New River Gorge National Park
The New River Gorge is a rugged canyon of ancient river and Appalachian forest in southern West Virginia, and, paradoxically, one of the oldest rivers on the continent. Famous for world-class whitewater, sandstone cliffs beloved by climbers, and the soaring arch of the New River Gorge Bridge, it became a national park in 2020, protecting a deep, wild gorge threaded with history.
Fast facts
- Established: national river 1978; national park and preserve in 2020
- Size: about 7,000 acres (28 km²) of park (within a larger protected corridor)
- The bridge: the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel-arch spans in the hemisphere
- Whitewater: some of the best rafting in the eastern U.S.
- Gateway: Fayetteville, West Virginia
- Managed by: National Park Service
The landscape
The New River has cut a gorge up to 1,000 feet (300 m) deep through the Appalachian Plateau, its whitewater tumbling past sandstone cliffs and dense hardwood forest. The rim and slopes are laced with climbing crags, trails and the remnants of old coal towns and railroads, while the bridge leaps the canyon in a single dramatic span high above the river.
Best time to go
Spring through fall is the active season, with rafting running high in spring and settling through summer, and fall painting the gorge in color, the busiest and most beautiful time, capped by the famous Bridge Day. Winter is quiet and cold, with bare trees opening long views and climbers and hikers having the trails to themselves.
Getting there and around
The park lies in southern West Virginia off US-19 and I-64 near Fayetteville, with the Canyon Rim visitor center by the bridge as the main hub. A vehicle is the practical way to reach the scattered overlooks, trailheads, climbing areas and river put-ins along both rims of the gorge.
Things to do
Raft the New River’s rapids with an outfitter, climb the sandstone crags that draw climbers from around the world, and hike or bike trails to overlooks like Long Point and Endless Wall. Take in the bridge from the Canyon Rim boardwalk, explore historic mining towns, and fish or paddle the quieter stretches.
Top 10 things to do in New River Gorge National Park →
Staying safe
The whitewater is powerful and the water cold, so raft with a reputable outfitter and respect the river. Climbing and cliff-edge trails carry real fall risk, rock gets slick when wet, and the terrain is steep and rugged. Know your limits, watch for ticks and snakes, and carry water and a map.
Know before you go
There is no entrance fee; rafting is booked through outfitters, and camping is largely first-come. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, river levels and closures with the National Park Service before your trip.
- Coordinates
- 37.9369, -81.0169
- Magnetic declination
- 8.3° W (2026)
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass
A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.
Getting there 2
Visitor centre
Ranger station
On the trail 13
Trailheads
Route
Hut or shelter
Sights 11
Viewpoints
Waterfall
Heritage sites
Point of interest
Peak
Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).
Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →
- Best seasons
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Difficulty
- Easy to strenuous
- Access / trailheads
- In southern West Virginia off US-19 and I-64, near Fayetteville; the Canyon Rim visitor center and the New River Gorge Bridge are the main landmarks.
- Water
- Potable water at visitor centers; carry water on trails and treat river water.
- Cell / satellite coverage
- Patchy cell service in the gorge. Carry a map.
- Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
- Contact park rangers; life-threatening emergencies: 911.
- Permits & regulations
- No entrance fee; commercial rafting is run by outfitters, and backcountry camping is first-come with some designated sites. Climbing is self-managed.
- Leave No Trace
- Stay on trails and established climbing areas, pack out all waste, and follow Leave No Trace.
January
- Below-freezing nights
February
- Below-freezing nights
March
- Below-freezing nights
April
May
June
July
August
September
October This month
November
December
- Below-freezing nights
What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.
Plan a trip here →Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Oak Hill station, 6 miles (9 km)9 km (6 miles) away at 2,040 feet (622 m)622 m (2,040 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.
Nearby parks
-
Grayson Highlands State Park
Wild ponies on open balds above 5,000 feet (1,520 m), next to Mount Rogers, Virginia's highest peak, on the AT.
-
Hanging Rock State Park
Quartzite summits, cliff-top views and five waterfalls in the Sauratown Mountains, the range that stands apart from the Blue Ridge.
-
Pilot Mountain State Park
A quartzite knob visible for miles across the North Carolina Piedmont, with summit overlooks, cliff-foot trails and a quiet stretch of the Yadkin River.
-
Shawnee State Forest
The Little Smokies of Ohio: 60,000 acres (240 km²) of steep hills, with the state's longest backpacking trail.
Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.
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