It's after spring break but before summer vacation, meaning it's a pretty quiet time of year; my husband Elliot and I often had trails and overlooks all to ourselves. We were able to take a family rafting tour on the Lower New River with our 10-year-old (who absolutely LOVED it), which would not have been possible in spring (higher age limits then). Pack it in, Pack it out. For us, this drive was worth it to say we made it to Gauley River NRA. Stay tuned for Grants upcoming article with more details on these adventures! (You can book a similar trip here, or directly with any of the local outfitters like ACE, Adventures on the Gorge, West Virginia Adventures, or River Expeditions.). The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the highest bridges in the U.S. and is one of the main attractions in the national park. Winter is the parks quietest time of year. Read More. A Dangerous Business is a participant in several affiliate programs. There are 9 camping areas, plus backcountry sites, within New River Gorge National Park. Youll likely need another day if you also want to do some hiking or other activities below. River Expeditions Whitewater Rafting. New River Gorge was, at one time, among the largest producers of coal in the United States. 2. But what if you could move to the Mountain State and actually get paid to do it? 3. The changing leaves put on a spectacular display come fall, especially during mid and late-October. For parties with 3-6 guests, I highly recommend the 1904 Townhouse (also on VRBO). We started with the Pizza Skins, which is basically just a pizza styled as potato skins. All the activities and camp resorts are open and running, and it's the time of year when you're likely to find more crowded trails and less lodging options (especially if you're planning to visit on the weekend). New River Gorge Bridge & River. The park service directions state to watch for a break in a stone wall. In actuality, the site is just after the end of the stone wall. The forests here don't change all at once like in some other parts of the country, but that just means there's a longer display of fall foliage here. We just want full hook-ups if we are camping for more than a few days our tanks can only hold so much! Note: the road to Nuttallburg is narrow, winding and remote. Box 246, 104 Main Street Glen Jean , WV 25846 Phone: 304-465-0508 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve - West Virginia Before you leave the visitor center, be sure to check out the views of the New River Gorge Bridge. Note: the Fern Creek parking area is relatively small and the lower trailhead is not much bigger. I would also check out Harpers Ferry, for good trails, tubing, history, cute town, etc. A historic RR town, Thurmond recaptures the days when steel rails, steam, and coal were the major themes in our nation's history. Human waste may not be buried within 200 feet or in sight of any trail, road, parking lot, developed area, campsite, cliff or rock formation, climbing route or climbing area, water source or the high water mark of any stream, whether intermittent or not. This bridge is incredible in person and . Its a pretty impressive bridge for sure! There are climbing routes accessible in several areas at least 1,400 of them, according to the National Park Service including some right off the popular Endless Wall Trail. Yes, it is worth the effort to walk down to that overlook if you can. One of the coolest features is a river map on the floor, showing the greater New River watershed. While I do enjoy whitewater rafting, this river sounds a bit more technical than I am prepared for. We stayed at the Lafayette Flats, which offers four modern apartments in a historic bank building. No spam. Still, we didnt have time to do much other than just check out the visitor center and a few scenic drives. 50. from $53/night. The sandwiches were delicious (loaded Chicken Salad Croissant and Smoked Turkey, Bacon, Avocado Panini) and the atmosphere really was unique. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides a variety of different trails throughout the park. More Information For Your West Virginia Vacation: download the transcript for free through the NPS website, Family Rafting In New River Gorge National Park, Zipline Tour near New River Gorge National Park, The Best Things To Do In Charleston, West Virginia, Colorado National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim: One Day Here, Rocky Mountain National Park: One Day Guide, Canyonlands National Park: Best Things To Do, National Park Gift Ideas: Perfect For National Park Lovers. We opted for just a couple of appetizers, a pint for Grant and a flight for me. We enjoyed lunch here after our hike at Long Point. You can also download the transcript for free through the NPS website. The park protects 53 miles of the New River, meaning it is quite stretched out along the river. The closest major airport is about an hour drive away in West Virginia's capital, Charleston. I probably wouldnt recommend it for the average visitor, though. We stayed in Fayetteville, which has a large number of local restaurants. For New River Gorge National Park, it really just depends on how active you want to be. Located in the southern half of West Virginia is the nations newest national park,New River Gorge. All rights reserved. You can also learn about more modern history at the New River Gorge, which includes the history of coal mining and the railroads. As Americas newest National Park, I expect that the rest of the country will quickly figure out what the locals already know: there are plenty of great things to do at New River Gorge National Park. 11 Outdoor Things to Do in the New River Gorge (WV) - sightDOING To get from place to place, you will do a fair amount of driving, so it takes several days to thoroughly explore this park. Things to Do In and Around New River Gorge National Park New River Gorge was first a national river. Be sure to get a detailed map of the drive, which starts just north of the visitor center. Glen Jean, But this just meant that each new discovery of an amazing view or adorable town or interesting tidbit of history was both surprising and exciting. This is the best information I have ever seen on any travel site. I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. It may not have been gourmet, but it was a really good Southern biscuit sandwich, and thats really all we wanted! I can imagine locals were quite pleased when their 45 minute gorge-crossing was cut down to less than 1 minute. During our most recent visit, we camped at Rifrafters in Fayetteville. Below are some of the best viewpoints of the bridge: Adventure seekers should consider walking the bridge! Im sure the locals love that. Trails range from a quarter mile, up to 7 miles and many can be looped together to create longer excursions. Spring through fall is the most popular time to visit New River Gorge National Park. Again, we are glad we made it to that park and were able to do something. Thus, we often question just how fitting a particular designation is. Places To Go. If youre looking to stretch your legs, there are many different hiking trails at New River Gorge National Park. The trail runs through a forest and along the cliff edge until it ends at Diamond Point Overlook. Personally, we are perfectly ok with that there is no need to spend money to replace something that doesnt need replacing! The most popular trails in the New River Gorge include: These are just a small selection of trails you can hike in the New River Gorge. This building features sustainable design and exhibits focus on the natural and cultural history of the area. The News lower section, which has class III-V rapids, is the most popular and best for adventure seekers only. Take in scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge, the most photographed attraction in West Virginia. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9f7fe890a26f9480749309d54070dea" );document.getElementById("j4778b3794").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are Grant and Bonnie Sinclair, a couple of 40-something teachers with a passion for travel. You covered everything and I took lots of notes. Well before its designation as a national park, New River Gorge was known for excellent whitewater rafting. Here's a look at some of the must-dos here: This part of West Virginia is known for its exciting whitewater rafting trips; the local outfitters will tell you that the area is home to some of the best whitewater in the country and who am I to argue? Surrounding New River Gorge National Park, there are a number of state parks and two other National Park Service sites (Bluestone National Scenic River and Gauley River National Recreation Area), meaning almost all the land along the river is protected. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. The New River Gorge is dotted with a bunch of small mountain towns, and you can actually find some great food in many of them! From there, we got a large pizza, 1/2 Nashville Hot Chicken and 1/2 Chicken Gouda. The second oldest river in the world continues to carve its way northward through the Appalachians, deepening and widening what is already the deepest and longest gorge . According to the map, the trail does rejoin the river eventually, but we didnt go that far. The Best Things To Do at New River Gorge: Hiking, History & More This is the trip Elliot and I did, on a cold and wet Monday morning in May. After our week-long visit, we are ready to share the best things to do at New River Gorge National Park with you! The upper section of the New River is calmer and suitable for families with children and those looking for a relaxed ride. There are places that offer the excitement of white-water rafting or rock climbing, to places more suited for relaxation and reflection. For more options, check out the NPS hiking guide to the park. Thanks! We saw lots of doggos hiking with their owners when we were there. From there, we followed the road west to loop north to Hwy 39 and back to Fayetteville. The upper New River offers fairly calm rapids, while the lower New River offers a more adventurous experience. As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Grandview Overlook and Grandview Rim Trail offer the best vantage points of the picturesque bend. The program was started in 2020 by Marshall University President Brad D. Smith with the backing of Governor Jim Justice, the states Department of Tourism, West Virginia University and others. The largest nearby city is Beckley, with a population of about 17,000. June 13, 2023 by Bonnie Located in southern West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve became America's 63rd National Park on December 27, 2020. Ive been through it 5 times for a reason. The John Henry statue stands at the entrance to the Great Bend Tunnel, which is no longer in service, just east of the town of Hinton. Experience one-of-a-kind views on a scenic tram ride. Elliot and I had three full days in the park and probably could have used a fourth, but still managed to tick just about everything off our to-do list! Thanks for your support! Assuming you're staying more than one day, there are several different lodging options at New River Gorge National Park. Tudors Biscuit World has a few locations in the area and offers a variety of breakfast biscuits and platters, along with lunch and dinner. No An official form of the United States government. What to do in New River Gorge National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. Things To Do at the New River Gorge Whether you are into outdoor activities such as climbing, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, or just like to enjoy a picnic, a quite bit of birding, or camp and watch the river roll by, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has much to offer. Once you've looked around the visitor center, the next step is to check out the famous New River Gorge Bridge. Respect the rights of others. New River Gorge National Park: Where to Stay, What to Do, & More Youll wear a safety harness as you make your way across the 3,030-foot-long and two-foot-wide steel catwalk. We entered through Bluestone State Park. Photo courtesy Ed Rehbein. You won't find any luxury national park lodges here, but there's accommodation to suit most travel styles. The New River Gorge is a really beautiful place, and of course you'll want to enjoy some of the views! Things are quiet here in the winter, and a lot of things close from November-April. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides a variety of different trails throughout the park. 62. from $129/night. Still, its a nice facility and the outdoor space would have been fantastic on a warm, sunny afternoon.