Photo:
JaGa / CC BY-SA 4.0
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.
The New River has cut a gorge up to 1,000 feet 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
