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 the very least, John Henry represents the many African American men who worked to build and maintain the rails in West Virginia and relied on the wages earned to support their families. Trails in the Fayetteville area provide access to some of the most spectacular overlooks in the park. Note: this area includes many privately owned houses and businesses. The Best Things To Do at New River Gorge: Hiking, History & More The sixth-ever combo preserve and national park, New River Gorge is paradise for mountain climbers, hikers, rafters, and anyone else who enjoys their great outdoors served with a side of . Adventures on the Gorge and Fun Things To Do at New River Gorge The program is currently accepting applications online. At New River Gorge National Park, on the list of things to do are visits to these old settlements and towns, once a vital part of West Virginia's economy. We love reading your feedback! Our first visit was the weekend after Thanksgiving and we had fairly mild weather. Honestly, though, getting to these particular parks is not easy. national park sites in Western Pennsylvania, Blue Heron Mining Community at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in eastern Kentucky, Three Heart-Pounding Adventures in New River Gorge, What to Expect at New River Gorge National Park. This crossing time was reduced to less than two minutes once the New River Gorge Bridge was completed in 1977. In the summer (typically, Memorial Day to Labor Day), a small visitor center and park store is open in the old depot. Mountain biking is a popular outdoor sport all across West Virginia, and there are trails to enjoy within the national park, too. Ill be the first to admit that this walk is a little terrifying for those that are afraid of heights (thats me!). Trail recommendations and maps are offered at Canyon Rim, Grandview, Sandstone, and Thurmond visitor centers. The sandwiches were delicious (loaded Chicken Salad Croissant and Smoked Turkey, Bacon, Avocado Panini) and the atmosphere really was unique. The Main Overlook at Grandview is fully accessible and is a must if you are visiting this area. 2023 - Our Wander-Filled Life LLC - All Rights Reserved | You can do the above activities with a half-day visit to New River Gorge National Park. Nuttallburg and Thurmond are some of the best spots for those interested in seeing historic sites and a neat little ghost town. Things are quiet here in the winter, and a lot of things close from November-April. You can also download an audio tour or stop at several exhibit signs along the drive. Afterwards, we grabbed lunch at Arrowhead's Handle Bar + Kitchen, which includes a nice outdoor beer garden with local craft beers on tap. We started with the Pizza Skins, which is basically just a pizza styled as potato skins. River Expeditions Whitewater Rafting. need to read your post on why you are not scared to travel alone Also looks like you havent visited India. Still, we were in an extremely remote area with little to no cell phone service. We entered through Bluestone State Park. Within a distance of one-quarter of a mile from a restroom or pit toilet facility, human body waste must be appropriately disposed of in such facilities. Fox River Grove, IL 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor If youre looking to stretch your legs, there are many different hiking trails at New River Gorge National Park. It really is an interesting contrast to what you see farther north. Read on for the top things you must do in New River Gorge National Park! I can imagine locals were quite pleased when their 45 minute gorge-crossing was cut down to less than 1 minute. Note: The road is not suitable for oversized vehicles or trailers. Hi, just got back from New River Gorge National Park, spent an awesome 2.5 days. Best Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park - My Itchy Travel Feet Much of that section of the road was extremely rough and we were very glad that we had a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive. Things To Do - New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Here, the New River forms the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains, creating a landscape that begs to be explored both on and off the water. New River Gorge Things To Do, West Virginia - near our Cabin Rental October is the best month for spotting fall colors in the New River Gorge, though some activities (like whitewater rafting) start slowing down this month. Average monthly temperatures in New River Gorge National Park: Since the park is large and spread out, youll need at least 2 days to see the highlights. If you want to do some hiking, we definitely recommend the trails below. 900 Broadway Ave 4 miles south of the New River Gorge Bridge, Oak Hill, WV 25901-2315. If you'd prefer a cabin rental in the area, here are a few that look great: If you'd prefer a standard hotel stay near the New River Gorge, then your best bet is to stay in the town of Beckley, about 25 minutes to the south of the New River Gorge Bridge. There really are a lot of things to do here. Before you leave the visitor center, be sure to check out the views of the New River Gorge Bridge. From there, 178 steps take you down to a lower overlook, with one of the best views of the bridge anywhere in the park. 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. Additionally, there are ample camping areas surrounding the park. Thankfully, we were there in early June, so it really wasnt an issue! The small town of Prince still has an operating railroad depot and is the jumping off place for the drive to Glade Creek. Even with all of that, we still had plenty of time to rest and do a little work. Best Things to do in New River Gorge National Park Where: Hood River Event Site, Portway Avenue, Hood River, Oregon What's going on: Hood River returns with its annual fireworks show in the Gorge. Independence Day at the Fox River Trolley Museum Jul 4 9:00 am - 10:30 pm Fourth of July Parade, Concert, and Fireworks Jul 4 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm Bartlett Fourth of July Festival Free Jul 4 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Bingo Tuesdays at Bannerman's Jul 4 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Live Trivia Tuesday Nights at Booker's Bar and Grill . Trails range from a quarter mile, up to 7 miles and many can be looped together to create longer excursions. My family went on a road trip to Maine a decade ago and we detoured by hours just to see the bridge! We have toured other mining towns, most notably the Blue Heron Mining Community at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in eastern Kentucky. As an Airbnb Associate and Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. P.O. 15 reviews New River Gorge, Fayetteville, WV 25840 0.1 miles from New River Gorge Bridge New River Gorge #9 of 784 things to do in West Virginia 220 reviews WV 0.4 miles from New River Gorge Bridge Book a Tour New River Gorge ATV Adventure Tour from $179.49 More Info New River Gorge Side by Side Family Tour from $405.13 More Info See All With extra time, you can also walk the Island Loop Trail. Read the sites full Privacy / Disclosure policy here. July 3, 2021 Category: Destinations If you're looking for a truly unique adventure for your next road trip, look no further than America's newest National Park, New River Gorge. The Bridge Walk allows you to view the river and epic views of the gorge from 861 feet above the water! Endless Wall Trail and Diamond Point Overlook. Glen Jean, This site can only be accessed from Bluestone State Park on the north end or Pipestem Resort State Park on the south end. They must be kept on a leash, and it goes without saying that you should bring water for them and clean up after them! Easily accessible by Route 19 and I-64, the New River Gorge is one of West Virginia's most photographed areas. The last installment of $2,000 will be paid at the end of the second year. For a small town, there are several great places to eat in and around Fayetteville! With another day or two, there are a few other things to do at New River Gorge National Park that are well worth your time. Thanks again and cheers! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You can also hike to the Nuttall coal mine entrance, coke ovens, and old coal tipple in the abandoned mining town of Nuttallburg (the second mining town established in the gorge), or traverse a few hundred steps down to the Kaymoor mine site on the Kaymoor Miners Trail. Together we have been to more than 20 foreign countries, all 50 states and 290+ units of the National Park Service since 2009. Interested in the history of the New River Gorge? New River Gorge National Park & Preserve - What to See and Do It was good, but not really what we were expecting. For a glimpse of a once-booming railroad town, drive over to the Thurmond Historic District, which is about 30 minutes south of the visitor center. Bicycles are only permitted on designated bike trails. Just outside the main entrance to the visitor center, the Canyon Rim Boardwalk allows several different views of the bridge. Overall, we enjoyed this hike and the views of the gorge are spectacular. "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. Honestly, though, I think two days at New River Gorge is a minimum. Catch the lift at Hawks Nest Lodge, Hawks Nest State Park. Stop by one of the park's four visitor centers to find maps, information, learning opportunities, and help planning your visit. Most of the trail is relatively easy, though there are a few short steep sections. Check out this video I made from our rafting trip: If you're traveling with kids or anyone who is unsure about rafting, you can float down the calmer Upper New (minimum age for this section is 5-6). West Virginia does not have any large airports itself, but the New River Gorge is easy driving distance from major hubs like Pittsburgh, PA (3.5 hours); Charlotte, NC (4 hours); and Washington, DC (4.5 hours). Photo courtesy Ed Rehbein. That said, it is probably best to visit in late Spring to early Fall, especially if you are interested in whitewater rafting. 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. 25846, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 4.6 miles from New River Gorge. Located about an hour southeast of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, the Sandstone Visitor Center serves as a gateway to the southern end of the park. Arrowhead offers clinics and tours, or you can just rent one of their Trek mountain bikes and hit the 15 miles of trails on your own. Visiting New River Gorge National Park with Little Kids Best things to do at New River Gorge National Park Long Point Trail Note: The park is also popular for mountain biking, if thats more your speed. One of the most popular ways to see New River Gorge National Park is to go down into the gorge, and luckily you can do it by car! New River Gorge Things To Do Whitewater Rafting Tamarack, WV Fayetteville, WV Lewisburg, WV New River Gorge Bridge Endless Wall Hiking Trail Restaurants Potter Jeff Diehl New River Gorge Things To Do providing great views of the river below. Note: some of our experiences were sponsored but all opinions expressed are our own. 135. from $81/night. This physically demanding work was often times dangerous. We designed these routes to highlight some of this countrys best sites and made a point to take all of the legwork out of planning an excellent vacation to see these wonders. - JRR Tolkien. READ NEXT: The Perfect One Week West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary for the Outdoors Lover. From festivals, fireworks and parades, there is something for . There are currently 7 companies licensed to raft through the national park, the list of which can be found on the National Park Service website. Cathedral Cafe, also in downtown, is housed in a renovated church. All in all we felt we covered everything. Weve done zip lines and aerial adventures in various places over the years. Here, the river is wider and the banks are less steep. One thing to be very aware of when planning your visit is the annual Bridge Day celebration, which is held on the third Saturday of October every year. (The area where you can park IS marked on Google Maps as the Beauty Mountain Trail; if you visit, just be sure to be courteous to the people living nearby!). The piers of the abandoned Glade Creek Bridge today mark the site of a former lumber mill and the remains of company logging towns. Additionally, the bridge is a piece of structural art and one of the most recognizable sights in the park. Seen By Amy contains affiliate links including those as an Amazon Affiliate. On the lower Gauley, rapids range from Class III-V. Provided by Touchpoints Contact Info Mailing Address: P.O. For tours, check out: Lower Gauley River Whitewater Rafting. Your post was immensely helpful in planning. Celebrate the 4th of July in the New River Gorge - WV Cabins Also at Grandview, youll find a small, seasonal visitor center, a playground, picnic tables and plenty of space for the kids to run around and burn off some energy! While I do enjoy whitewater rafting, this river sounds a bit more technical than I am prepared for. Glen Jean, In non-developed areas more than a quarter of a mile from restroom facilities, human body waste must either be containerized and carried out or it must be buried at a depth of 6 inches in organic soil and at a location not frequented by the public. Additionally, no matter your vehicle, please do not attempt the drive in inclement weather. Known as the largest extreme sports event in the entire world, adrenaline junkies flock here to partake in extreme sports such as BASE jumping and rappelling. 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. Four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge National Park If coming from Sandstone Visitor Center, after you cross the river in Hinton and turn north, the farmstead is two miles up on the left. All sites are first-come, first-served, and there are no fees for camping within the park. Peaceful forest trails, superb overlooks, and historic scenery are all found here. Did the Bridge Walk (a little expensive at $72 a person, but the thrill on being under the bridge at 850 ft made it worth it) and then the Long Point Trail. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides a variety of different trails throughout the park. We rafted with ACE Adventure Resort, but there are several local outfitters who offer this same trip. There's no shortage of hiking, scenic overlooks, and wildlife, as is the typical fare in America's National Parks. 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. Its not a large campground, but it was very well maintained and provided easy access to the majority of the things we wanted to do. Pocket all your trash, including cigarette butts and candy wrappers, and dispose of it properly. Who's ready to plan a trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve now? One of the most popular ways to see New River Gorge National Park is to go down into the gorge, and luckily you can do it by car! When we visited, there was no signage. Take in scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge, the most photographed attraction in West Virginia. Ascend West Virginia pays remote workers $12,000 in cash to live and work in West Virginia for two years. The nearest airport is located in Charleston, West Virginia (~1 hour from the New River Gorge Bridge). Well, you can always buy us a beer by clicking on the button below! Visitor Centers Begin your trip to the park by stopping at one of the park's four visitor centers. Despite the abundance of hiking trails, two trails were consistently recommended as the best hiking trails at New River Gorge. Sinc the park was a National River for decades before being upgraded to National Park, youll find quite a bit of infrastructure already in place. Its a dangerous job, more than 20,000 West Virginia coal miners have died since record keeping began in 1883. If you'd rather stick to the ground, there are some interesting driving tours you can take within New River Gorge National Park. All are first come, first serve and do not accept reservations. The 20 ABSOLUTE Best New River Gorge Hikes for 2022 According to the programs website, Smith and his wife, Alys, personally donated $25 million to assist in compensating participants. Our first visit to New River Gorge National Park actually was a quick stop on the way home from visiting the national park sites in Western Pennsylvania. Things to Do Check out all of the many recreational activities available at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. . 3. That was a good introduction to the park. The collection of buildings preserved at Trump-Lilly Farm take visitors back to the early days of Appalachian subsistence farming. 12 Things You Must Do In New River Gorge National Park - Seen By Amy Planning trips and helping others to plan their getaways, whether a special vacation or a quick weekend away, are passions of mine. Courtesy and common sense on the trail can help provide an enjoyable experience for all. The upper section of the New River is calmer and suitable for families with children and those looking for a relaxed ride. 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. At the overlook, youll be rewarded with sweeping views of the gorge, the bridge and the river below you. This short (about 0.5 miles) hiking trail loops off the boardwalk, allowing you to get closer views of the forest and access the river. Required fields are marked *. Autumn is another great time to visit this national park, especially if you love fall colors. In Beckley, just 30 minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge on State Highway 19, you can get up close and personal with something else West Virginia is famous for: coal. Today, it is the recreational opportunities that draw visitors to the area. 3. The New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel span in the western hemisphere, spans the New River Gorge, 876 feet over the river, Perched on the edge of the gorge 1400 feet above the river, Grandview provides some of the best views of the gorge.
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