For a small town, there are several great places to eat in and around Fayetteville! Endless Wall Trail and Diamond Point Overlook. They even host outdoor drama presentations by Theatre West Virginia in the summer. This trip starts out with a fairly relaxing float (perfect for enjoying the scenery along one of the oldest rivers in the world! In Beckley, just 30 minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge on State Highway 19, you can get up close and personal with something else West Virginia is famous for: coal. Much of the land within the national park and preserve authorized boundaries remains private property: please respect the owners' rights. If coming from Sandstone Visitor Center, after you cross the river in Hinton and turn north, the farmstead is two miles up on the left. Grand Lake is one of the best spots in Colorado for swimming, fishing, boating and soaking up some sun. After the North Overlook, the trail was much closer to the road and did not offer views of the gorge until you reach the end. The bathhouse was clean and even though there appeared to be a few long-term/seasonal campers, nothing was junky. Most of the trail is relatively easy, though there are a few short steep sections. Join the ADB Community! From rock climbing to mountain biking, there's always something to do to get you closer to nature! We camped here for eight nights and had a great time! 8. Between the river, mountains and various towns it is not always easy to get from one area of the park to another. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You can book a ride in the upper section here: Family Rafting In New River Gorge National Park. You should be able to do all of the above with a full-day visit to New River Gorge National Park. Here, the New River forms the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains, creating a landscape that begs to be explored both on and off the water. Things to Do in the Canyon Rim Area. Today, the New River Gorge is a mecca for outdoor pursuits ranging from rock climbing to white water rafting, and my guess is that it's about to get some increased attention with its new national park status. All you need to bring is a change of clothes and a sense of adventure and maybe a GoPro! Human waste may not be buried within 200 feet or in sight of any trail, road, parking lot, developed area, campsite, cliff or rock formation, climbing route or climbing area, water source or the high water mark of any stream, whether intermittent or not. This is precisely what the program Ascend West Virginia is trying to do. But what if you could move to the Mountain State and actually get paid to do it? Just our best posts and pictures from the month. Our Wander-Filled Life is a participant in several affiliate programs. The apartments are all filled with artwork by (mostly) local West Virginia artists, and come with all the creature comforts you need whether you're staying for one night or one week. The New River Gorge is located in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. Note: this area includes many privately owned houses and businesses. Southside Junction Tap House is another downtown establishment, offering a solid menu and a full bar. Book a Lower New River rafting trip here. 3. July 3, 2021 Category: Destinations If you're looking for a truly unique adventure for your next road trip, look no further than America's newest National Park, New River Gorge. We havent stayed at any close enough to the park that we can specially recommend, though. Box 246, 104 Main Street Glen Jean , WV 25846 Phone: 304-465-0508 Well before its designation as a national park, New River Gorge was known for excellent whitewater rafting. You can learn about these throughout the park. The scenic drive is an opportunity to experience the parkits gorge and its river. Additionally, Pipestem Resort SP shuts down the aerial tram on certain days for maintenance, so be sure to check that if you want to visit that park. Find info on campsites and camping rules here. The legend has been told through several movies and songs. By this point in the spring, the trees have new green leaves on them, and you can often spot wildflowers along the trails. Note: the map on the New River Gorge NP brochure indicates Panther Mountain Road is paved. The Endless Wall Trail offers views of the gorge from the north side. October is the best month for spotting fall colors in the New River Gorge, though some activities (like whitewater rafting) start slowing down this month. Where: Hood River Event Site, Portway Avenue, Hood River, Oregon What's going on: Hood River returns with its annual fireworks show in the Gorge. This part of the river includes Class I-III rapids, which are relatively small and easy rapids. This time around, we actually spent a full week in the area. How Many Days at New River Gorge National Park? (Disclaimer: When we link to places you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes which earn us commissions on the salesat no additional cost to you. Provided by Touchpoints Contact Info Mailing Address: P.O. Check out tours here: Lower New River Whitewater Rafting. Trails in the Fayetteville area provide access to some of the most spectacular overlooks in the park. For those who are interested in visiting additional NPS sites, there are two in the area: Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River. This probably isn't an activity suitable for anyone with an intense fear of heights, but is a really cool thing you can do here. This makes it one of the best rock climbing destinations in the United States. Youll likely need another day if you also want to do some hiking or other activities below. New River Gorge Bridge Rafting on the New River Views from the Endless Wall Trail You could also head north to the Gauley River National Recreation Area (also managed by the National Park Service), or to the beautiful Summersville Lake if you're craving more water activities. We discovered afterwards that the website said 12 and up for August, but my husband called before we saw that. No spam. Independence Day at the Fox River Trolley Museum Jul 4 9:00 am - 10:30 pm Fourth of July Parade, Concert, and Fireworks Jul 4 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm Bartlett Fourth of July Festival Free Jul 4 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Bingo Tuesdays at Bannerman's Jul 4 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Live Trivia Tuesday Nights at Booker's Bar and Grill . Basic Information The John Henry statue stands at the entrance to the Great Bend Tunnel, which is no longer in service, just east of the town of Hinton. With all the different areas, various activities and infrastructure, New River Gorge National Park just seems like the right designation. When you are driving, the bridge is not all that impressive, so be sure to check out the views from the visitor center or other areas of the park. Since the park is fairly spread out, youll probably do a decent amount of driving regardless of where you stay. The iconic steel arch bridge was once the longest in the world and welcomes travelers to this cherished region. Did You Know? There are several small towns close to the national park, and my choices of ones to stay in would include: And here are the different lodging options you can find in the New River Gorge: Camping within the national park is allowed along the New River but note that many of the campsites are primitive with no drinking water or hookups. We stayed in Fayetteville, which has a large number of local restaurants. And, seriously, the view off the back deck cant be beaten. Thus, we often question just how fitting a particular designation is. But, being such a small town, there arent many hotels or campgrounds. 3.2. Most recently, we even did a high ropes course on the Norwegian Breakaway while cruising the Western Caribbean. Adventures on the Gorge also has a small campground (electric hookups only) and a wide range of cabins and other glamping options. To understand travel before the bridge was built and enjoy close-up views of the gorge and river, be sure to drive Fayette Station Road. I'm not a mountain biking enthusiast, but Elliot is, so we made sure he was able to get in a half-day on the trails. Elliot and I drove from where we live just outside of Cleveland, Ohio in about 5 hours. Adventures on the Gorge offers half-day, full-day and overnight whitewater trips on the New River, all with a trained and experienced guide. We are renting a cabin near the park. On the second day, we went to the Fayetteville Station Road, could have spent some more time there but we had booked a Bridge Walk so needed to get back. The nearest airport is located in Charleston, West Virginia (~1 hour from the New River Gorge Bridge). As such, whitewater rafting is a very popular activity here (mid-March to mid-October). However, if you seek quiet and solitude, youll love winter in New River Gorge National Park. Of course, it also has maps and general hiking safety tips. Getting to Sandstone Falls isnt quick, but it is a nice drive and worth the time. Fayetteville is closest to the main visitor center and is a cute little town. 4. Visiting New River Gorge National Park with Little Kids A Mom Explores | Family Travel Tips, Destination Guides with Kids, Family Vacation Ideas, and more! Climbing is open year-round, but is best roughly late-April to mid-June and mid-September to late-October. Oddly, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of the newest additions to the national parks lineup. 25846, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. We have toured other mining towns, most notably the Blue Heron Mining Community at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in eastern Kentucky. Gary Hartley. Meanwhile, for the true daredevils, look into rafting on the nearby Gauley River in the fall, which is more intense and marked as being only for experienced rafters. Im just a small-town Ohio girl trying to balance a normal life with a desire to discover the world beyond my Midwest bubble. But if you just want to hit the highlights, I'd say 3-4 days is probably sufficient. If you'd rather stick to the ground, there are some interesting driving tours you can take within New River Gorge National Park. Check out our book,Moon USA RV Adventures. Here, you can check out a few exhibits and watch one of the park films. Adventures on the Gorge also offers a couple of different zip line and other aerial adventures. Looking for things to do. Peaceful forest trails, superb overlooks, and historic scenery are all found here. This bridge completely transformed travel in this area, reducing what was about a 45-minute drive down to about 45 seconds. The closest major airport is West Virginia International Yeager Airport, in the previously mentioned city of Charleston. 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. Did the Bridge Walk (a little expensive at $72 a person, but the thrill on being under the bridge at 850 ft made it worth it) and then the Long Point Trail. 2023 A Dangerous Business. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. Today, the New continues to shape one of the longest and deepest gorges in the Appalachians and offers a home to the areas most diverse population of plants and animals. Born out of a COVID-19 relief bill, New River Gorge became the nation's 63rd national park in December 2020. That is the boundary for the National Scenic River and the start of the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. Still, its a nice facility and the outdoor space would have been fantastic on a warm, sunny afternoon. When that word got out that, Hey, you can move to the New River Gorge, you know, if youve never heard of the New River Gorge, people are gonna start looking up New River Gorge, and theyre gonna find out that theres tons of stuff to do here, Naylor shared. Plus, the weather is lovely this time of year. Zipline Adventure in Lansing (which you can book here: Grab a coffee and a snack at Cathedral Cafe in Fayetteville. FairBridge Inn Express Barrington. All campsites are free. The park protects 53 miles of the New River, meaning it is quite stretched out along the river. This is what Elliot did, and he absolutely loved it! We're here to help with planning! While there is a decent amount of infrastructure already in place, some of the small towns surrounding the park could use additional lodging and camping options to accommodate the expected increase in visitation. The Perfect One Week West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary for the Outdoors Lover, Fayetteville (this is where Elliot and I stayed, and it's super cute with a surprising number of local restaurants), Beckley (where you'll find the chain hotels in the area). You covered everything and I took lots of notes. Interestingly, Thurmond remains an active passenger stop for Amtrak, despite its remote location. If you love outdoor adventure, youll love Bridge Day. In fact, the park publishes a 20-page newspaper listing all of the trails in the various areas of the park. Much of that section of the road was extremely rough and we were very glad that we had a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive. Comfort Inn Crystal Lake - Algonquin. This building features sustainable design and exhibits focus on the natural and cultural history of the area. In addition to a very limited whitewater season, the rapids on the Gauley River are rather challenging. Ascend West Virginia has already seen close to 100 participants placed in participating communities across the state. Advertisement Bridge Day pretty much signals the end of the outdoor activities season in the area, so be prepared for limited availability following the festival. These activities allow you to fully explore the park and surrounding area. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and Adventures on the Gorge, are nestled between West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains.Adventures on the Gorge abuts America's newest national park, overlooking the New River. The list really could go on for quite a bit longer, as there are all sorts of cool things to do in the New River Gorge. For more options, check out the NPS hiking guide to the park. Take in scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge, the most photographed attraction in West Virginia. We stopped in before ziplining and really enjoyed our massive breakfast sandwiches! You'll need a car to explore the park anyway, so you may as well fly into somewhere easy, and then just drive from there. In fact, it is older than the mountains themselves. That said, there are plenty of other hikes in the area that are probably far better if you just want to get out on the trail. We could just barely see the vent of a vault toilet and a break in the brush along the road. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Crystal Lake, IL. Before you leave the visitor center, be sure to check out the views of the New River Gorge Bridge. (The area where you can park IS marked on Google Maps as the Beauty Mountain Trail; if you visit, just be sure to be courteous to the people living nearby!). Respect the rights of others. Many of the areas ample trees are bare, so its not as picturesque as normal. As such, we did not feel the need to do a full tour of the ruins at Nuttallburg. Again, we are glad we made it to that park and were able to do something. Even better, The New River Gorge CVB says these new residents will boost the local economy while theyre there. Stop by one of the park's four visitor centers to find maps, information, learning opportunities, and help planning your visit. And great tip on the Fayetteville apartments Ill make a note of that in the post! Personally, we are perfectly ok with that there is no need to spend money to replace something that doesnt need replacing! We did the Treetops Zipline Canopy Tour, which is a 3-hour long tour that includes zipping, pedestrian suspension bridges and a free-hanging rappel. The real highlight of this area is the conveyor, which transported coal down the mountain, and tipple, where the coal was transferred to rail cars. The sixth-ever combo preserve and national park, New River Gorge is paradise for mountain climbers, hikers, rafters, and anyone else who enjoys their great outdoors served with a side of . If youve never toured a mining town, it would be a great learning opportunity. #3 of 14 things to do in Oak Hill. Additionally, it is good for fishing and hunting. We did this hike as an out-and-back from the Fern Creek Trailhead. We followed this road to Woods Ferry, another public access point for the river. Additionally, the bridge is a piece of structural art and one of the most recognizable sights in the park. Pocket all your trash, including cigarette butts and candy wrappers, and dispose of it properly. All rights reserved. Honestly, the trail was only minimally maintained and after the first 1/2 mile or so, you could not even see the river from the trail. You can hike the trail from two different trailheads near Fayette Station Road. And now we come to the real meat of this guide: all the amazing things you can DO at New River Gorge National Park. Within a distance of one-quarter of a mile from a restroom or pit toilet facility, human body waste must be appropriately disposed of in such facilities. Within New River Gorge National Park, there are about 100 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Arrowhead offers clinics and tours, or you can just rent one of their Trek mountain bikes and hit the 15 miles of trails on your own. Here, visitors can hop aboard a small coal train and ride through the passages of a vintage coal mine. Still, it was a cool experience and I am *mostly* glad that I did it. The beer was decent but nothing too exciting. The things to do in New River Gorge National Park are scattered along the New River. Note: some of our experiences were sponsored but all opinions expressed are our own. With so many outdoor activities, I would want reasonably warm weather. So, to visit this park, we first headed up to Summersville Dam. seen some cool stuff about old mining stuff. The bridge is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a national landmark in engineering, and is celebrated on the third Saturday in October each year at Bridge Day, when the bridge is closed to vehicle traffic and people base jump off the side. Things are quiet here in the winter, and a lot of things close from November-April. This short (about 0.5 miles) hiking trail loops off the boardwalk, allowing you to get closer views of the forest and access the river. The Top Things To Do In New River Gorge National Park, Best Hikes In New River Gorge National Park. More Information For Your West Virginia Vacation: download the transcript for free through the NPS website, Family Rafting In New River Gorge National Park, Zipline Tour near New River Gorge National Park, The Best Things To Do In Charleston, West Virginia, Colorado National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim: One Day Here, Rocky Mountain National Park: One Day Guide, Canyonlands National Park: Best Things To Do, National Park Gift Ideas: Perfect For National Park Lovers. If you want to do some hiking, we definitely recommend the trails below. New River Gorge National Park Visitor Centers: Things To Do Near New River Gorge National Park, Weather & When To Visit New River Gorge National Park. Youll wear a safety harness as you make your way across the 3,030-foot-long and two-foot-wide steel catwalk. If you'd prefer a cabin rental in the area, here are a few that look great: If you'd prefer a standard hotel stay near the New River Gorge, then your best bet is to stay in the town of Beckley, about 25 minutes to the south of the New River Gorge Bridge. He tells WVVA that the areas involvement in the Ascend West Virginia program can only be positive. Celebrate America's birthday in America's newest National Park. From either trailhead, it is about a 2-mile roundtrip hike to the main overlook at Diamond Point. 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. This physically demanding work was often times dangerous. Who's ready to plan a trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve now? In addition to the traditional national park activities, there are a few more exhilarating outdoor adventures at New River Gorge that allow you to fully embrace all the area has to offer. If you have the time and want to stretch your legs, this isnt a bad hike. P.S. At the overlook, youll be rewarded with sweeping views of the gorge, the bridge and the river below you. need to read your post on why you are not scared to travel alone Also looks like you havent visited India. We recommend the first part of the Grandview Rim Trail, out to North Overlook (roughly 1/2 mile one way). Basically, the park is long and skinny.. The New River Gorge is a really beautiful place, and of course you'll want to enjoy some of the views! One of the most popular ways to see New River Gorge National Park is to go down into the gorge, and luckily you can do it by car! Congress originally established the park in 1978 as New River Gorge National River. The closest major city is West Virginias capital, Charleston. Several can be easily connected to make for longer excursions. Ascend West Virginia pays remote workers $12,000 in cash to live and work in West Virginia for two years. Looking for more ideas? Are you planning a trip and trying to find things to do New River Gorge National Park and Preserve? A historic RR town, Thurmond recaptures the days when steel rails, steam, and coal were the major themes in our nation's history. The highlight of the park is the New River. WV We only had two full days so couldnt squeeze in everything you did, but were absolutely thrilled with what we did: rafting the Lower New River and hiking Endless Wall, Long Point, and Grandview/Castle Rock Loop trails. Cell phone coverage in the park is very spotty, so having physical copies of these items is better than relying on the website. The most popular time to visit is during the summer months, while my personal picks for visits would probably be late spring and fall. Be sure to check out the short park film, which is different from the one at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, and the exhibits on area resources and conservation. You dont want to miss out on this, its definitely one of the best things to do in New River Gorge National Park! This publication includes descriptions of each trail, along with length and directions to the trailhead. Make sure you have directions as you likely will not have cell service for much of the drive. Please do, it is a country with many facets. We especially liked watching the video of the days whitewater rafting trip! ), we had a blast and would definitely recommend it as a must-do. After visiting nearly 300 national park sites, we know that the various designations sometimes are very arbitrary. The park service directions state to watch for a break in a stone wall. In actuality, the site is just after the end of the stone wall. ), but thankfully there are plenty of water-based activities to partake in. In December 2020, the New River Gorge National River that winds through the Appalachian Mountains got re-designated to national park status, making New River Gorge National Park and Preserve the 63rd national park in the US and the very first in the state of West Virginia. New River Gorge Things To Do Whitewater Rafting Tamarack, WV Fayetteville, WV Lewisburg, WV New River Gorge Bridge Endless Wall Hiking Trail Restaurants Potter Jeff Diehl New River Gorge Things To Do 4.6 miles from New River Gorge. Yes, it is worth the effort to walk down to that overlook if you can. The Richmond Hamilton farmstead preserves the main house and two barns. Thanks again and cheers! Read the sites full Privacy / Disclosure policy here. From a chamber and a CVB standpoint, you know, its really nothing but good, I think.Were gonna get more notoriety and more experienced people visiting.. Below are some of the most popular trails in New River Gorge National Park: Tip: If you only have one day for hiking, I recommend the Grandview section of the park. This is the only day of the year the bridge is open to pedestrians, so you better believe locals and visitors take full advantage and have a ball with it. Assuming you're staying more than one day, there are several different lodging options at New River Gorge National Park. Check out the NPS website for more information regarding camping in the park. Honestly, though, I think two days at New River Gorge is a minimum. It should be an excellent time to visit. The first coal mine in the area was established by Joseph Beury in 1872, one year before the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad would reach the area and turn coal mining into a major industry. You can also hike to the Nuttall coal mine entrance, coke ovens, and old coal tipple in the abandoned mining town of Nuttallburg (the second mining town established in the gorge), or traverse a few hundred steps down to the Kaymoor mine site on the Kaymoor Miners Trail. According to the map, the trail does rejoin the river eventually, but we didnt go that far. Places To Go. There are many special places to visit in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Our first visit was the weekend after Thanksgiving and we had fairly mild weather. The forests here don't change all at once like in some other parts of the country, but that just means there's a longer display of fall foliage here. The New is best late-spring through early-fall. Summer is the busiest time of year in the New River Gorge. Looking for an RV travel guide for yourself or a friend? Best things to do at New River Gorge National Park Long Point Trail All Rights Reserved, Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. Summer is also when things get a bit hot and sticky in this part of West Virginia (the humidity is no joke! Cabin rentals and other vacation rentals are really popular throughout the New River Gorge, and you can find a lot on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. You could see the highlights in as little as half a day. They must be kept on a leash, and it goes without saying that you should bring water for them and clean up after them! Be sure you make it all the way to Diamond Point, which is clearly marked. The bridge is a modern architectural marvel; when it was completed, it was the longest single span arch bridge in the world, spanning 3030 feet (today it's still the third-longest bridge of its kind). (Need to rent a car? All in all we felt we covered everything. A good place to begin exploring this unique area is from one of the visitor centers. But its not in the New River Gorge, which is what this post is all about! Read our full campground review on RV Life here. Fayetteville is the closest town, located just outside the park, but has limited lodging options.
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