Top 10 Things to do in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Written and Photographed by Carrie Hanrahan
A visit to our nation’s 63rd National Park, and West Virginia’s first, is a lesson in a land’s perseverance. This incredible area, which encompasses 70,000 acres and includes a 53-mile-long section of the New River, saw the forests depleted and its biodiversity and ecosystems destroyed during the coal and timber industry time period from the 1880-1920s. It has, however, rebounded at an incredible rate and now is a place where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty, learn about its history and find exciting adventures around every corner. Welcome to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in New River Gorge National Park by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Carrie talk about New River Gorge National Park on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Historic Gateway Towns – A visit to the historical towns that mark the north and south gateways to the National Park and Preserve are a must to experience the small-town life of this beautiful area. The town of Hinton lies at the southern end of the park where you will find the Hinton Depot, built in 1905 which still operates 3 days a week for Amtrak. Explore the quaint 24 block National Historic District while enjoying a variety of shops and restaurants. From here, you can journey to the nearby Sandstone Falls and experience its stunning beauty. On the northern end, spend a day in the town of Fayetteville that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a walking tour through the 75 homes and buildings that make up the historic district. There are a variety of boutique stores and incredible spots to eat, including the Cathedral Cafe located in a former church.
9. Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking – With an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from, rock climbing and mountain biking in the park are two of the most popular. There are an incredible 1,600 climbing routes that range from 30 to 120 feet high along the rugged Nuttall sandstone cliffs. Advanced and expert climbers are drawn to this area, but you can take a lesson from a local outfitter if you are a beginner. Mountain biking is also a very popular activity for visitors to the park. You can enjoy more than 50 miles of trails surrounded by glorious foliage and historical areas within the park. There are both easy and challenging biking routes, including a stacked loop trail system built by the Boy Scouts of America’s national honor society, Order of the Arrow.
8. Visit Coal Mine sites – The importance of this region as a coal mining hub is best visualized by visiting the Nuttallburg or Kaymoor Mine Sites. To access the Nuttallburg Mine Site, you will need to drive a narrow, winding and steep road a little over 4 miles into the heart of the gorge. You will be rewarded with one of the most intact historic mine complexes in West Virginia. The Kaymoor Mine Site can only be accessed by hiking in on one of two trail options, both which end with 821 steps down to the coal processing site and town location. You will find yourself in an area that was home to hundreds of people that mined millions of tons of coal.
7. White Water Rafting – Are you a huge adventure seeker? The New River and nearby Gauley River have become some of the premier whitewater rafting destinations in the United States. You can raft anything from mild pools to big water rapids on the New River, while the Gauley offers more steep and technical rapids. With seven outfitters located in the area, you will be able to find your perfect adventure.
6. Fayette Station Road – From the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, drive the Fayette Station Road to experience the main travel route for almost 100 years from one side of the gorge to the other. Along the way, listen to the AutoTour for in-depth information of the people and their lives in this busy industrial center. The road is not recommended for any vehicle over 12 feet in height or RV’s as it is a very twisty, narrow and is mostly a one-way road. Stop at one of the parking areas at the bottom to enjoy the rebuilt bridge that spans the incredible New River, while taking in views of the massive New River Gorge Bridge as whitewater rafters tackle the challenging rapids below.
5. Thurmond Historic District – Head to the north-central area of the park to discover the town that was the heart of the gorge during the heyday of the coal and timber industry. The Thurmond Historic District is where you will learn about the community that thrived in the region due to its importance as a railroad town. You can almost see the large crowds and bustling activity as you visit the restored train depot and the empty buildings that line the railroad tracks. Taking a park volunteer lead tour is the best way to get the most out of your visit here.
4. Visitor Centers and the New River Gorge Bridge – There are three visitor centers located throughout the park that offer great information about the area. Your first stop should be the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, located on the north end of the park, where you will find stunning views of the incredible New River Gorge Bridge, interesting exhibits, and plenty of park rangers to guide you on your trip. Next, you’ll find the Grandview Visitor Center in the middle of the region. This is a simple center with a single park ranger to offer information and insight into this stunning area. Finally, The Sandstone Visitor Center on the south end provides an overview of the New River watershed and houses interactive exhibits.
3. Hiking – There is an incredible variety of hiking trails within the park to enjoy. With over 40 trails, you will find any number that will fit your hiking style. Want to hike in the woods, see incredible vistas, find cascading waterfalls or even coal mining sites? You will be able to find all of these that range from .5 miles to 14 miles round trip within every ability.
2. Sandstone Falls – A 20-minute drive from Hinton lies Sandstone Falls. Spanning the width of the New River, this stunning waterfall is 1,500 feet wide and 10 to 25 feet tall. The scenic Sandstone Falls Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and takes you past the lower falls through stunning foliage to the magnificent cascading waterfall. You can continue off the boardwalk on the Island Loop Trail that takes you around the largest island below the falls. The higher the water level, the grander the falls become.
1. Grandview Overlook – Nothing could be grander than heading to a stunning location with a grand view! In the south-central area of the park lies a former West Virginia State Park that has one of the most outstanding views of the New River and railroad tracks some 1,400 feet below the overlook. You can easily spend a day here enjoying the views, hiking the five trails, watching theater productions in the amphitheater or just relaxing among the rhododendrons that bloom in May and July.
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