The New River Gorge National Park is absolutely stunning. I decided to take a day trip while my husband was at a golf tournament. I began my day in Fayetteville and visited the Canyon Rim Visitors’ Center. From there, I also traveled to Grandview to enjoy the views. From the rich history of the mining towns, the amazing architecture of the New River Gorge Bridge, and the jaw-dropping views of the Blue Ridge mountains wrapped around the New River, you will not be disappointed.
The New River Gorge was designated as the 63rd national park in 2020 due to its natural beauty, history, and numerous options for outdoor activities. This park is HUGE, spanning over 53 miles in length. There are four different visitor centers (Canyon Rim, Thurmond Depot, Grandview, and Sandstone) for you to choose where to explore and gain more information about the park.
Common Questions About New River Gorge State Park
Is the New River Gorge National Park worth it?
The New River Gorge is a beautiful national park with stunning views and so many activities for adventure enthusiasts. Making it 100% worth it in my opinion.
How many days do you need at the New River Gorge National Park?
A weekend is a perfect amount of time to explore the New River Gorge and take in its natural beauty.
Best town near New River Gorge National Park?
Fayetteville is the closest town to the New River Gorge Bridge and several attractions. Other towns near the national park include: Hinton, Oak Hill, and Beckley.
Is there a fee for New River Gorge?
Nope, there is no fee for entering the New River Gorge National Park which is a huge plus!
Background Information
Where to Stay
Where you decide to stay depends on how you want to spend your time around the Gorge. Listed below are nearby cities and what they cater to:
- Fayetteville
- I believe Fayetteville is the most feasible option because it is the closest town to the bridge, canyon rim visitor’s center, and many outfitter shops for adventure activities.
- Hinton
- Accommodation options are more scarce in Hinton, but this a great place to explore the old mining town and be closer to the Grandview Entrance.
- Lewisburg
- Further away from the park, Lewisburg is a quaint downtown with a lot of charm. If you want to visit the New River Gorge, but also want a more luxurious vacation, then I recommend this area. You are also not far from the Greenbrier Hotel, which is an iconic luxury resort in West Virginia.
How Many Days Do You Need to Explore?
When planning a mountain getaway to the New River Gorge, I suggest staying for two to three days. This makes for a perfect weekend vacation! With the endless things to do, here is a quick summary of how I would spend these days to cover the main areas:
Sample New River Gorge National Park 3-Day Itinerary
Fayetteville and Canyon Rim: Day 1
- Fayetteville
- New River Gorge Bridge
- Outdoor activity of your choosing:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Swimming
- Whitewater Rafting
Grandview and SandStone: Day 2
- Grandview
- Hiking
- Hinton
- Sandstone Falls
Thurmond and Other Fayetteville Activities: Day 3
- Fayette Station Scenic Drive
- Thurmond Historic
- Outdoor activity of your choosing:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Swimming
- Whitewater Rafter
Attractions You Can’t-Miss
There are so many things to do and see while visiting New River Gorge National Park. Listed below are the main attractions in the area.
The New River Gorge Bridge
Built in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge is known for being the longest steel arch bridge up until 2003 when the Lupu Bridge was built. Presently, the bridge is the longest in the United States being 3,030 feet long and it is 876 feet from the water.
- Can you drive on the bridge?
- Yes, this bridge is fully driveable and also necessary to cross to get to the main attractions in the area.
- Can you walk on the bridge?
- No, but you can walk under it! A unique activity in the area is that you can fully walk under the New River Gorge bridge to get a different perspective on the scenic views in the area. This activity is for the adventurous
Bridge Attractions
- Bridge Walk
- Unique option to get a different viewing perspective of the New River Gorge Bridge! Walk across the bridge and admire the structure and mountain views surrounding you.
- Bridge Overlook
- While at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, take the wooden boardwalk to get a great view of the bridge from the scenic overlook. Keep in mind- there are 178 steps to reach the viewing area.
Fayetteville Downtown
This downtown is so cute and is worth it to stop whether you stroll along the main street for a coffee, local shopping, or restaurants. For a full guide of all the attractions and things to do in the area, read my post about Unique Things To Do in Fayetteville, WV.
Scenic Driving Trail
Located near the Canyon Rim Entrance, I recommend driving the Fayette Station Road and listening to the Fayette Station audio tour to learn the history of the area. This loop gives you great views of the New River Gorge Bridge and brings you down to the water where you can enjoy a picnic or cool off in the river.
There is also a map with scenic driving options for the whole park. Click here to view this map and how you can loop through the New River Gorge National Park.
Grandview
34 miles from Fayetteville, the Grandview Viewpoint is beautiful and is the highest point in New River Gorge National Park. It reminds me of Horseshoe Bend, but with greenery. The Grand View Overlook is a platform where individuals can admire the view.
Visitor Center
At the Grandview Visitor Center, there are several picnic table options and a great overlook that provides a more accessible viewpoint for others.
Sandstone Falls
Closest to the Sandstone Entrance, Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall on the New River. There are benches as well as a small boardwalk to view the falls.
Thurmond Historic District
Like many small towns in West Virginia, Thurmond thrived during the Industrial Revolution on coal and timber production. While visiting this town, you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time, as this historic area has not changed since the early 1900s. To get the full experience, I suggest this quick walking tour to learn the history behind the buildings.
Hinton
A local in Fayetteville recommended Hinton to me. It’s a quaint town located along the New River. Like most towns in the area, it was a bustling mining town in the early 1900s.
New River Gorge Activities
There are so many activities that are geared toward the adventurous traveler. Listed below are some activities in the area that I suggest doing.
Hiking
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
- Long Point Trail– 3.0 miles
- This fairly easy hike offers great views of the New River Gorge Bride and the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the area.
- Endless Wall Trail– 3.2 miles
- Offers some of the best views in the New River Gorge Park, this fairly easy loop trail will provide views of the mountainous cliffs, New River, mountain range, and even remnants of the Nutallburg Mine.
Grandview Visitor Center
- Castle Rock– 1.1 miles
- While hiking this trail, you will get great views of the New River as well as the large rock walls from the mountain.
- Turkey Spur Rock– 3.1 miles
- To reach the Turkey Spur Rock, you will need to hike along the Grand Rim Trail. This is an out-and-back trail that provides views of the New River as it snakes around the Grand View.
Swimming
There are several different swimming holes in and around the New River. Listed below are some popular options.
White Water Rafting
- Whitewater rafting is a popular outdoor activity at the New River Gorge as the different areas of the river can serve various skill levels.
Mountain Biking
- With several miles of trails, mountain biking is a great adventure option when visiting the New River Gorge and Fayetteville. Listed below are a couple of mountain biking options when you are in the area.
- Arrowhead Bike Farm
- Also listed as a campsite in the area, Arrowhead Bike Farm offers quality mountain bikes for all ages with various price ranges depending on the type of bike.
- Bike lessons and group rides are also available.
- New River Bikes
- Another great bike rental company that offers various rental rates and bike tours.
- Arrowhead Bike Farm
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THANK YOU
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