NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK – FUN THINGS TO DO
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve may be the latest addition to the National Parks, but it is far from being a new river. Established in 2020 and nestled within the Canyons of West Virginia, this 70,000-acre park hosts one of the oldest rivers in North America. It is believed there are exposed rocks that are 330 million years old. WOW, now that’s old!
With so many things to do, where do we start? In this article, we will cover the top things to see, hiking trails you will love, white water rafting, historical sites, and places to stay nearby.
PARK OVERVIEW
How much does it cost to enter the park?
There is no fee to enter the park. Yes, you read it correctly, FREE to enter the park.
Where is the park located and how to navigate through the park?
Located in Lansing, West Virginia, this park is long and narrow and travels a distance of over 50 miles. Segregated into four distinct regions, you will travel in and out of the park to get to each section.
Four Distinct Sections
CANYON RIM VISITORS CENTER AREA
1. Visit The Canyon Rim Visitors Center
If you were wondering where to start your adventure, we suggest starting at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Located in the northern section of the park, in Lansing West Virginia, the visitors center is a great place for you to grab maps, talk to a park ranger, get souvenirs, use a restroom, and bonus see some great views. This visitors Center is open 7 days a week all year-round.
2. Hike the Endless Wall Overlook
A relatively easy hike, the Endless Wall Overlook is a 2-mile out and back trail. You will start the hike through a thick forest, cross the Fern Creek, and then follow the ridge line high above the New River Gorge. Another option is to hike a 3.86 miles loop, although it will require you to walk the road back to your vehicle.
At over 1,800 feet above the New River, Steve and I able were able catch a glimpse of white water rafts floating down the river. The rafts looked like tiny dots which gave us a good understanding of how high we actually were.
Insider Tip: On your way to Endless Wall Overlook, you will see a couple of spur’s off the trail that lead to some sweet views of the river. But please help protect our environment and stay on the marked trails.
3. Self-Driving Fayette Station Road Tour
The Fayette Station Road Tour is a 45 minute drive that starts from the top of the gorge near the Canyon Rim Visitor Center down to the New River. The narrow winding roads were the main travel for nearly 100 years and housed a small bridge that allowed travel from Fayette to South Fayette. It was once a busy industrial area with over 100 coal and railroad towns.
4. Walk the Fayette Station Road Bridge
A great stop on the Fayette Station Road Tour is the Fayette Station Bridge. At this point, the drive is a one-way road. Steve and I highly suggest you drive over the bridge, park on the far side and walk the bridge. You’ll be able to get a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge from the bottom of the gorge.
5. Adventure on a White Water Rafting Trip
OMG!! If adrenal-seeking water rides are on your bucket list, you’ll want to book a white water rafting trip ASAP! The rafting seasoning in West Virginia runs from May – October.
One of the most popular things to do in the area is white water rafting. When it comes to rafting, the Upper New River is a great family trip with rapids ranging from class I-III. However, if you’re looking for more of an adventure, then we recommend the Lower New River with rapids rankings from class II – IV+. For an absolute thrill-seeking experience, you have to book a trip on the Gauley River.
We have you covered if you’re trying to determine what commercial outfitter to book. I have rafted on all three rivers, and my favorite commercial outfitter is Ace Adventure Resort. The staff is very professional and is always safety conscious while ensuring you have a blast.
6. Go Kayaking
If rafting is not your “jam”, how about a trip down the river in a kayak or at a local lake? Like rafting, commercial outfitters offer a wide variety of kayaking.
7. Hike to Longs Point
Without a doubt, if you’re looking for a great hike with an unbelievable view, this is your hike! We think the best view of the entire New River Gorge National Park is from Longs Point Trail. This hike is an easy 3 miles (out and back) trail, and the parking lot trailhead is off Newton Road (also known as County Rte 9-8).
8. Rent a Mountain Bike and hit the trails
Whether you’re a beginner mountain biker or an expert, Arrowhead Bike Farm is a great place to rent mountain bikes, helmets, and even bike racks. They offer trails on-site and advice for other places to ride in the area.
After a fun day exploring, stop into the Handle Bar + Kitchen to grab a beer and a bite to eat at Arrowhead Bike Farm.
THURMOND HISTORIC DISTRICT
Discover the once-flourishing historic railroad town of Thurmond. Now a ghost town, this was the hub of the New River Gorge, carrying coal shipments throughout the United States. The coal mine town population peaked in the early 1900s and started to decline after the Great Depression.
Although guided tours were offered in the summer, Steve and I chose to take a self-guided tour so we could wander at our own pace. If you prefer a guided tour, you can book it at The Thurmond Passenger Depot Visitor Center.
Insider tip: We suggest setting aside a half-day to visit the historical district.
9. Visit the Thurmond Passenger Depot
If you’re looking for the best place to start your tour, the Thurmond Passenger Depot is a great place. The depot has a visitor center, public restrooms, and various displays to wander back in time. Steve and I enjoyed seeing the historical telegraph office, the conductor’s office, and the yardmaster’s office.
Fun Facts: A passenger train is still active three times a week and is served by Amtrak. The train runs to New York, Chicago, and Illinois.
10. Explore the Coaling Tower
One of the unique structures in the town is the coaling tower. A train would pull up to the tower with coal hoppers and drop coal into a pit. An elevator would carry the coal up the chutes to be dropped in a coal tender. The coal was then used to fuel the locomotive.
Fun Facts: What is a coal hopper? A train car that transports bulk items such as coal or grain. What is a coal tender? A specialized rail vehicle that carries the fuel for the locomotive train.
11. Stroll The Town Center
Stroll through the town and gaze through the windows of each building.
Originally the National Bank of Thurmond was a jewelry store and clothing store, later becoming home to a bank, hotel, and restaurant. The middle building is the Goodman-Kincaid Building which started with business offices on the lower floor and apartments on the upper floor. This building also transformed into a store and a restaurant. The Mankin-Cox Building on the right side of the picture housed a drug company and a bank.
12. Browse the Historical Homes
Many old houses were scattered throughout the town, giving you an idea of what it was like to live there. We can’t wait to see the homes the National Park Service is restoring.
13. Conchos Overlook
Located at the Ace Adventure Resort, Conchos Overlook gives you an afar view of the Thurmond Historic District. You can see the horseshoe railroad and the town on the right. It is a beautiful overlook of the New River Gorge.
GRANDVIEW SCENIC AREA
With the beautiful scenery of the New River, the Grandview area is filled with 6 miles of short hiking trails, great overlooks, excellent picnic areas, and an amphitheater where summer concerts are hosted. For the history buffs, before this beautiful area became part of the National Park System, this portion of the National Park was part of the West Virginia State Park System.
Insider Tips: Visit Grandview Visitors Center (opened seasonally) to grab a map or a souvenir. Need a restroom? There is also restrooms available at this location.
14. Grandview Overlook
One of the highlights of the Grandview scenic area is the beautiful Grandview Overlook. The Grandview Visitor’s Center parking is just a short walk on a paved trail approximately 0.1 miles from the overlook platform. It is definitely a picture-worthy moment.
15. Hike the Tunnel Trail
This short, easy 0.5 mile hike boasts beautiful sandstone walls and unique rock formations. It consists of a few hills, stairs, and several flat sections.
The best way to hike the tunnel trail is to start from the Grandview Visitors Center parking lot, walk towards the playground, and cross the baseball field. Start from the end of trail #7 and hike counterclockwise. This will avoid the need to backtrack.
16. Explore one of the cool tunnels on the Tunnel Trail
While on the tunnel trail, you will see several remarkable rock formations. Explore an incredible tunnel that you can hike up into.
17. Hike the Castle Rock Trail
The Castle Rock Trail #4 is 0.6 miles one-way, runs parallel with the New River Gorge, and ends when it intersects with Trail #5. If you are short on time, you may want to turn left on Grandview Rim Trail #5 and head back to the parking locking lot. Otherwise, you can continue 1.2 miles down trail #5 to hike to Turkey Spur Overlook.
You will hike along huge sandstone walls and have several opportunities to glimpse at the New River Gorge. Although it is a relatively easy trail to hike, it has several sections with ruts and rocks.
18. Get a glimpse of the New River via the Castle Rock Trail
Twisting and turning through the gorge is the New River and an active railroad. While hiking the Castle Rock Trail, we found a great photo spot at one of the overlooks.
SANDSTONE VISITORS AREA
Located in the southern portion of the National Park is the Sandstone Visitors Area. The environmentally friendly visitors center has kept most of its landscape native and untouched. This area also has the largest waterfall on the New River.
19. Visit Sandstone Falls
From the Sandstone falls Visitor Center, it will take approximately 2 hours to reach Canyon Rim Visitor Center, which is about 65 miles. Although worth a quick stop, Steve and I did not find this area as populated or magnificent as the other sections of the New River Gorge National Park.
WHERE TO STAY
Our favorite place to stay is at Ace Adventure Resort. This resort offers camping, glamping, and beautiful cabins. Ace Adventure resort is a great all-in-one family adventure park. It also provides an outdoor waterpark, bike rentals, ATV rentals, restaurants, and a souvenir store.
Hotels near New River Gorge National Park
Budget-friendly
- La Quinta Inn & Suites – 23 Miles North of the New River Gorge Visitor Center
- Comfort Inn – 8 miles South of New River Gorge Visitor Center
Select Stay
- Courtyard by Marriott – 26 miles South of the New River Gorge Visitor Center
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Our favorite park section: The Canyon Rim Visitors Centers area. We love the beautiful view of the New River and the amazing suspension bridge.
Lori’s favorite hike: Long’s Point
Steve’s number #1 thing to do: Hands down!!!! White water rafting
Best place to stay: Ace Adventure Resort
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