National Park · NPS · WV
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Photo: Gary Hartley, Sunrise at Diamond Point
Alerts and conditions
Information Arrowhead and Craig Branch Trails closed for prescribed burn
The Arrowhead Bike Trails and Craig Branch Trail will be closed on Tuesday November 10 and Wednesday November 11 for a prescribed burn that is planned for that area. Depending on weather conditions, the closure could extend to Thursday.
Information Burnwood Campground and Restroom Closure
The Burnwood group campground will be closed from October 5 through mid November due to a construction project to replace water lines. During that time restroom facilities will be closed at the Burnwood Trailhead.
Information Rend Trail Closed through December 2027
The Rend Trail is closed for trail Improvements that will include a new parking area, restroom, and a small picnic area overlooking Arbuckle Creek at the Minden trailhead, structural improvements to five historic railroad trestles along the trail, and full trail surface rehabilitation. Additionally, construction of a large accessible ramp over the ‘big rock’ will replace a stairway, resulting in the only fully accessible earthen surface trail located within the park.
Information Kaymoor Miners Trail Closure
From June 15 through November 19 the upper part of the Kaymoor Miners Trail (from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site at the junction with the Kaymoor Trail) will be closed Monday through Thursday due to a trail rehab project. The trail is expected to be fully open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Overview
A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Theater
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Astronomy
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Climbing
- Rock Climbing
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting and Gathering
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Whitewater Rafting
- Junior Ranger Program
- Playground
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
Plan your visit
Hours
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: The park itself is open 24 hour a day, year round. The park's two main visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day). There are two seasonal Visitor Centers located in Thurmond and Grandview. They are typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Getting there
To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations. Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions.
Visitor centers
- Thurmond Depot Visitor Center
- Canyon Rim Visitor Center
- Grandview Visitor Center
- Sandstone Visitor Center
Campgrounds
- Glade Creek Campground (11 sites)
- Grandview Sandbar (16 sites)
- Army Camp (11 sites)
- Stone Cliff (7 sites)
- Thayer Campground (4 sites)
- War Ridge/Backus Mountain Campground (8 sites)
- Brooklyn Campground (5 sites)
- Burnwood Group Campsite (1 sites)
- Meadow Creek Campground (17 sites)
Weather
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
Phone: 304-465-0508
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Bluestone National Scenic River NPS · 21 miles
- Gauley River National Recreation Area NPS · 24 miles
- Jefferson National Forest USFS · 43 miles
- Bear Creek National Scenic Area USFS · 69 miles
- Monongahela National Forest USFS · 76 miles
- Mount Rogers National Recreation Area USFS · 83 miles