New River Gorge National Park Travel Guide: Explore America’s Newest National Park

New River Gorge National Park | Introduction

New River Gorge National Park is the 63rd national park in the United States and, as of 2025, the newest national park on the East Coast, located in West Virginia. This gorge stretches about 85 kilometers (53 miles), with the New River winding through it. Despite its name, the "New River" is actually one of the oldest rivers in North America, with a history dating back over 300 million years. The river's continuous erosion over time has created the park’s stunning canyon landscape. The park's most iconic landmark is the New River Gorge Bridge, a steel arch bridge that was once the longest single-span arch bridge in the world. Every October, the annual Bridge Day event attracts thousands of visitors who come to watch extreme sports like BASE jumping. Additionally, the park boasts over 1,000 climbing routes, earning it a reputation as one of the best rock climbing destinations in the United States.

New River Gorge also holds significant historical importance in Eastern America. In the 19th century, the area flourished due to its abundant coal resources. Many railroad towns and mining sites remain well-preserved, offering a glimpse into the region's industrial past. Visitors can explore these historical sites and experience the area’s once-thriving community.

The park showcases distinct scenery throughout the year. For rafting, climbing, and camping, spring and summer are ideal when the river's water levels are high. Autumn is perfect for hiking and photography, as the gorge is blanketed with vibrant red and golden foliage.

New River Gorge National Park | Trip Planning

Given its vast area, a two-day trip is recommended to fully explore the park’s key attractions and outdoor activities.

Day 1: Explore the Classic Sights of the Park's Northern Section Start your day at Canyon Rim Visitor Center, where you can enjoy stunning views of the New River Gorge Bridge nearby. If time permits, consider joining the Bridge Walk tour for a unique experience walking along the catwalk beneath the bridge. Next, drive along the Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive to venture deeper into the gorge, enjoying scenic viewpoints and historical landmarks along the way. After lunch, choose between hiking the Long Point Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the bridge and canyon, or visiting Thurmond Ghost Town, a 19th-century coal-mining town steeped in history.
Start your day at Grandview, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the New River winding through the gorge. Then, head south to Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall on the river, and explore the scenic riverside trails. For outdoor enthusiasts, this day is perfect for whitewater rafting. The New River is one of the most popular rafting destinations on the East Coast. In spring and summer, beginners can enjoy a scenic float on the Upper New River, while thrill-seekers can tackle the more challenging rapids of the Lower New River. If visiting in the fall, don’t miss the Gauley River, which becomes one of the top whitewater rafting spots in the U.S. when the dam releases water, creating some of the most exciting rapids in the country.

New River Gorge National Park | Transportation & Accommodations

New River Gorge National Park is located in West Virginia, in the eastern United States. Since it’s far from major cities, driving is the most convenient way to visit. You can fly to a nearby airport and rent a car. The closest airport is Yeager Airport (CRW), about a 1-hour drive away. For larger airports, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is about 3.5 hours away, and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 4.5 hours away. The drive offers scenic views of the Appalachian Mountains.

For accommodations near the park, consider staying in Fayetteville, which is close to the park's central area, or Beckley, which is slightly farther but offers more lodging options.

Besides the nearby towns, the lodge at West Virginia's state park Hawks Nest State Park is also very close to the New River Gorge, making it a highly convenient place to stay.

New River Gorge National Park | Attractions

New River Gorge Bridge | Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Start your journey at the park's main visitor center, the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, which features exhibits about the gorge's geology, history, and ecology.

Don’t miss the observation deck behind the visitor center, which offers breathtaking views of the gorge. Follow the boardwalk next to the visitor center to reach the lower overlook.

From here, you can see the park's most iconic attraction, the New River Gorge Bridge, which at 267 meters high and 924 meters long, is one of the longest single-span steel arch bridges in the world, spanning the gorge. If you have time, we recommend joining the Bridge Walk Tour, which is a 1 hour and 30 minute walk along the maintained trail under the bridge, offering a breathtaking view of the canyon from an overhanging vantage point.

Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive

Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive is a winding historic route that offers an excellent way to explore the New River Gorge. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the gorge was a major center for coal mining and railroads. Due to the rugged terrain, transportation was difficult, and bridges and railways were essential for residents and workers. Fayette Station Road was once a vital route to the gorge’s bottom. Today, it’s a scenic drive with stunning views of the New River and the gorge. As you drive along this route, you can imagine the carriages, workers, and coal carts that once traveled here. The park offers a helpful audio tour that you can download if you're interested in the area’s history.

The drive begins near the New River Gorge Bridge, descending into the gorge along winding roads that narrow in some sections, allowing only one vehicle to pass at a time. Multiple viewpoints along the way are perfect for photography, especially in the fall when the colorful foliage frames the bridge beautifully.

At the end of the road, you’ll find the Old Fayette Station Bridge, built in 1889. Constructed from steel, this bridge was a remarkable engineering feat at the time, given the gorge's steep cliffs and harsh weather. It significantly reduced travel time between towns on both sides of the gorge, boosting the coal industry. However, it was gradually replaced after the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge in 1977.

Today, only one vehicle can cross the bridge at a time. After crossing, you can park on the right and walk back onto the bridge to enjoy views of the New River and the surrounding canyon.

Thurmond Ghost Town

Thurmond is a ghost town located within New River Gorge National Park. Once a vital hub for coal mining and railroads, the town is now an uninhabited historical site. Founded in 1873 with the construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O), Thurmond’s prime riverside location made it a key coal transportation center. At its peak, the town had a railway station, hotels, banks, post offices, and grocery stores, with coal trains passing through almost 24/7.

However, as cars and highways became more common, the importance of railroads declined. Combined with the coal industry's mid-20th-century decline, Thurmond gradually faded. The last store closed in the 1950s, and most residents moved away, leaving only a few people today. In 1995, the National Park Service (NPS) incorporated Thurmond into New River Gorge National Park, preserving its historical buildings.

While the town no longer has its former bustle, its preserved wooden and brick buildings, now weathered by time, create an atmosphere of frozen history. Visitors can stroll along the tracks and admire the architecture. Notably, the Dun Glen Hotel was famous for its luxurious amenities and casino, allegedly hosting the largest single-night poker bet in U.S. history. The red brick National Bank of Thurmond symbolizes the town’s former economic prosperity, with its well-preserved exterior offering a glimpse of the town’s thriving past.

The railway station at the town’s entrance still operates, with Amtrak trains stopping three times a week—making it a unique starting or ending point for day trips. Occasionally, freight trains rumble through, contrasting with the town's otherwise quiet atmosphere.

Along the main street, rows of abandoned wooden buildings and brick structures line both sides. Once bustling shops, hotels, and residences, these buildings now bear the marks of time, with most wooden doors and windows tightly shut. A highlight is the Dun Glen Hotel, renowned for its luxurious amenities and casino. Legend has it that the hotel hosted the largest single-night poker bet in U.S. history, putting this remote town on the map. Another notable landmark is the red-brick National Bank of Thurmond, a symbol of the town's economic prosperity. Though long closed, its well-preserved exterior evokes the echoes of past financial transactions. At its peak, the bank handled millions of dollars annually, reflecting the town’s thriving economy.

Grandview

Located about 30 minutes from the park’s main entrance, Grandview is one of the best spots to see the New River winding through the gorge. The area features several observation decks and hiking trails, offering various vantage points of the canyon. From the Grandview Visitor Center, it’s just a five-minute walk to the main overlook, where you can admire a sweeping bend of the New River within the gorge.

Turkey Spur Overlook

The Turkey Spur Trail starts at the Grandview Visitor Center and is about 0.6 miles each way. The trail winds through the forest and features stairs leading to the cliff’s summit. It’s a relatively easy hike with scenic views. If you're short on time, you can drive to the parking lot at the trail’s end and climb the last 150 stairs to the Turkey Spur Overlook. From the viewpoint, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the gorge, the New River, and distant mountains—especially breathtaking at sunset, with the railway weaving through the valley below.

Sandstone Visitor Center

Located in the southern part of the park, the Sandstone Visitor Center was built on the grounds of the former Sandstone School, established in 1925.

Sandstone Falls Overlook

Perched high above the gorge, Sandstone Falls Overlook provides a broad platform for viewing the park’s largest waterfall. During spring, when water levels are high, the falls are particularly powerful and impressive. The New River's banks serve as critical habitats for many bird species, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and great blue herons. Lucky visitors might spot river otters swimming in the river or white-tailed deer grazing along the shore.

Brooks Overlook

Brooks Overlook offers stunning views of the upper section of the New River Gorge, where the canyon is wider and the river’s path is more open. As the New River carved its way through the terrain, it left expansive flatlands along its banks.

Richmond Hamilton Farm

South of the historic town of Hinton, across the river on the west bank of the New River, lies Richmond Hamilton Farm. Originally granted to Revolutionary War veteran William Richmond in 1796 as a reward for his military service, the farm represents the self-sufficient agricultural lifestyle of the 19th century. The land remains in use by Richmond's descendants. The property once featured a historic hand-carved American chestnut barn, which was unfortunately destroyed by fire in early 2024.

Sandstone Falls Boardwalk

Sandstone Falls, formed over millions of years as the New River eroded the sandstone bedrock, is the park’s largest and widest waterfall. The trail to the falls begins at a parking lot by the riverbank, winding through lush riverside forests before reaching the viewing platforms. Along the way, smaller platforms and interpretive signs explain the geological formation, local ecology, and historical significance of the falls.

The cascading water divides into multiple channels as it flows over the rocks, creating spectacular splashes and mist—but without a continuous drop like traditional waterfalls.

New River Gorge National Park | Recommended Trails

Endless Wall Trail

Located in the northern part of the park, this trail follows the edge of the canyon's cliffs and offers a close-up view of New River Canyon, making it one of the park's most popular short trails, with a 2.4-mile round trip in about 1.5 hours. There are many viewpoints along the way where you can see the canyon as well as rock climbers. If you want to take a short walk, you can start from Nuttall Parking Area, walk to Diamond Point and turn back, which is the best part of the trail. This is the best part of the trail. It is suitable for all seasons, but the maple foliage is most beautiful in the fall.

new river gorge national park 53 — Diamond point overlook

new river gorge national park 54 — Diamond point overlook

Long Point Trail

This trail is one of the best routes to view the New River Gorge Bridge. The 3.2-mile round-trip hike, taking about two hours, is an easy walk through beautiful forest scenery, ending at a rock outcrop that juts out over the gorge. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the bridge spanning the canyon.

New River Gorge National Park | Recommended Restaurants

Freefolk Brewery

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$

Located near Fayetteville, Freefolk Brewery is a craft brewery with a relaxed and cozy atmosphere featuring industrial-style decor. Known for its house-brewed craft beers, the brewery offers a diverse selection, from refreshing lagers and rich stouts to fruity IPAs. While beer is the star here, the pizzas available from a nearby vendor are surprisingly delicious and pair perfectly with the brews.

Pies & Pints

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$

Located in Fayetteville, Pies & Pints is one of the area's most popular restaurants, renowned for its creative pizzas and wide selection of craft beers. Their handmade pizzas range from classic flavors to innovative combinations, with thin, crispy crusts and rich textures. A standout option is the Grape & Gorgonzola Pizza, featuring red grapes paired with bold, tangy blue cheese—a unique and flavorful combination.