Complete Guide to New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

March 11, 2024

America’s newest national park is located in wild and wonderful West Virginia. We spent Labor Day weekend hiking through lush scenery and camping on the river, amazed by this unspoiled treasure of the East. This guide to New River Gorge National Park covers how to get there, where to camp and the top things to do per area.

Getting There

New River Gorge National Park is nestled in the woods of West Virginia. The 63rd national park seeks to protect the beautiful New River Gorge, created by one of the oldest rivers in the world. The park is not delimited, as it follows the river while intertwining with towns and civilization. Since there is no real entrance, there are no entrance fees charged. The best place to start your visit is at one of the four visitor centers in the park: Grandview, Canyon Rim, Sandstone and Thurmond Depot.

Traveling from Virginia’s East Coast with our teardrop trailer in tow, we cut the six-hour drive in half with a stay at Douthat State Park. As of one Virginia’s six original state parks, camping spots here are always in high demand. The Lakeside Campground offer sites right on the lake with stunning views at the crack of dawn.

Where to Stay

New River Gorge National Park counts eight primitive campgrounds, which all operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. In return for roughing it without hookups or showers, camping is completely free. The campgrounds are fairly small and fill up quickly in summer, especially on holiday weekends.

We selected three campgrounds in the Grandview area of the park: Grandview Sandbar, Army Camp and Glade Creek. All three are located right on the river and offer both tent and RV campsites. Sandbar was completely full by the time we arrived, around noon on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. But we got lucky on our second attempt and snatched the very last spot at Army Camp.

Our stay at Army Camp was wild and wonderful. With just 11 spots, the campground offers a secluded camping experience surrounded by beautiful scenery. We took a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear river after hiking, which more than made up for the lack of showers.

Top Activities per Area

There are three main areas in the park: Grandview in the center, Canyon Rim in the north and Sandstone in the southeast, each one equipped with a visitor center. With two days, you could squeeze in all three areas of the park. We sticked to Grandview and Canyon Rim, where most highlights are located.

Grandview

Main Overlook

We started in the Grandview area of the park with a first view of the impressive gorge from the Main Overlook. This popular viewpoint is just steps away from the Grandview Visitor Center. Several short but rewarding trails depart from this point.

Castle Rock Trail & Grandview Rim Trail

From the Main Overlook, you can start the 1.1-mile Castle Rock Trail. If hiked counterclockwise, the trail runs past impressive rock formations before connecting with the Grandview Rim Trail halfway.

The Grandview Rim Trail provides access to the North Overlook, one of the most impressive viewpoints in the park. It is easy to see why New River Gorge is labeled the “Grand Canyon of the East”.

Canyon Rim

New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

A short path from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center leads to two viewpoints of the New River Gorge Bridge. The bridge is an iconic sight in West Virginia and an impressive feat of engineering. The steel arch of the bridge was the longest in the world until recently.

New River Gorge Bridge Walk

Once a year on Bridge Day, the top of the vehicle bridge is opened to pedestrians. On any other day, you can take a daunting guided tour that crosses the catwalk beneath the New River Gorge Bridge. Even though you are fastened onto a safety cable, this adventure is not for the faint-hearted.

Endless Wall Trail

The trailhead for the Endless Wall Trail is located a short drive from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. We hiked the 3-mile trail as a counterclockwise loop, leaving from the small parking lot at the trailhead and walking back the last stretch along the road. The first part of the trail has several great viewpoints, but the grand finale is Diamond Point Overlook. We enjoyed a picnic with stunning views, before making our way downhill through the forest.

Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive

The Fayette Station Road is an 8-mile scenic drive to the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the road, scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge from below await. From the side of the river, you can watch rafters overcome the last rapids before returning to shore.

Whitewater Rafting

The New River is a prime location for whitewater rafting. You can pick between different degrees of difficulty, depending on the section of the river. The Upper River Section promises a tranquil ride with easy rapids, while the Lower River Section is packed with action but still suited for first timers. The NPS website has a list with commercial outfitters for rafting trips.

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