New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, designated in 2020 as America’s newest national park, protects a spectacular and rugged 53-mile canyon where the ancient New River cuts deep through the Appalachian Plateau of southern West Virginia. Despite its name, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world, and over countless ages it has carved a magnificent gorge of sandstone cliffs, whitewater rapids and dense Appalachian forest.

Long a destination for adventurers, the gorge is world-renowned for its whitewater rafting — among the finest in the eastern United States — and its sandstone cliffs draw rock climbers from around the globe. Spanning the canyon is the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, once the longest steel arch bridge in the world, a symbol of West Virginia and the site of the famous Bridge Day. With its whitewater, climbing, hiking, rich coal-mining history and dramatic scenery, New River Gorge is a magnificent crown jewel of the Appalachians.

New River Gorge National Park is a premier outdoor-adventure destination — world-class whitewater rafting and kayaking on the New River’s rapids, rock climbing on more than 1,400 routes on the sandstone cliffs, hiking and mountain biking on dozens of trails, the famous New River Gorge Bridge and its overlooks, fishing, and exploring the ghost towns and coal-mining history of the gorge. Bridge Day brings BASE jumping and rappelling off the bridge each fall. The combination of whitewater, climbing, trails, history and dramatic scenery makes the park a magnificent Appalachian adventure hub.

Spring and fall are prime — spring for high water and exciting whitewater plus wildflowers, and fall for spectacular color across the gorge, world-class climbing weather, and the famous Bridge Day in October. Summer is lush and popular for rafting (the milder upper river suits families) and the trails, while winter offers bare-canyon views and solitude. Whitewater seasons vary by river section; fall color and Bridge Day are highlights. Plan rafting around the season and water levels, and visit in fall for the finest scenery.

The New River Gorge is steeped in the history of Appalachian coal — in the late 1800s and early 1900s, dozens of coal towns and coke ovens lined the gorge, served by the railroad that still runs along the river, before the mines closed and the towns faded into the forest as atmospheric ghost towns. The iconic New River Gorge Bridge opened in 1977, dramatically shortening the crossing. Protected as a national river in 1978 and redesignated a national park and preserve in 2020, the gorge preserves both its wild canyon and its rich industrial heritage.

The New River, despite its name, is among the oldest rivers in the world, and over immense time it has carved a deep gorge through the resistant sandstone and shale of the Appalachian Plateau, exposing layers of ancient rock and rich coal seams. The hard Nuttall sandstone forms the towering cliffs prized by climbers and the rim of the 1,000-foot-deep gorge, while the river continues to cut and tumble through the canyon in powerful rapids. The ancient river and the resistant rock created this magnificent and rugged Appalachian canyon.

The forests, cliffs and river of New River Gorge host white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, foxes, bobcats, and a rich community of birds, including woodland species, hawks and the peregrine falcons that nest on the cliffs, while the New River supports a renowned warmwater fishery of smallmouth bass and other fish. The biodiverse Appalachian forest and the river corridor support abundant wildlife. The park is an excellent place for wildlife watching and birding amid its gorge, cliffs and dense forest in southern West Virginia.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects one of the richest and most biodiverse areas in the central Appalachians, where the deep gorge, the ancient river, sandstone cliffs, varied microclimates and extensive forest support an extraordinary diversity of plants and animals, including rare species and one of the most diverse assemblages of plants in any U.S. river gorge. The New River’s warmwater fishery is renowned. Protecting the gorge, the river’s water quality, the cliffs and the forest sustains a globally significant Appalachian ecosystem.

New River Gorge holds a treasured place as America’s newest national park and an icon of West Virginia, its dramatic bridge and wild canyon symbols of the state, and its whitewater and climbing world-renowned. The gorge’s rich Appalachian coal heritage — the railroad, the coke ovens, the ghost towns — and the famous Bridge Day weave human history through the wild landscape. The park embodies the rugged beauty, the industrial past and the adventurous spirit of the Appalachians, a beloved and magnificent natural and cultural landmark.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is in southern West Virginia near Fayetteville, Beckley and Hinton, off US-19 and Interstate 64, with the iconic bridge near Fayetteville. The park is free to enter. It offers visitor centers (including Canyon Rim at the bridge), overlooks, dozens of trails, climbing access, rafting outfitters, fishing and river access, and historic sites. The famous bridge and overlooks are easily reached; the gorge trails are rugged. Check the National Park Service for visitor centers, rafting outfitters and conditions before visiting.

The National Park Service protects the New River, the gorge, its sandstone cliffs, the forests and the historic sites of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Visitors help by staying on trails, climbing responsibly and respecting cliff closures (including for nesting peregrine falcons), rafting with licensed outfitters or proper skills, protecting the river’s water quality and fishery, packing out everything, treating historic and archaeological sites with care, being bear-aware, and storing food. Protecting the gorge, the ancient river and the biodiverse forest sustains this magnificent and globally significant Appalachian park.

New River Gorge demands respect — the whitewater is powerful and dangerous, for guided trips or expert paddlers only, and the cliffs and gorge rim have steep, deadly drop-offs, so stay on trails and overlooks, keep well back from the edges, and supervise children closely. Rock climbing requires proper skills and gear. The trails are rugged; carry water, wear sturdy footwear, and be bear-aware, storing food. Watch the weather and water levels, raft with licensed outfitters, and respect the power of the ancient river and the heights of the gorge.

The park is free to enter. Stay on trails and back from the dangerous cliff and gorge edges. Climb responsibly and heed cliff closures (including for nesting peregrine falcons). Raft with licensed outfitters or proper skills; follow river and fishing regulations and licensing. Camp only in designated areas. Treat historic and archaeological sites with care; collecting is prohibited. Store food in bear country; pets must be leashed. Drones are prohibited. Pack out all trash. Check the National Park Service for current rules and conditions before visiting.

The adventure town of Fayetteville, the cities of Beckley and Hinton, and the surrounding mountains of southern West Virginia lie near the park, with the Gauley River (renowned for fall whitewater), Sandstone Falls, the coalfields and the Appalachian forests within reach. The park’s ghost towns and the railroad line the gorge. New River Gorge anchors a premier outdoor-adventure region of whitewater, climbing and dramatic canyon scenery in the heart of the West Virginia Appalachians.

Take in the iconic New River Gorge Bridge from the Canyon Rim overlooks, then choose your adventure — raft the world-class whitewater with a licensed outfitter (the gentler upper New suits families, the lower New and the nearby Gauley are bigger), climb the famous sandstone cliffs, or hike the gorge and rim trails to overlooks and ghost towns. Visit in fall for spectacular color and Bridge Day, keep well back from the cliff edges, store food in bear country, and base in Fayetteville.