If you prefer to take in the parks natural beauty from the comfort of your car, drive down some of the less taken roads that either take you along the rim or the River or wind up and down between the two. Rest and relax at a world-class resort or head out for a waterfall hike. What to do in New River Gorge National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. To create this film we spent a few weeks on location in New River Gorge National Park as part of a partnership with West Virginia Toursim. Most of the routes in the gorge favor the advanced and expert climber. Ready to experience New River Gorge National Park and Preserve for yourself? The Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a great first stop for visitors looking for things to do in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. We recommend taking a break at these interesting stops: Canyon Rim Visitor Center, Fayette Station Road, Kaymoor Mine Area, Thurmond Historic District, Glade Creek Area, Grandview, Babcock State Park, and the Endless Wall. This is actually a regional chain with locations in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Alabama, meaning if you love it as much as we did, you might just have a chance to visit on a future vacation. Our favorite brewery in the area was Freefolk Brewery. We loved that there was a small playground out back for the kids to use while we waited for our table, which took about 30 minutes. The only zipline course with views of the Gorge,ACEs New River Gorge zipline tour includes 9 zip cliffside zips. Like most of our national park visits, there was much to see and do, and not enough hours in the day. The New and Gauley Rivers are famous for their top-tier whitewater rafting. Its unique ecosystem consisting of pockets of grassy fields, mixed mesophytic forests, high bluffs, and a blend of riparian areas, hosts a horde of neotropical migrants in Spring. There are tours available too! The wild cave adventure here lives up to its name: this isn't your average walk on a well-lit path in a group of 30. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im Becky and I believe travel is more meaningful when youre immersed and engaged! This marvel of human engineering spans over 3,000 feet, coming in as the third-longest arch bridge in the world. Not to mention, the white sand beach is perfect for sunbathing and volleyball. Great article, Becky! There is never a shortage of things to do or experience in the New River Gorge but the week of July 4th offers even more for your family to enjoy. Endless Wall Trail and Diamond Point Overlook 3.4. Especially this one which I never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, earth . providing great views of the river below. Popular national parks with reservation systems of some kind include Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Arches, Acadia, Denali, and more. There were lots of mouth-watering pizza options, and gluten-free crusts were available as well. Why Trust Us About the Best Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park? It was beautiful and the bridge walk is a must. Less than three hours outside Roanoke, this stretch of West Virginia is unlike anything youve ever seen before. Our guide was incredible and made us feel safe, even though the toughest and roughest of rapids. This is a great place to start your trip through New River Gorge National Park. This massive lake - the largest natural body of water in the state - is located a few . Before the New River Gorge Bridge was constructed, folks who wanted to cross the New River would need to take the old Fayette Station Road. What to do and where to stay at New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, including white water rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. This heart-pumping adventure is not for the faint of heart, but its sure to be a thrilling experience youll never forget. In fact, the park provides vibrant biodiversity for the more than 180 bird species that call this beautiful jewel home. We had our three-year-old with us, and rafting trips just werent going to fit into our plans very well. Nestled into southern West Virginias Appalachian Mountains, New River Gorge National Park is every bit the adventurers playground. For Class IV and V rapids, look no further than theNewandGauleyrivers. It is mentioned as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in France and is one of the major tourist . There were places to boulder, small caves, and even some rock tunnels all along the trail. New River is one of the oldest rivers flowing in North America. This post may contain affiliate links. The Bridge Trail has views looking UP at the bridge from underneath it (some steep sections). I sure can, and winter (the quiet season) is the only time you can afford these deluxe cabins anyway. Sandstone Falls is the largest (widest by far) waterfall in the area. The spring-fed mountain lake water park features water slides, large inflatable toys, a zipline and the high-flying water toy known as the BLOB. Come at the right time, and you can catch some live music as well. There are some great food options around New River Gorge National Park. Despite the park not officially maintaining this, the path is very clear and appears to be well maintained by the climbing community. But they also have a kitchen with delicious food and snacks, rent bikes, have a campground, and of course, no visit here is complete without stopping to pet the goats. Prepare to crawl, slide, and get covered with mudand see some really cool things. If youd like to relish memories running back 100 years, this road should be near the top of your list of things to do in New River Gorge National Park. Theres something for everyone. Wildflower hikes. Explore wide open spaces with plenty of room to roam. Difficulty varies from flat, smooth walking to steep challenging terrain. The purpose of the video is to highlight the parks unique scenic, historic, and adventurous character as well as promote responsible recreation within. For folks looking to get a quick taste of the park after checking out the visitor center, add the Canyon Rim Boardwalk Trail to your list of things to do in New River Gorge. There are tours that will take you right under the bridge, but I'd actually recommend heading to the no-wake zone at nearby Summersville Lake (Battle Run). The rock is very featured, and an abundance of crack and face routes are available. This Fayetteville cafe is located in an old cathedral, making it a totally cool place to dine. The tour lasts between 2-3 hours. This historic depot serves as a link to the past and the present, telling stories through its vast abandoned dry-good stores, railroad, and hotels. This scenic wonder is a must-see stop for any first-timer, providing historical and . Lastly, we should talk about where to stay during your time in New River Gorge National Park. New River Climbing School is recommended by many. If you need a rest from all the hiking and adventure, why not take a scenic drive? Unfortunately, I moved before I had the chance. But if you want to get a closer feel of the Gorges fauna and flora, take the routes running parallel to the River. With many possibilities for extreme sports as well as a relaxing experience, its no wonder why the New River Gorge is considered to be one of the best national parks in the USA. Visiting New River Gorge National Park? And yes, its beautiful even in mid-winter. The NPS actually runs many primitive campgrounds throughout the park. Youll also want to keep an eye out for mudwhich was definitely abundant along the wayas well as rocky spots where you will want to take it slow. Theres no shortage of hiking, scenic overlooks, and wildlife, as is the typical fare in Americas National Parks. If a flat trail is not your kind of thing, add The Headhouse Trail as one of the things to do in new river gorge national park. The peace and solitude of Almost Heaven is just an overnight stay away. It is a little out of the way compared to other parts of the park but is a very nice visitor center with some exhibits that are worth checking out. The Outpost at New River Gorgemight just be your spot! Want to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the area? The trails available consist of park service trails that are marked and maintained, trails within lands administered by state parks, and undeveloped trails and abandoned roads. The Long Point trail has an impressive view of the bridge from the end. We plan things this way so we have extra time to catch something we may have missed earlier in the trip. If youre a leisure hiker, set aside about one and a half hours to truly take in all the beauty and great views of the New River racing 1000 feet below. Are you planning a trip and trying to find things to do New River Gorge National Park and Preserve? This is on the top of my to-do list for next time, even if it means my husband and I have to take turns watching our youngest. New River Gorge National Park has ample outdoor recreational activities to offer, whether you favor thrilling outdoor activities like climbing, bicycling, hiking, or whitewater rafting, or simply enjoy a picnic, tranquil bird watching, or camping while watching the river flow past. Were Will Pattiz and Jim Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks. It is the combination of the fast-moving river and the resulting gorge that provides such a beautiful backdrop to fun national park adventures. If you visit in October be sure to check out Bridge Day, West Virginias largest festival. Please read my disclosure for more info. GET MORE INFO: Best Hikes in New River Gorge National Park. Try visiting a national forest while youre on your trip to avoid the crowds. We lived in Colorado in the high peaks of the Rockies for many years with the Arkansas River. From here, youll get an aerial overview of the gorge, followed by a boat tour to get up close and personal with the New River. Stay in Fayetteville if you like independent properties and eating at local joints: I recommend the Historic Morris Harvey House B&B (pay attention: not all rooms have private bath) and a meal at Pies & Pints. That said, West Virginia does get some super cold winters, and cold weather isnt ideal for the activities offered in the park. The reward is worth it to find the collapsed buildings and rusted machinery. Rock climbing is hugely popular in the New River Gorge because the sandstone cliffs offer some incredible 1,400 established climbing routes, so I knew we needed to give it a go. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. But dont worry if youre afraid of heights because theres still a way to experience this incredible bridge walk. Cans and growlers are available if youd like to take some beer to go. Many of us have know about WV for many, many years. If youre a fan of mountain biking, then this should be one of the things to do in new river gorge national park. September 23, 2022 A First-Time Visitor's Guide to the New River Gorge National Park A visit to the U.S.'s newest national park means adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures, fall foliage, and craft beers. The parks sandstone cliffs offer a unique climbing experience, with routes that vary in difficulty and length, and stunning views from the top. From family-fun to thrilling adventure, here, there is a ri, The New River/Greenbrier Valley Region is a beautiful, scenic area where upscale luxury meets small-town charm. They had an array of beer styles to suit anyones preference and offered a cider or two as well for the non-beer drinkers. This past year my team spent a few weeks trying out all of the incredible things to do in New River Gorge National Park to create a short film as part of a partnership with West Virginia Tourism. Within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are over 1,400 established rock climbs. A popular vacation destination with stunning views,ACE Adventure Resorthas everything you could possibly need for a perfect family getaway. To get a great view of the bridge without having to go too far, stop by the Canyon Rim Visitors Center. The Fayette Station Road offers a scenic drive into the belly of the Gorge to where the original river crossing was located.