New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Travel Guide
Facts and practical information
Nestled in the heart of West Virginia, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. With its rugged cliffs, lush forests, and the iconic New River flowing through it, this park is a paradise for hikers, climbers, and water enthusiasts.
One of the park's main attractions is the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest single-span arch bridges in the world. Visitors can walk along the catwalk underneath the bridge for a thrilling experience and breathtaking views of the gorge below. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the annual Bridge Day festival offers the opportunity to watch base jumpers and rappellers leaping from the bridge into the gorge.
Hiking trails crisscross the park, leading visitors through diverse landscapes and offering stunning panoramic views of the gorge. The Endless Wall Trail is a favorite among hikers, winding along the edge of the gorge and providing opportunities for rock climbing and birdwatching. The park is also a popular destination for whitewater rafting, with the New River offering exhilarating rapids for experienced paddlers.
For history buffs, the park is home to a number of historic sites and structures, including the remnants of coal mining operations that once thrived in the area. The Thurmond Historic District, with its well-preserved train depot and ghost town atmosphere, provides a glimpse into the region's industrial past.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Attractions - What to See and Explore
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: St. Colman's Roman Catholic Church and Cemetery, Prince Brothers General Store. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.
Best Time To Visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Learn when is the best time to travel to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve weather-wise and what to expect in each season.
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Wood turtle
The wood turtle is a species of turtle endemic to North America. It is in the genus Glyptemys, a genus which contains only one other species of turtle: the bog turtle.
Reptiles
Eastern Box Turtle
The common box turtle is a species of box turtle with six existing subspecies. It is found throughout the Eastern United States and Mexico. The box turtle has a distinctive hinged lowered...
Reptiles
Golden eagle
The golden eagle is one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family...
Birds
Horned grebe
The horned grebe or Slavonian grebe is a relatively small waterbird in the family Podicipedidae. There are two known subspecies: P. a. auritus, which breeds in the Palearctic, and P. a...
Birds
Cerulean warbler
The cerulean warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family. Adult males have pale cerulean blue and white upperparts with a black necklace across the breast and black streaks...
Birds
West Virginia