New River Gorge National River

Don't let the name fool you - the New River, located in southern West Virginia, is among the world's oldest rivers (second only to the Nile). Its craggy, 1,000-foot-deep, mile-wide gorge is a haven for nature and outdoor lovers from around the world. The ancient river flows north awkwardly, carving a rugged canyon and creating the East's biggest whitewater river.A national park since 1978, New River Gorge National River comprises 53 miles of waterway and more than 70,000 acres along its banks between Hinton and Fayetteville, WV. The park and surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history, with an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. Abandoned coal mining towns and remnants of the area's industrial past add intrigue to the countless miles of hiking and biking trails within the park.New River Gorge National River is probably most famous for its annual "Bridge Day Festival," during which base jumpers from across the globe invade the tiny town of Fayetteville to leap (with parachutes, of course) from the massive New River Gorge Bridge (the country's second-highest bridge) to the river nearly 900 feet below.

What to See and Do:

• The New River Gorge Bridge is located on U.S. Route 19, about 30 minutes north of Beckley and 30 minutes south of Summersville. Stop by the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for a short hike down to the bridge overlook bridge, and for more information on the park.

• A variety of different hiking and mountain biking trails wind throughout the park. They range from 1/4 mile to 7 miles in length, while the difficulty varies from flat, smooth walking to steep, challenging terrain.
• Within the 63,000 acres of New River Gorge National River are over 1,400 established rock climbs, making "The New" one of the most popular climbing areas in the country. The cliffs at New River Gorge are made up a a very hard sandstone, and range from 30 to 120 feet in height.
• Fishing is a popular activity on the New River, which offers anglers the opportunity to catch bass (smallmouth, largemouth, striped, and rock), walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, or flathead and channel catfish. Numerous public access points are available.

• The New River offers whitewater paddling opportunities for pretty much everyone. There are commercial rafting trips available from a number of licensed outfitters, with options for peaceful float trips to whitewater thrills.

How to Get There:

New River Gorge National River is located in southern West Virginia. It is one hour east of Charleston, WV; four hours south of Pittsburgh, PA; five hours southwest of Washington, DC; and three hours north of Charlotte, NC. It is easily accessed from Interstates 77 and 64, and U.S. Route 19.

Hours:

Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. New River Gorge National River is open year round.

New River Gorge National River
P.O. Box 246
Glen Jean, WV 25846
(304) 574-2115