New River Gorge in West Virginia was solely just lately designated a nationwide park. As a brand new park, you would possibly count on it to nonetheless be growing and discovering its id as a park, and to make sure, there’s nonetheless some rising the realm is certain to do. 

However New River Gorge was at all times effectively outfitted with issues to do, and just a few years after it turned a park, you’ll now discover countless enjoyable issues to do in New River Gorge Nationwide Park. Whether or not you’re into climbing, journey actions, or historic sightseeing, it’s all right here.

You’re certain to search out no less than one among these 18 issues to do in New River Gorge excellent in your sort of journey.

18 of the Greatest Issues to Do in New River Gorge

1. Take a Scenic Drive

New River Gorge is ready among the many mountains of West Virginia, and you recognize what meaning? It’s excellent for a highway journey. Throughout your time within the gorge, you’ll spend a while navigating from vacation spot to vacation spot, however remember to put aside a while to go wherever the highway leads you.

There are just a few nice scenic drives, together with the 3-hour New River Gorge Scenic Drive, encircling all areas of the park. However when you’re on the lookout for one thing somewhat shorter, then driving Fayette Station Street packs a punch. 

It was once that this was the one highway throughout the gorge earlier than the New River Gorge Bridge was constructed. However now the Fayette Station Street scenic drive is an effective way to see the gorge, the bridge, and lots of the finest views multi function route.

2. Watch a Sundown within the Gorge

Sundown in New River Gorge is spectacular, so don’t put it in your itinerary as an afterthought, simply in case you could have sufficient vitality on the finish of the day to remain out for sundown. 

Nope, experiencing this can be a should, and there are many spots for it. Sit again and benefit from the views from the rim of the gorge, watching the golden rays disappear over the ridge. Among the finest spots for sundown within the gorge are on the park’s most iconic hikes, and wherever you could see the bridge.

In order that’s why taking a hike is subsequent up on the record!

3. Hike the Lengthy Level or Countless Wall Trails

New River Gorge is a hiker’s vacation spot, with loads of simple and difficult hikes for all ranges. 

Countless Wall Path could also be the most well-liked hike in New River Gorge. It’s a 2.4-mile path, with trailheads at each ends. An effective way to hike it’s to select one of many trailheads, hike out to concerning the midway level the place one of the best views on the path are discovered, after which return to the parking space. 

The path is known as for the views it gives of the countless wall of rock that extends across the rim of the gorge. It’s a widespread spot for rock climbers who take pleasure in descending the cliffs. However for many, it’s a fascinating view with an easy-to-moderate hike out and again.

Second solely to Countless Wall, Lengthy Level Path is one other hike you’ll hear almost everybody advocate. Whereas will probably be widespread, it’s effectively value it. This hike will take you out to probably the most panoramic view of the New River Gorge bridge. 

It’s a lovely bridge, and standing on Lengthy Level you’ll get to admire it surrounded by the fantastic thing about nature throughout.

4. Zipline By the Treetops

New River Gorge has fairly a popularity as an journey vacation spot. Whilst you’re right here within the park you’ve received to expertise no less than one exercise that will get your coronary heart racing. Ziplining in New River Gorge is a kind of bucket record actions to examine off when you’re right here.

There are a number of locations to zipline in New River Gorge, together with a number of journey retreats with their very own programs set as much as provide you with a tour of the treetops, together with wonderful views of the gorge and surroundings down under.

It’s not only one zipline and also you’re completed. These teams will take you thru a number of zips, bridges, and platforms to finish a whole course. Even when you’ve by no means ziplined earlier than, they’ll educate you the whole lot it’s good to know to be outfitted for the journey.

5. Discover the Trails at Grandview

Everything of New River Gorge Nationwide Park stretches 53 miles down the gorge, preserving so many acres of West Virginia wilderness. So when you could hear most frequently concerning the widespread trails talked about above, there are entire different areas of the park most individuals depart unexplored!

The Grandview space of the park is additional south from the primary customer areas however remains to be residence to its personal customer heart and path community. The foremost draw for this space is the grand view – a viewpoint overlooking the gorge and the river under.

Fort Rock, Tunnel Path, and the Grandview Rim Path all begin from the overlook space, they usually every supply distinctive options of New River Gorge.

6. Stroll the New River Gorge Bridge Stroll

You’ll be able to’t go far in New River Gorge Nationwide Park with out seeing or listening to concerning the bridge. This unimaginable feat of structure is the longest single-span bridge within the US, at over 3,000 ft lengthy. 

However one of many coolest issues about it’s you could stroll underneath the bridge. There’s a catwalk within the rafters of the bridge the place a walkway takes you all the best way throughout. And New River Gorge Bridge Stroll leads group excursions throughout this stroll.

Severely one of the vital distinctive issues to do in New River Gorge, it’s an exercise to not be missed. With views so far as the attention can see down the gorge and above the river, strolling the New River Gorge bridge catwalk is one thing most guests discuss because the spotlight of their journey.

7. Uncover a Historic Mine Operation

One thing you might not find out about New River Gorge is that there’s a lot of historical past right here. The New River Gorge was as soon as residence to a number of booming coal mines. The mine websites had been all named after the businesses that ran them, and these days while you go to New River Gorge, you’ll come throughout traces of those operations.

Climbing to or stopping in at these mine websites could be a fascinating peek at historical past. The Kaymoor and Kaymoor Miners Trails take hikers down into the gorge to the doorway of the coal mine. 

Relics of the coal mining days, reminiscent of a security board displaying a approach to monitor accidents on the mine are what stay right now. These trails are fairly steep to get you to the bottom of the mine, so these hikes are thought-about a number of the extra strenuous within the park.

8. Search Out the Greatest Views

Finally, one of the best factor to do in New River Gorge is to indicate off the gorge. Its lovely views are what convey folks right here and you could find them all around the park. In lots of locations alongside the backroads of West Virginia, you’ll discover overlooks that speak in confidence to gorgeous views of the gorge and the forest protecting it.

We’ve already mentioned views at Lengthy Level and Grandview, however another overlooks to go to are the Turkey Spur Overlook and Concho Rim Overlook. These are nice locations to search out on a scenic drive between the primary areas of New River Gorge Nationwide Park.

Merely standing on the overlooks and searching will provide you with an appreciation for why this place turned a nationwide park.

9. Go Whitewater Rafting

A whitewater rafting vacation spot, New River Gorge is residence to a number of rivers with each the Gauley and New Rivers making their method via the realm. These are massive, highly effective, whitewater places that can give an journey to anybody who’s up for the journey.

You’ll be able to select from quite a lot of ranges of rapids, with areas appropriate for novices, and even households who need to convey the youngsters on a water journey. However for these critical whitewater fans, the Gauley River is named a world-class vacation spot, particularly within the fall when the dam is launched, bringing swift waters throughout the technical rapids.

10. Strive Out Rock Climbing and Rappelling

One other technical journey in New River Gorge is mountain climbing and rappelling. Each mountain climbing and rappelling contain navigating the cliff rock faces and both climbing or descending utilizing rope and different tools. 

Don’t fear, there are skilled guides who will assist level you to the fitting spots and maintain you having fun with your self on a guided tour.

And New River Gorge is a good spot for mountain climbing. Simply take into consideration that countless wall of rock face that surrounds the canyon rim. The climbing neighborhood is powerful right here and has arrange many routes with ladders and anchors to clip into. 

The most effective locations to rock climb in New River Gorge is at Bridge Buttress, an enormous tough rock face excellent for climbing straight up. Wherever you find yourself, going with an clothes shop will enable you discover a route and take a look at your climbing limits.

11. Search Out Waterfalls

In the event you search for them, there are waterfalls in New River Gorge Nationwide Park. In reality, the state of West Virginia has arrange a West Virginia waterfall path, permitting you to examine off the falls you go to on a highway journey via West Virginia. 

Just a few of them are situated in or close to New River Gorge. Whereas New River Gorge isn’t primarily a waterfall vacation spot, with that a lot water working via the valley, you may definitely discover some streams and creeks giving properties to magnificent waterfalls.

Sandstone Falls is the biggest of all of them, proper on the river, with rocky areas bringing many quick falls all collectively in a single place. It’s simply accessible with a brief path on a boardwalk taking you to see the waterfall.

One other enjoyable one to see is Cathedral Falls which is a roadside falls, simple to leap out and see on a drive to or from New River Gorge. And when you drive Fayette Station Street, Wolf Creek Falls is situated a brief stroll from the Kaymoor Trailhead alongside the drive.

Loads of waterfalls in New River Gorge when you’re a waterfall seeker!

12. Go to Canyon Rim and the Customer Heart

Canyon Rim Customer Heart is the primary customer heart of New River Gorge and is one among two customer facilities that stay open year-round. As it would sound, this customer heart is situated proper on the rim of the canyon, making it an important spot to cease for views of the gorge.

And bonus – that is the place you may stand up shut views overlooking the New River Gorge bridge. A brief stroll to a boardwalk behind the customer heart will take you to the Higher Viewpoint, and some stairs will take you right down to the Decrease View. Each really feel like you may virtually attain out and contact the bridge, with nice views via the timber.

Plus contained in the customer heart is sort of as lovely, and there are just a few reveals to will let you study concerning the gorge and its historical past.

13. Try Babcock State Park

There’s a lot wild and great West Virginia to go round that there are a number of nice state parks close to New River Gorge. Extra climbing, out of doors actions, and nice issues to do are all situated throughout the close by Babcock State Park.

The largest draw of Babcock State Park is the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a large stone and wood construction set in a serene nature setting. It makes a lovely scene and guests journey from throughout simply to expertise and {photograph} the mill.

Nevertheless, don’t simply sweep out and in and solely see a fraction of what the state park has to supply. Spend just a few nights in a campground or cabin to hike and revel in Babcock.

14. Trip the Mountain Bike Trails

Convey your bikes or hire some to journey via the backroads and mountain bike trails of New River Gorge. There’s an important community of trails, and biking is inspired for fans to take pleasure in extra of West Virginia’s wilderness.

The paths of New River Gorge are of such nice high quality that they’re sometimes hosts to mountain biking occasions and races. However there are trails for the entire household, novices, and endurance racers. Even if you would like simply to get a style of biking within the mountains, New River Gorge may very well be an important day journey.

15. Fish on the New River

For certain, there’s one thing for everybody in New River Gorge. Fishing is a well-liked exercise in and across the New River. For a lot of, nothing sounds higher than a weekend fishing within the mountains.

Get the correct fishing license and get on the market on the water to see what number of trout, bass, musky, and extra you may catch. There are at all times recollections to be made on a fishing journey with pals.

16. Stroll Round Downtown Fayetteville

Whereas New River Gorge is themed round getting open air, that doesn’t imply there isn’t one thing to be found off the paths. Better of all, the small cities of New River Gorge keep true to the backwoods really feel of this nationwide park. 

Fayetteville, West Virginia is the unofficial residence base of New River Gorge Nationwide Park. One of many finest locations to remain in New River Gorge, it’s additionally an important place to benefit from the native aptitude. Dwelling to many charming eating places, it has a historic allure you gained’t discover in lots of the extra commercialized nationwide parks. 

Vintage and classic outlets and small boutique companies are scattered down the primary avenue. After having fun with lunch in Fayetteville, spend a day ducking out and in of the door frames to see what’s inside.

17. Stroll the Deserted Thurmond District

Because the New River Gorge was a hub of coal, the railroad was additionally enormous within the gorge within the early 1900s. Wherever a practice depot was constructed turned a bustling space of exercise. After the trade modified, and coal-powered locomotives had been not the first technique of transportation, the railroads moved out, leaving cities like Thurmond frozen in time.

The Nationwide Park Service has restored the depot and a number of other historic buildings making this an important place to see what life would have been like through the success of small-town West Virginia. 

Take a self-guided strolling tour of the Thurmond Historic District and see empty buildings and what stays of the coal loading operations.

18. Take a Ghost Tour

Talking of deserted coal mining cities, the sudden vacating of the mines has given New River Gorge vacationers one other distinctive factor to do – take a ghost tour. In the event you’re you may take a non-public guided tour beginning on the native customer heart to listen to the scary ghost tales of Fayetteville and the encircling space.

You’ll hear tales and folklore of the New River Gorge, led by an in-costume information to go away you somewhat chilled listening to the historic happenings in these small cities.

Wager you didn’t assume ghost tales and out of doors recreation could be discovered aspect by aspect at one of the vital intriguing nationwide parks. There’s definitely one thing for everybody in New River Gorge, and you’ll expertise all of it for your self.

FAQs – The Greatest Issues to Do In New River Gorge

How lengthy do you have to spend at New River Gorge Nationwide Park?

Although there are such a lot of issues to do in New River Gorge, even a brief weekend journey might be sufficient to get a very good style of the park and what you would possibly need to come again to see. Few of the actions in New River Gorge will take greater than half a day, so two or three days can will let you see all of the issues that curiosity you within the park.

However in case you are a real journey junkie or need to take your time exploring the backroads of West Virginia, you may lengthen this highway journey just a few extra days to soak up extra of the gorge and the encircling space.

Are there free issues to do in New River Gorge?

Sure! Spending time open air is a totally free exercise, and the most effective issues about New River Gorge is that there are not any entrance charges. You don’t want to purchase a park cross to get into New River Gorge Nationwide Park and you’ll spend hours exploring the paths, cities, and drives close by.

Climbing is among the finest free issues to do in New River Gorge Nationwide Park, and although this information solely talked about the highest handful of trails, there are dozens extra to discover when climbing New River Gorge.

Whether or not you’re waterfall searching or watching the sundown, New River Gorge couldn’t be a greater vacation spot for the finances traveler.

Is New River Gorge Nationwide Park value it?

Spend any time in New River Gorge and also you’ll marvel why it didn’t develop into a nationwide park earlier than 2020. There are such a lot of hidden gems and thrilling journey actions in New River Gorge Nationwide Park it’s value a go to. And unquestionably, you’ll depart wanting to return again.

Get pleasure from The Greatest Issues to Do in New River Gorge Nationwide Park

Taking a highway journey to New River Gorge Nationwide Park offers countless prospects for what to discover. Climbing, mountain biking, and rafting will fulfill the adventurous traveler. A cabin keep in a close-by state park whereas climbing a number of the state’s finest trails brings steadiness for a extra enjoyable keep. Or a scenic drive to the deserted coal cities offers historic vibes for the extra considerate traveler.

No matter you’re on the lookout for, give New River Gorge an opportunity, and also you’ll discover a number of the finest issues to do on this newer Nationwide Park.

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