Planning a trip to New River Gorge National Park in early to mid-September is a great way to enjoy this park while saving money at the same time. Whether you are looking for a place to start or end your day, you can find exactly what you crave close to this national park. The New River Gorge National Park is 53 miles long, following the course of the river. The best time to visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to avoid crowds is in the winter. More recent historical events center around the coal mining industry, which explains the parks vast network of roads, old railway tracks, and bridges. It was upgraded to national park and preserve status in 2020, making it the U.S.'s 63rd national park. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. The New River Gorge Bridge is the second largest single-steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Most of the restaurants and bars in this town are locally owned and feature one-of-a-kind menus with amazing culinary creations. For the experienced, wed recommend a pit stop at Water Stone Outdoors for beta and local climbing guide booksas well as some great espresso drinks from its Range Coffee bar in the back of the store. It offers exciting attractions, recreation opportunities, and amazing options for lodging and dining. The Capital One Venture X Cards Concierge Service All You Need To Know, Norse Atlantic to Axe Fort Lauderdale to London, Launching Service From Miami Instead, How To Get to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. As millions of visitors have already discovered, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is absolutely worth visiting. You are going to have a blast no matter when you visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Consider the America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass. Each year, over 1.5 million visitors come to tour this park and see the magic that hides within its boundaries. Pipestem Resort State Park is West Virginia's premier family adventure resort. Photographers especially love this area for capturing mesmerizing photographs of the rushing water crashing over the rocks. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. The cafe is housed in an old church and offers a unique ambiance for diners. Whether youre experienced or not, those who are able wont want to miss the chance to go white-water rafting. Visitors are able to enjoy trip after trip to this national park without having to pay a dollar to enter. This 10-mile-long scenic parkway, lined with towering redwood groves, runs through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. New River Gorge National Park Cost. Visitors are able to learn about the animals at risk in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and attend workshops and events to discover ways to help preserve them. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Endless Wall Trail: This trail is considered one of the most picturesque trails in all of West Virginia. Contact Us Operating Hours & Seasons Sandstone Visitor Center NPS photo The park is open year-round. The Best Places to See Fall Colors in the U.S. Join more than a million of the worlds best travelers. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. Suppose you love looking at fields speckled in gorgeous colors. There are gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan menu items as well, making this a win for all types of diners. There are also several spectacular events that happen annually. The best part about the bridge is that its located just outside of the Canyon View Visitor Center, so you wont even need to work up a sweat for these incredible views! Top Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park. Sandstone Visitor Center 0. . These primitive camping sites also offer easy access to the river for those who want to enjoy fishing and boating. This bridge is also featured on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves an extensive menu of specialty pizzas with the option to create your own pie. Getting To New River Gorge National Park . Once the sun goes down, mosey on over to nearby Arrowhead Bike Farm for beers and brats at its restaurant, the Handlebar, or the women-owned brewery, Freefolk, just a few more minutes drive down the road. That being said, you will have to rely on your car once inside the park, as there is no public transportation available at this time. See our Advertiser Disclosure for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. New River Gorge NP is currently ranked at 45 out of 63 National Parks by Size. Pies and Pints is open daily for lunch and dinner and has phenomenal service with an atmosphere that keeps guests returning regularly. Visitors often dine at this restaurant multiple times during their trip. This event allows the most daring adventurers to legally BASE jump from the bridge and parachute into the gorge below. The park is open 24 hour a day, year round. History buffs will also find plenty here to spark their interest, specifically the federally protected mining towns of a bygone era. The New River Gorge Bridge was completed in 1977 and is one of the most photographed icons in all of West Virginia. Later, the school added tenth through twelfth grades. The nearest airport, Yeager International Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, is a little over an hour away and has direct flights from Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, and Orlando. Popular dishes include chicken tikka masala, lamb burgers, fish and chips, and Brussels sprouts. The most daring BASE jumpers can legally leap from the New River Gorge Bridge and parachute down into the gorge below one day a year. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. Hidden within a 5,593-page omnibus spending bill in the final days of 2020 was a provision to reclassify this one-time . Click on the map below to see current hotel and vacation rental rates near the park. Gary Hartley. July 19, 2022 Amy Brahan Located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects 73,000 acres of rugged land along a 53-mile stretch of the New River. More recently, between the late 1800s and the 1950s, the area was home to a large number of coal mines. Wanderlust Creativefoods is 4 minutes from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and is an outstanding restaurant you will want to experience during your trip. Oak Hill is a little under 10 miles from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. Another excellent way to travel to New River Gorge and National Park without worrying about driving is to take a Greyhound bus. Despite its name, the New River is estimated to be between 10 million and 360 million years old, making it the second oldest in the world. Since there are several areas of the park, several different routes can be utilized to enter the park; it truly depends on where you are headed. Although New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is open year-round, there are definitely better times to visit than others. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This national park has no form of public transportation, so be prepared to navigate during your trip. Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water. Now might be the perfect time to plan an upcoming trip to visit America's newest national park, New River Gorge. Full of hairpin turns and vista points, the road winds down to the bottom of the gorge, across a narrow bridge, and back up to the top. Grandma Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad Ryan hike on a . Unlike many national parks, the New River Gorge is free to visit. Humans too have an ancient and storied presence here. The most iconic feature of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the New River Gorge Bridge. Additionally, there are several put-in spots along this stretch. Canyon Rim Visitor Centeris open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Since then Amar has endeavored to turn his gap year into a "gap life" and has spent the last 13 years traveling the 7 continents. Although youll feel like youre deep in nature while staying on this expansive, family-friendly adventure resort, the location is surprisingly central: its only a six-minute drive to Fayetteville and three minutes to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Cell service is available throughout most of the park, though some areas are better for obtaining signal than others. Below youll find the ultimate guide to New River Gorge National Park, including the best things to do, the parks history, location, best times to visit, and more. Yeager Airport is located in Charleston, West Virginia, about 60 miles from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It also has the worlds longest single-arch steel span measuring 1,700 feet. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi. If you are looking for an adventure-filled town near New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, look no further than Oak Hill. In 2013, the National Park Service listed the New River Gorge Bridge in the National Register of Historic Places as a significant historic resource. It is an excellent place to stop to refuel during or after your park excursions. New River Gorge in West Virginia is our newest national park - The Washington Post Travel New River Gorge: America's newest national park is one of West Virginia's hidden. It is recommended that those visiting New River Gorge National Park and Preserve spend a minimum of 3 days exploring the park. Where Is New River Gorge National Park And Preserve The best time to visit New River Gorge National Park is between the months of April to October. Get inspiration for your next outdoor adventure with these videos. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. This school conducted classes from 1925 to 1994. Walk-up tickets at the gate are $44.99 for children, $54.99 for general admission and $14.99 for seniors. Theres plenty of variety when dining in Oak Hill and something for everyone. A train ride to New River Gorge and National Park is a wonderful way to fully appreciate a national park vacation. We usePermethrin Sprayon our clothes before our park trips. However, you may want to plan a visit around a particular sight, activity, or event. There is a large parking lot next to the visitor center. Rafters can choose between a half-day adventure on the Lower New River (class IIIV) or Upper New River (class IIIII) or a full day that includes both parts of the river and lunch. Visitors gather on the New River Bridge to watch adventure enthusiasts leap into the gorge. It has one of the highest populations of the nearby towns and has several types of lodging opportunities, from state park campgrounds and luxury treehouses to incredible resorts and rustic cabins in the woods. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. This event includes fishing, yard games, campfire gatherings, and Appalachian music. To get a good sampling of what the park has to offer, dont miss out on a sunrise hike on the Endless Wall Trail, a half-day white-water rafting trip on the New River (also known as the New), and a sunset drive on Fayette Station Road. April through October tends to be the park's busiest season, as the weather is excellent and the river runs at optimal flow rates. One of the best ways to see New River Gorge National Park is a from a . New River Cleanup takes place at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve each May, hosted by the Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. June 30, 2023 at 3:31 p.m. EDT. While it isnt as close as the other airport, it is the option with the most airlines and is only about an hour from the park. The Ultimate New River Gorge National Park Travel Guide - Outside Online Graham Averill Jul 19, 2021 The Ultimate New River Gorge National Park Travel Guide At the most recently declared. There are many options for gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diets, so every guest has plenty to choose from. Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall found on the New River. Then grab a bike and hop on one of the areas mountain bike trails, like the easy and scenic Long Point Trail, feature-filled Corona Trail, or the gorge-adjacent Kaymoor Trail. It is 876 feet tall and over 3,000 feet long. It now offers a wide range of activities, including white-water rafting, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, climbing, kayaking, SUP, and even base jumping (at least for one day of the year, Bridge Day). For a touch of nightlife, head to Southside Junction Tap House, a cozy bar and restaurant in the center of Fayetteville that regularly hosts live music. Most visitors are eager to participate in the rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, and fishing this town provides. Other appealing hikes near Fayetteville and the Canyon Rim Visitor Center include: Before the New River Bridge was completed in 1977, Fayette Station Road was the areas main two-way road but is now a scenic drive popular among visitors. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve There are many special places to visit in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The 53-mile stretch of the New River between Bluestone and Hawk's Nest dams became part of the National Park System in 1978. This airline is the larger of the 2 nearby airports. While you could spend endless amounts of time exploring every nook and cranny of this massive 72,808-acre park, short trips are also worth considering. You may want to avoid this weekend if youre not planning on taking the leap. By Andrea Sachs. The park offers breath-taking views from the rim of the gorge, a wide variety of plants and animals that make the park their home, and many historic sites that help tell the story of people in the area. The Allegheny woodrat, the Virginia big-eared bat, and the Indiana bat all make their home in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Rather explore the trails on two wheels instead of two feet? New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has a long list of historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I have been a Park Ranger for almost 20 years and can't wait to share with you National Park Travel Tips, Recipes, and so much more! B.A.R.K. In addition to a gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi. New River Gorge National Park is open year-round, and those who are averse to crowds may find winter to be the best month to visit. While there, dont miss a sundown drink at Smokeys on the Gorge or Chettys Pub, two adjacent, on-site restaurants with striking, western-facing views of the gorge. Note that baiting game and trapping within the park is strictly prohibited. Check out the former mining sites still standing within the park, learn all about the indigenous tribes that once called the area home at the Sandstone Visitor Center, or take a self-guided drive along the African American Heritage Auto Tour. No An official form of the United States government. New River Gorge National Park travel guide. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of Americas newer national parks and is well worth a visit to explore and discover the wonders of this national treasure. This all depends on what you hope to get out of your time here, whether that be sunny weather, vibrant foliage, or some peace and quiet. This restaurant is located just 5 minutes from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. National parks have been extremely popular in 2020, and travel experts predict this trend will continue through 2021. There are endless opportunities for exploration and adventure in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the most noteworthy critters include white-tailed deer, fox squirrel, Allegheny woodrat, beaver, and river otter. This unique restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily and offers a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. They were able to live on the lands plants and animals. The first step is to decide what you want to see and do in the park. The best time to visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to avoid crowds is in the winter. The only option for lodging in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is to sleep under the stars in the great outdoors. Offering ziplining, a splash park and adventure lake, rock climbing and guided trout fishing tours, this park is much more than just a place to sleep. Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando, New River Gorge National River (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, Best Easy Day Hikes New River Gorge (Best Easy Day Hikes Series), Adventure! The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia. The lush New River Gorge National Park. Sleep Inn Beaver - Beckley - provides amenities like laundry facilities and a gym. The sandstone cliffs provide amazing opportunities for climbers to enjoy. This national park provides a safe haven for these animals that are listed as threatened species. least chance of rain) late July through August are always a safe bet. . Although this national park is one of the newest in the country, the river system is actually quite old. We have narrowed down the best places to stay at Shenandoah NP.. Where to stay near New River Gorge FAQ. The best part is that youll likely have much of the park to yourself during this time! There are plenty of accommodations in Fayetteville, no matter which type of stay you desire. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Mar.15.2022 New River Gorge National Park (Billy McDonald / Shutterstock.com) News and Tips Travel News If you love looking at peak fall colors and also enjoy riding on vintage trains, you need to know about the Autumn Colors Express. GPS - 37.78320 N, 80.89778 W, Canyon Rim Visitor Center Located on Fayettevilles main thoroughfare in what used to be a bank, the newly opened Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals is a collection of well-appointed one-bedroom holiday apartmentscomplete with a full kitchen, bathroom, living space, and bedroom. At least, that's certainly the case with West Virginia's New River Gorge. Canyon Rim Visitor Center: Open year-round, 9 AM - 5 PM Sandstone Visitor Center: Open mid-June to end of October, 9 AM - 5 PM While you will need to drive quite a ways to access the falls, the route will lead you along two of the parks most scenic roads - Route 20 and River Road. You can find all of the info on operating hours here. Some exciting animals you will see while visiting the park include Americas national bird, the bald eagle, white-tailed deer, beaver, river otters, black bears, and bats. The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites. Be sure to stop by the Secret Sandwich Society for a meal you wont forget during your trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The New River Gorge Bridge in the heart of the national park. An annual event, Bridge Day (detailed in the next section), takes place on the third Saturday in October, so if you are hoping to avoid crowds, be sure to plan around that. It has several different access points, but it can take up to an hour on meandering backroads and byways to get between them. The weather varies throughout the year at New River Gorge National Park, and it also has the tendency to change quickly and be unpredictable. This bonus value is an estimated valuation. olds must be in an oar controlled raft. If youd rather be surrounded by trees, grab a bundle of wood for your campfire and book yourself into one of the rustic, wooden cabins at Adventures on the Gorge; each is equipped with a fire ring and charcoal grill. Nothing says national park vacation like loading your car and heading out for an epic road trip. When production ceased in 1958, Nuttalburg, like so many other mining towns, began to clear out. Near the main entrance of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a boardwalk trail guiding visitors to a patio with amazing views of the famous New River Gorge Bridge. With over 100 miles of hiking trails winding through its boundaries, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a hikers paradise. Some of the most popular trails include Canyon Rim Overlook Boardwalk, Big Branch Trail, and Bridge Trail. Grandview is another one of the best spots in the park for viewing the gorge. Bridge Day has been taking place since 1990, and visiting during this spectacular event would be memorable and loads of fun. Places To Go. March 29, 2022 There are many things to consider when planning a trip to New River Gorge National Park. Published Aug 12, 2022 With miles of trails, stunning vistas, white water rapids, and waterfalls, New River Gorge is an outdoor dream adventure. The 83-mile route includes interstates, divided highways, and two-lane roads. Annual Park Pass - $0.00 The New River Gorge National Park is tucked into the heart of southern West Virginias Appalachian Mountains. In 2020, New River Gorge NP had 1,054,374 park visitors. Learn more about Park Ranger John. The classic cheeseburger or house-made vegetarian beet burger are both delicious options. The Business Platinum Card from American Express. The 53-mile long river is the highlight here, and adrenaline junkies flock here to partake in whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking during the summer months. Book now and receive 10% off with code CNNSUMMER at Tripadvisor. Whether theres a show on or not, nab a seat at the bar and order a local West Virginia brew (such as those by nearby Bridge Brew). This park has over 1,500 climbing routes available for adventurers to climb. Alternatively, hop on the Kaymoor Miners Trail for a hike while learning more about local mining history. Most of the summer crowds are gone, the fall foliage puts on a stunning show (consistently one of the best in the US), and the bounty of the . There are also exciting events that take place on this bridge, where daredevils leap from it into the gorge. Wildflower Art Contest Learn how you can enter the 2023 Youth Arts in the Parks Wildflower Art Contest. No matter what you choose, remember that you are in bear country and should follow the National Park Services advice for staying safe. There is an abundance of locally-owned restaurants as well as national chains in this town. This quaint town calls all adventure seekers and also has wonderful accommodations and restaurants. Best hikes, best things to do, itineraries, when to go, tips for the best experience. A Greyhound bus is an excellent way to experience a trip to New River National Park without dealing with the logistics of making your way to the park. Views of the gorge and iconic New River Bridge can be seen on several hikes throughout the park. From hiking and fishing to touring historic coal mining towns and bridges and white water rafting, theres no shortage of things to see and do in this national park. Rock climbing is also extremely popular in the summer, and the hiking and biking trails also see more traffic than the other months. . Researchers believe this river may be as old as 3 to 360 million years. The red and orange hues are at their peak in late October, and the temperatures around this time are perfect for hiking, biking, and climbing. Hiking is one of the best ways to explore the park and experience the wonder and beauty of this area. GPS - 37.71797 N, 80.89297 W, Park Headquarters in Glen Jean: 37.92775 N, 81.15587 W, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Port Columbus International Airport (CMH), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Encircling the heart of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the scenic drive is an estimated three-hour trip. First-time visitors are best off focusing on the area around the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, where many of the parks most popular trails and attractions are accessible by a short drive, including the iconic New River Bridgewhich, with a span of 1,700 feet, is the longest single-arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. The 31-room lodge also has .