New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

West Virginia

Managed by National Park Service

Established 1978 National River, 2020 National Park

72,808 acres

Overview

Ironically, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world at 65-million years. In the 50 miles from Bluestone Dam to Gauley Bridge it falls 750 feet in elevation, meaning it is full of Class I to V rapids that attract whitewater rafters from around the world. On December 27, 2020, the park was changed from a National River to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to still allow hunting on 90% of its acreage.

Learn more about how to visit this National Park in the expanded second edition of our guidebook A Park to Yourself: Finding Solitude in America’s 63 National Parks.

Highlights

Bridge, scenic views, hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, free campgrounds

Must-Do Activity

Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers information and great views of the New River Gorge Bridge. From there you can drive down the twisty road to the river. Most visitors come here for whitewater rafting, so you should consider hiring a guide to take you out.

Best Trail

The Endless Wall Trail makes a three-mile loop trail that provides great views of the New River Gorge and the bridge, as well as access to some of the park’s 1,600 rock climbing routes.

Instagram-worthy Photo

Completed in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge on Highway 19 is the second longest single-steel span in the world. Highway 82 passes underneath where it rises 876 feet above the river.