May 2, 2018 Discover beautiful, wild West Virginia with a trip to New River Gorge National Park. A forever explorer, Ann has traveled worldwide since 1974 for either business or personal reasons. Another must-see park destination, at scenic Sandstone Falls, the New River drops over a river-wide waterfall and through a network of small islands across which the park service he built a series of wheelchair-accessible boardwalks. In September, temperatures average a high of 71F and a low of 50F. There are also quite a few hiking trails but for the view, its just a short paved walk from the parking lot to the overlook. You can even see the route and map right here to move things around and take things out easily based on what you want to do. While difficult, this hike is a fascinating way to see an old mining town and get up close to the history of the area. Heading into our first rapid on the New River. I'm exploring the world one road trip at a time visiting as many national parks, state parks, and quirky roadside attractions as I can. Celebrate America's birthday in America's newest National Park. The ranger working during my visit was also so kind and loved answering questions about the ghost towns history. Icons by Niky Chopra. And compared to Great Smoky Mountains, its a less crowded national park. You wont find a national park lodge at New River Gorge. There are white water rafting options for all skill levels in the New River Gorge area. Spanning the river near Fayetteville, the bridge connects two mountains at 876 feet high the third-highest bridge in the U.S. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia. The experience lasts about two hours and involves walking across the bridge one way with a shuttle back to the office. The end point is Turkey Spur Rock, which is a large viewpoint area that allows you to see views in every direction. Grandview is also home to the Cliffside Amphitheatre, home of the historical outdoor dramas "Hatfields and McCoys" and "Honey in the Rock. The visitor center is two stories with a gift shop, restrooms and a nice museum with exhibits about the history. Temperatures are not extremely hot in the summer, with July averaging a high of 80 F and low of 60 F. Finally, New River Gorge stays open throughout the winter and temperatures rarely dip below the 20 's F. If you really want to avoid the crowds, winter could be a great time. Then on the west side of the river, there is an area to take your river raft in or out of the water. With permission from a farmer, we ended the amazing day creeping up a meadow to watch bobolinks zoom upward from nests hidden by prairie grass to catch insects, then gracefully circle our heads before dropping to feed their young. Gear up at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, hike to a gorge, and then work with a guide on technical skills such as belaying, climbing, and rappelling. The rangers here are incredibly helpful, and there are a. 20 Amazing Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park Julie Last updated: February 6, 2023 United States 7 Comments For millions of years, the New River has been carving out a 73,000 acre gorge in West Virginia. Vistas along the rim offer views of the sandstone walls of the gorge and the river below. Ive got some suggestions on what to do (or not do) based on what youre looking to see/do under this section. The small town of Fayetteville, West Virginia is the best area to stay when visiting New River Gorge. This trail provides views of the New River and Thurmond Ghost Town, which, during the boom of coal mining in the New River Gorge, was a prosperous town. New River Gorge National Park: Where to Stay, What to Do, & More 4.3 miles from New River Gorge Bridge. Start the day with breakfast at Swiftwater General Store in Lansing, where a small menu features pancake platters, biscuits smothered in gravy, and pepperoni rolls, a West Virginia specialty. As a result, in and just beyond the national park boundaries are some of the finest gems in our nation, cared for by West Virginians who adore their home. Best things to do at New River Gorge National Park Long Point Trail If youre sensitive to fragrance though, its not a good choice. The staircase has a few landings with signage to take a break. Hiking at New River Gorge - U.S. National Park Service I highly recommend the Airbnb that I stayed at, Five Springs Farm The home is a renovated guesthouse on a working farm operated by a retired landscape architect. But I think it would be a great way to conquer that fear if you want, as you are harnessed in and cant fall. A stop at any of the visitor centers will provide the most current trail conditions, wildlife and wildflower species viewable, and other pertinent information for your visit. It will be a jam packed day with a solid amount of driving so get started early! Fourth of July 2023: Where to find fireworks shows in Portland - kgw.com The 1.6-mile Grandview Rim Trail is among the most beloved trails in the park and follows the canyon rim alongside a series of spectacular overlooks. Click here to book your flight and car on Expedia!https://expedia.com/affiliate?landingPage=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expedia.com%2F%3Fsiteid%3D1%26langid%3D1033\u0026camref=1100lreoz\u0026creativeref=1100l68075Click here to book your hotel online!https://prf.hn/l/vyW1xwZClick here to book your VRBO!https://vrbo.prf.hn/l/WJXdm2qWelcome to New River Gorge National Park! An enigmatic stone face carved into mossy sandstone along the rim of the New River Gorge is attracting increased attention as tourism grows in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Photograph courtesy of Adventures on the Gorge. Join. Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. They have a good amount of vegan options and both indoor and outdoor seating. Located in the hub of the national park near the town of Clifton, Babcock State Park is best known for the photogenic Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functioning replica of the former Coopers Mill, once nearby. Currently on a road trip to 25 NPs (a lot more other NPS sites) this summer! My stay was so special and I really feel that this is the type of experience that Airbnb is made for. Everything You Need To Know About New River Gorge National Park Its a cool overlook but I like the other things on the list more and would definitely pick Sandstone Falls and that overlook over this. We headed into Monroe County south of the national park, a feast for eyes and a utopia for 170 species of birds. During the tour, you will get to learn about the bridge from your guide and even have the opportunity to sit and dangle your legs off the edge (this is optional!). The trail to Long Point descends downhill through a wooded path to reach an incredible view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Home to more than 70,000 acres of public lands, this park has been a hallowed spot for locals for centuries. THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near New River Gorge Bridge - Tripadvisor The best amusement park ride, roller coasters in Colorado - The Denver Post A mix of lodging options at Country Road Cabins in Hicoabout ten minutes from the Canyon Rim Visitor Centerinclude glamping tents, pet-friendly yurts, and a treehouse accessible by swinging bridge. You have one full day, morning to night, not just driving through and visiting. In Sandstone Falls State Park, the largest waterfall on the New River drops almost 25 feet around a series of boulders and islands. The restaurant's Biergarten has a ton of outdoor space with picnic tables and fire pits. The guesthouse is beautifully renovated using a lot of the materials of the house that previously stood here. I like theHawaiian Tropic Sheer Toucha lot AND its reef safe! As one of the oldest rivers on Earth, estimated between 3-360 million years old, the New River has carved out the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. The Best Things To Do at New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in NoMa. The New River Bridge is 3030 feet in length and 876 feet above the river below. Its a great hike but, again, way out of the way and there are hiking options at the overlook and Fayette Station Road. The show is 100% community funded and free to watch. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. There is no denying that New River Gorge National Park has a great deal to offer, and unique things are included in that. Things to do in New River Gorge National Park Thurmond was founded in 1873 and was an important train depot for coal and lumber. About one-third of the state is in the Appalachians Allegheny Range, with a dense and diverse forest clambering up and down its foothills. This article appears in the May 2023 issue of Washingtonian. "The Canyon Rim Visitor Center is certainly the best year-round orientation stop for the national park and a view of the bridge," Burr says. The Best Things to do at New River Gorge National Park The Fayette station road is long and will take up a couple hours of your day, so keep that in mind. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Do you want to go? New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides a variety of different trails throughout the park. Consult the fishing regulations before casting. Here's what to do there! New River Gorge National Park is pretty much right in the middle of the western half of West Virginia. Glad to learn about a new National Park. READ THE FULL STORY HERE. 9 Best Things To Do In Johannesburg, South Africa, 11 Quintessential Summer Cookout Essentials, 9 Reasons This West Virginia National Park Is A Perfect Getaway For The Whole Family, Rent A Private Island (With Cabin!) We didnt spend too much time here but its a nice view of the river way below. After a visit to New River Gorge National Park recently, I just had to share my experiences. Im going to list everything in the order I would recommend doing them. #3 of 14 things to do in Oak Hill. If you're lucky, you might get to see some people rafting or kayaking in the rapids. Sandstone Falls Boardwalk: 0.5 miles, rated easy. The park and preserve have a diverse ecosystem made up of Appalachian peaks, rivers, and forests, allowing for a wide range of activities. National Park & Preserve West Virginia NPS.gov Park Home Plan Your Visit Things To Do Things To Do Last updated: January 19, 2023 Was this page helpful? To keep the adventures going into the night, Adventures on the Gorge runs an aerial obstacle course with evening excursions. Celebrate the 4th of July in the New River Gorge - WV Cabins At the bottom, you can get up close to a collapsed building and other equipment. You will drive across the bridge to get around the area, but dont expect to be able to enjoy the views while driving. This is the perfect way to start your day if youre planning on doing the Fayette Station Road. My lunch at the cafe inside the lodge overlooking the valley was delicious. September 23, 2022 A First-Time Visitor's Guide to the New River Gorge National Park A visit to the U.S.'s newest national park means adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures, fall foliage, and craft beers. New River Gorge National Park has ample outdoor recreational activities to offer, whether you favor thrilling outdoor activities like climbing, bicycling, hiking, or whitewater rafting, or simply enjoy a picnic, tranquil bird watching, or camping while watching the river flow past. The Best Things to Do at New River Gorge National Park Kaymoor was one of the largest mining towns in New River Gorge and employed 800 miners at its peak. The trails available consist of park service trails that are marked and maintained, trails within lands administered by state parks . What I learned was that the New River Gorge has been a treasure since humans first saw it, and it has been lovingly protected ever since. There arent many viewpoints along the way, but its still a nice, peaceful trail full of plant life. You are attached to a wire by a harness the entire time, so there is no way you could fall. Im going to briefly interrupt with a fun geography fact quick: the western most point of Virginia is further west than the western most part of West Virginia. This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast 28 26 Photo courtesy Ed Rehbein. BUT if you want to spend less time in the car and more time hiking, I would keep the main overlook and take out the Fayette Station Road. Your tour guide provides commentary on the park, construction of the bridge, information on the area and much more along this leisurely 0.6-mile walk. Photo credit: Ann Bush. A seasonal attraction, the Thurmond Visitor Center opens in warm-weather months in the town's historic railroad passenger station. Her past articles can be found within the following publications: Family RVing (FMCA membership magazine); Inspired 55+ (Canada), EastWestNews Service; Lifestyles Magazine, InMagazine, The Tyler Loop, Texas Living, The City Paper Bogota and Bird Watchers Digest. It's free! Here are some things to know about the Bridge Walk: The Bridge Walk was definitely a highlight of my trip and I highly recommend doing it if you arent afraid of heights! Head to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for views of the gorge and information about the park. After a short hike through the forest, there are several viewpoints, the first main one being the Diamond Point Overlook. If you can manage two whole days in the park, that would be ideal because it will be very hard to do all of this in one day. 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Lodging possibilities are endless in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and beyond. Zipline at TimberTrek Adventure Park in West Virginia. The trail ends on high above the canyon, surrounded by sheer dropoffs, with views of an endless wall of rugged limestone cascading down to the pristine river. Im not 100% sure how long this road is, but if Im reading this map of it right, its about seven miles for the whole thing. - You can also zipline from the Bridges catwalk on this day only. Photograph courtesy of Adventures on the Gorge. There are plenty of activities available, such as hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, and bird watching.
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