New River Gorge
National River

Visit the comprehensive New River Homepage.

A rugged, white water river, flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. Located in southern West Virginia, New River Gorge National River was established in 1978 to preserve and protect 53 miles of the New River as a free-flowing waterway. This unit of the National Park System encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River between the towns of Hinton and Fayetteville. The park and the surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history, and contain an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.

ACREAGE:

Total: 70,762.15 Federal: 42,873.63 Non-Federal: 27,888.52

Much of the land within the National Park Service authorized boundaries remains private property: please respect the owners' rights.

VISITATION:

Approximately 1.2 million annually. Highest in June, July, August and October; lowest in January.

E-MAIL:

NERI Information

ADDRESS:

New River Gorge National River

P.O. Box 246

Glen Jean, WV 25846

TELEPHONE:

(304) 465-0508

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Open year-round. Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended hours in the summer. Visitor centers in Thurmond, Grandview, and Hinton are open daily during the summer; Grandview and Hinton are open weekends during the off-season.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Climate is varied, without prolonged extremes of temperature or precipitation. Sturdy shoes or boots, rain gear, adequate protection from heat or cold suggested.

DIRECTIONS:

Located in southern West Virginia, just over one hour east of Charleston, and 20 minutes from Beckley.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: by personal vehicle via Interstate 64 & 77, U.S. Route 19. Airports in Beckley and Charleston; AMTRAK stops at Montgomery, Thurmond ("flag" stop - reservations required), Prince, and Hinton.
In Park: personal vehicle, by foot, or boat; bicycle and horseback on designated trails.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No entry fees.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Stop by our New River Homepage.
Sign our Guestbook.

Visitor Centers/Exhibits:

Canyon Rim Visitor Center (open year-round); Glen Jean Bank Visitor Center (seasonal); Thurmond Depot Visitor Center (seasonal); Grandview Visitor Center (seasonal); and Hinton Visitor Center (seasonal).

Trails, Roads:

Narrow, winding, mountain roads provide access to the New River. There are many miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails vary from easy to difficult in terrain and distance. Since the trail system and trail conditions are constantly changing, check at the park's visitor centers for current information..

Program/Activities:

Slide presentations, guided tours, walks, hikes, environmental education, craft demonstrations, etc.

Lodging and camping facilities:

Primitive camping at Stone Cliff, Army Camp, Grandview Sandbar, and Glade Creek.. There are no lodging facilities or developed campgrounds within the park, but there are many area facilities to accomodate your needs. Call the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-927-0263 or the West Virginia Travel Council at 1-800-CALLWVA,

Food/supplies:

Local restaurants, grocery stores.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Eastern National operates bookstores in the park.

Accessibility:

All visitor centers are accessible as are boardwalks at Canyon Rim and Sandstone Falls.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

White water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sight seeing, hiking and mountain biking, camping, picnicking, fishing, photography, horseback riding, rock climbing.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations for school groups and other educational groups should be made three weeks prior to your visit.

At least one month's notice and application for Special Use Permits is required. Filming permits are arranged on an individual basis. For additional information concerning reservations, special use or filming permits, call (304) 465-0508.

Reservations are required for picnic shelters at Grandview. Call (304) 465-8064.

No reservations are accepted for primitive camping. Campsites are visited by visitor protection rangers who register campers.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

An overnight stay is suggested to allow time to visit and enjoy the park. Some of the land within the boundaries is privately owned. Respect the rights of land owners. CSX railroad right-of-way is private. Rail lines are active.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Programs

Monthly activity schedules are posted at visitor centers. Summer activities include guided bus tours, walks and hikes, mountain bike rides, and evening programs. Winter activities focus on New River Neighbors programs, which feature local residents explaining life and work in this area during the coal mining era of the New River Gorge.

Bridge Day

Once a year, on the third Saturday in October, the New River Gorge Bridge is open to pedestrians, where a variety of activities draw up to a quarter of a million people. Great views, organized walks, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations, music, and a variety of vendors are all part of the Bridge Day events. Call the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-927-0263 for more information.

New River Excursion Train
Ride that New River Train through the scenic New River Gorge. Special excursions are offered in October only. Contact the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society at (304) 453-1641 for information.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Consultation with a ranger at a visitor center or ranger station is suggested before setting out on a camping or boating trip. This is an opportunity to obtain up-to-date information on river conditions, trails, etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write: Park Headquarters, P.O. Box 246, Glen Jean, WV 25846, (304) 465-0508.