Plateau Medical Center. Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 801 Mall Road, Fayetteville, West Virginia 25901
Web: Link
With a stay at The Morris Harvey House in Fayetteville, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and New River Gorge Bridge. Featured amenities include a business center and refrigerator in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 201 West Maple Avenue, Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840
Web: Link
With a stay at Hawks Nest State Park in Ansted, you'll be a 1-minute walk from Hawks Nest State Park and 10 minutes by foot from New River. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 49 Hawks Nest Park Road, Ansted, West Virginia 25812
Web: Link
Located in Hico, Country Road Cabins is in the mountains, within a 15-minute drive of New River Gorge Bridge and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1508 Sunday Road, Hico, West Virginia 25854
Web: Link
Located in Glen Ferris, Glen Ferris Inn is on the waterfront, within a 5-minute drive of New River and Gauley River. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and coffee/tea in a common area. This inn has 4 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 9022 Midland Trail, US Route 60, Glen Ferris, West Virginia 25090
Web: Link
Located in Victor, Opossum Creek Retreat is in the mountains, within a 10-minute drive of New River Gorge Bridge and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 239 Opossum Creek Retreat Rd, Victor, West Virginia 25862
Web: Link
With a stay at Wolfe Creek Studio Apt by Nancy K Homes in Fayetteville, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Plateau Medical Center and New River Gorge Bridge. Featured amenities include laundry facilities and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3200 Court Street, Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840
Web: Link
| Date issued | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-09 | Free Appalachian Music Performances and Ranger Talks in the National Park Staff at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve invite the public to experience the rich musical traditions of Appalachia at a special event on Sunday, September 28, at the Cliffside Amphitheater at Grandview. More |
| 2025-07-24 | New River Gorge NPP Releases a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures The National Park Service announces a decision and release of a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures Environmental Assessment. More |
| 2025-03-20 | New River Gorge NPP announces reopening of Cunard Road on March 24 Cunard river access and Brooklyn Campground to reopen More |
| 2025-01-22 | Friends of NRGNPP provide reward for information leading to conviction for vandalism to Long Point Trail The Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is providing an award for information leading to a conviction for vandalism along the Long Point Trail. More |
| 2024-12-02 | NPS Invites public to comment on proposal for Tailwaters Campground at Gauley River NRA The NPS is seeking public comments on proposed rehabilitation of Gauley Tailwaters Campground. More |
| 2024-11-06 | New River Gorge NPP Volunteers are riding the rails on Amtrak’s Cardinal NPS volunteers have been interacting with riders on the Amtrak Cardinal through New River Gorge NPP. More |