New River Gorge National Park – Camping, Trails & Best Tips

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 06/14/2023 National Parks, Tips for Trips, West Virginia

The New River Gorge in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia is one of the newest USA national parks. It was designated in 2020 to safeguard the area surrounding the river that shares the same name, which is a tributary to the Kanawha River. The park provides visitors with magnificent views of the gorge and the opportunity to go rafting down the river.

Information About New River Gorge National Park

The New River Gorge National Park was established on the site of the National River Conservation Area, which was designated by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The national park spans 53 mi of the river between the town of Hinton and Hawks Nest State Park, out of a total length of 320 mi. Increased efforts to provide more extensive protection for the area led to the formation of the national park, where activities such as hunting are prohibited.

Covering an area of 113 mi², New River Gorge is one of the smaller national parks. In 2021, it welcomed 1,682,720 visitors. The highest point is Swell Mountain, which peaks at 3,291 ft above sea level. In contrast, the lowest point is the New River itself, flowing at 886 ft above sea level.

The park is home to 65 species of mammals, the most common being the gopher, raccoon, opossum, fox squirrel, ash squirrel, and white-tailed deer. Among reptiles, the park is home to the map turtle, tortoise, various species of snails, and lizards. The New River hosts 89 species of fish, including the black sea bass, North American staghorn sculpin, broad-tailed nokomis, and Osburn’s candy darter. This orange-striped fish is unique to this location.

The river’s ravines are primarily populated by ferns and decorative grasses, with cedars and pines being the dominant tree species.

What to See and Do in New River Gorge National Park

Sightseeing Route by Car

The most time-efficient way to explore the national park is by car; the 83 mi New River Gorge Scenic Drive can be completed in about three hours without stops.

During the drive, you’ll pass by both visitor centers, see the sandstone walls of the gorge, coal mines, the New River Gorge Bridge, and the expansive Grandview overlook.

Hiking

Hiking in the New River Gorge National Park is ideally combined with a sightseeing tour by car. You can drive, walk, and then drive again. Detailed descriptions and maps of hiking trails are available on the park’s website. Here are a few noteworthy attractions:

• Endless Wall Trail
  This easy trail offers a beautiful view of the river cutting through the foliage. Just cover 2 mi in one direction to reach the Diamond Point Overlook. From the parking lot, you’ll walk through the woods to the path along the edge of the cliffs. The largest coal mine in the area was located near the trail in the late 1800s.
• Canyon Rim Boardwalk
  This short, wooden boardwalk trail is only 525 ft and consists of 178 steps. The end point offers a view of the canyon and the New River Gorge Bridge.
• Kaymoor Miners Trail
  This historically significant trail leads to the former Kaymoor Coal Mine. It’s roughly 1 mi in one direction, but if you want to see the coke oven, coal processing plant, and mining village for yourself, there are 821 steps to climb. If that doesn’t seem like enough, you can opt for the 9 mi long Kaymoor Trail.

New River Gorge Bridge

The most picturesque spot in the national park is the 3,031 ft-long New River Gorge Bridge.

It was opened on October 22, 1977, and held the title of the world’s longest single-arch bridge until 2003. Adding to the intrigue, with a roadway at 876 ft above the New River, it is one of the tallest road bridges outside of China.

A short walk behind the bridge takes you to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, where you can capture the best photos and park without any issues. Pedestrian access to the bridge is prohibited. The exception is the third Saturday in October, when Bridge Day is celebrated. On this day, the New River Gorge Bridge is closed to cars, and pedestrians can traverse it instead.

Adrenaline seekers can pay for the Bridge Walk. During this 2-3 hour experience, they walk along the catwalk beneath the roadway with a guide.

Rafting Down the River

New River Gorge National Park is one of the most popular places in the USA for river rafting. The New River spans 53 mi within the park boundaries.

The upper part of the river features long pools and lighter rapids, with occasional challenging rapids rated as WW III.

The lower part is significantly more difficult, with challenging and strong rapids reaching a difficulty level of WW V. Large boulders obstruct parts of the river, and strong currents and undercut rocks make the descent challenging.

If you’re tempted to raft down the New River Gorge, I recommend contacting one of the licensed companies. They will provide you with the necessary equipment and guides. The high season runs from April to October.

When to Visit New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park is open throughout the year, with the visitor centers closed only on national holidays. The boating season begins in early April and ends in October.

Most visitors come to the park between June and August when temperatures typically range between 61°F and 79°F. About 12 days of rain per month can be expected.

A visit to the New River Gorge National Park in winter is also an option, with temperatures usually fluctuating between 32°F and 41°F between December and February. On average, it rains 8 days per month, and the lower number of visitors makes it easy to avoid crowds.

As with most mountainous regions, the weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Sudden thunderstorms are common in the Appalachian Mountains.

• Current weather forecast for New River Gorge National Park

Average Temperatures and Visitor Numbers in New River Gorge National Park

Average temperatures in New River Gorge National Park are based on a 2017-2021 average. Visitor numbers are also based on this time frame. The data source is the National Park Service.

New River Gorge National Park Entrance Fees

Admission to New River Gorge National Park is free. You don’t need a ticket or an America the Beautiful Pass.

How to Reach New River Gorge National Park

To reach New River Gorge National Park, you will need to rent a car; public transportation is not an option. All the roads within the park are paved, so a 4×4 vehicle is not necessary. Some mountain roads are narrow and filled with switchbacks, which might be challenging for caravan drivers. During winter, anticipate snow-covered roads.

A table showing distances and driving times from nearby towns can provide an estimate of the travel time.

There are parking lots at all visitor centers. You can also park your car at the campgrounds or in the parking lots along the trails.

Accommodation in New River Gorge National Park

🏨 Hotels

The town of South Hill offers affordable lodging near the New River Gorge Bridge. Prices for a room for two people for one night start from $75, including breakfast.

From my experience, motels with a rating of 7 or higher on Booking.com are typically adequate for an overnight stay. A rating of 8 or above implies a very good standard, and from 9 upwards, it’s a top-notch experience. It’s essential to select places with at least 100 ratings; if there are fewer, the final score may decrease over time.

In Beckley, I recommend the Microtel Inn & Suites Beckley East, which provides excellent value for money. You can book a double room per night with breakfast included for as little as $60. The park’s scenic road is only a 20-minute drive away.

• View accommodation around New River Gorge National Park

⛺ Campsites

Camping opportunities in New River Gorge National Park are limited due to the lack of infrastructure. There are 9 different sites available for overnight camping with no access to potable water and, at most, dry toilets only.

Staying overnight at these sites is free, and you can’t reserve a spot in advance. You are allowed to camp in the wilderness without asking the rangers, but it is advisable to inform them in advance.

Campsites with showers, electricity, and other amenities can be found in nearby state parks.

Tips and Advice Before Visiting New River Gorge National Park

ℹ️ Visitor Center

New River Gorge National Park has four visitor centers where guests can learn more about the park’s operations and history.

• Canyon Rim Visitor Center (map)
  Located adjacent to the New River Gorge Bridge, the Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a great starting point. The balcony at the back offers fantastic views of the southern part of the park. Two short trails lead to the observation decks, where you can get the best views of the bridge.
• Sandstone Visitor Center (map)
  The Sandstone Visitor Center serves as the gateway to the southern portion of the park and is easily accessible from I-64. The exhibits mainly focus on the park’s natural history.
• Grandview Visitor Center (map)
  True to its name, Grandview is situated at the highest elevation within the park, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. It is open seasonally.
• Thurmond Depot (map)
  If you are a train enthusiast (especially steam trains), you will love Thurmond Depot. It takes you back to the golden era of the railroad, which was instrumental in transporting coal from local mines.

👍 Good to Know

You can see the entire New River Gorge National Park and cover all the essential spots in one day. If you plan to include rafting, consider adding a second day.

Although the national park has a few cafes and snack stands, their offerings are rather limited. It would be best to buy your food and water in town beforehand.

Before you visit the park, I recommend downloading an app from the National Parks Service on your phone. It features interactive maps and details about various sites in the park, among other things. It is free.

• Official New River Gorge National Park website
• New River Gorge National Park Map

Photos of New River Gorge National Park