20 Exciting Things To Do In New River Gorge National Park

1. Whitewater Rafting On The New River

This is one of the oldest rivers in the world, passes through the magnificent New River Gorge, and occupies 53 acres of the park. When you get into a raft, you feel expectancy and pleasure. As you raft, there is a possibility of encountering many Class IV rapids, where you are tossed by the waves and twists.

Newbie rafters can start with the Upper New River section, as this is an easier section with several spots for swimming and several beautiful features. All in all, it is one of the most thrilling New River Gorge things to do.

2. Go Rock Climbing

Situated in the heart of West Virginia, the New River Gorge is a haven for climbers, with over 1600 documented climbing routes. These routes cater to beginners looking to start their climbing journey and challenge experienced climbers. Provide a workout for professionals.

Once you get to the top of our climbs, you get to view the splendid view across the gorge. Because the routes turn and bend, every climb is a new story to write, and the New River Gorge is indeed a fairy tale for everybody.

3. Hike The Endless Wall Trail

The Endless Wall Trail is one of those simple, beautiful New River Gorge hikes that everyone should try in their lifetime. This 2.4-mile trail has the wonder of passing through a forest of very tall trees and beautiful flowers that give it a fairy tale touch.

That is why, during the walk, you will hear only the songs of the birds and the water of the Fern Creek that you will cross by the lovely wooden bridge. The best part? Toward the end of the trail, you come to the cliff’s edge, where you can look out upon the New River that lies between 900 and 1000 feet below.

4. Experience Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is fun for all riders on the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. The park provides several trail options, including wide, flat, easy trails for the family or more technical and undulating single-track trails into fabulous forests.

Bikes can be arranged from various stores in the area or by getting advice from a professional on the best riding routes and safety measures. Each of the rides gives you an excellent view of the gorge and the wildlife. If one is out for fun cycling or looking for an adrenaline pumping adventure, the New River Gorge is the perfect place to hit.

5. Walk On The Catwalk Beneath The New River Gorge Bridge

The new River Gorge Bridge West Virginia is actually, the longest single-arch bridge. It was made even better by the fact that you could walk on the catwalk beneath the bridge with a guide.

The bridge’s height stands at 851 feet above the New River. The bridge walk New River Gorge takes 2-3 hours and has a distance of 1.5 miles on a 24-inch wide catwalk.

During the walk, participants are securely harnessed to a safety cable, thus, one cannot fall during the walk. The climate on the catwalk is 10-15 degrees cooler than that of the air above the bridge, so wear a light jacket and comfortable shoes.

6. Visit The Sandstone Falls

At Sandstone Falls, the New River fans out in width and is 1,500 feet across, which makes it the widest waterfall. It consists of more than one waterfall, and the water falling ranges from 10 to 25 feet, making it quite attractive.

There is a short, canopied boardwalk that allows people with access to get very close to the falls. There are peculiar plant species and a special type of habitat that is found only in several places around the state, associated with Sandstone Falls.

To get there, one has to drive through beautifully curved roads, with some parts likely to offer an excellent view of the river.

7. Enjoy Breathtaking Views From Grandview Overlook

It is a scenic area that is approximately 1,400 feet above the New River, known as the Grandview Overlook. It affords an excellent view of the gorge through which a seven-mile stretch of the river runs.

This part of the park is ideal for hiking, picnicking, or even for a casual trail hike. This overlook is particularly used for observing sunrises and for the observation of whitewater rafters passing below, especially in the summer.

Grandview is an all-year-round facility; hence, it is recommendable to visit at any given time of the year.

8. Cast A Line For Fishing In The New River

The river harbors fish species like small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, crappies, bluegills, carp, and catfish. Angling is most effective in early spring and in autumn, when the water is not too warm and the fish are actively looking for food.

Fish prey is predominantly active at dawn and dusk. Using bait and lures, fishermen can catch fish. Typical examples of live baits are the nightcrawlers and the hellgrammites, while the artificial ones are the top-water crankbaits, spinner baits, minnows, or crawfish.

9. Participate In Bridge Day Annual Event

If you want to be a part of any events in New River Gorge National Park, then plan your visit around October. One of the famous events in this park is Bridge Day, held every year on the 3rd Saturday of October.

This is the only time in the year when the bridge is locked to vehicular traffic and opened for any human being who wishes to walk across the bridge and enjoy the fine view from the bridge.

Perhaps one of the highlights of Bridge Day is seeing the BASE jumpers flying off the bridge and paragliding down into the gorge. It is only permissible on this day, and therefore it is always a major attraction for fans.

10. Ziplining At ACE Adventure Resort

Ziplining at ACE Adventure Resort is fun for all. People get a chance to use harnesses move on specially fitted lines, and explore the breathtaking vistas of the chasm beneath.

The tour done on a zipline has nine zips, and two sky bridges making the tour exciting. The game can be played in pairs with a friend or a family member – you’ll be racing each other from one platform to another.

It has been designed for children aged eight and above and the whole tour may take around two and a half to three and a half hours. A night zipline, where you would be given only a headlamp is also an option for that extra adrenalin rush.

11. Take A Self-Guided Auto Tours

Auto tours are self-guided driving tours of the park with an audio message by a guide. These tours include details about the specific places that can be of interest to visitors to the park without a live guide.

The audio guide is activated as soon as you are on the move and is filled with information, directions, and music for tourists. They usually pass through important points of interest, such as the Canyon Rim Informative Visitors Centre where you get to view beautiful vistas and catch a brief history of the park.

12. Stay Overnight In Designated Campgrounds

Camping near New River Gorge offers a good experience for those who wish to spend a night in the camps. It has electric hookups, and there are eight official campgrounds in the park for tent and RV camping.

These are the no-frills campgrounds with no drinking water, no electricity, and few amenities. All sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecue grills. Camp free, but follow certain guidelines, in particular, camp only in the sanctioned regions.

Since most of the campgrounds are located several miles away from nearby stores, it is advisable to carry enough water and food supplies.

13. Spot Diverse Bird Species

The park is particularly noted for bird watching since more than 180 different species of birds have been recorded in that region. These birds visit the park to breed, and the warmer months tend to draw a lot of wood warblers, vireos, and thrushes.

For the birds, especially the migratory ones, this park acts as a corridor where they may feed and get shelter. Tourists meet beautiful birds, including the bald eagle, as well as the peregrine falcon that has its home on the cliffs.

Every year, thousands of hawks are sighted over the park during their migration in the fall season.

14. Find A Spot For Picnic

The New River Gorge National Park provides many great places to have a meal in the open. A popular one is the Canyon Rim Picnic Area, which has several picnic tables provided and nature around.

Lunch can also be taken from the nearby stores while relaxing under the trees and watching the New River Gorge and the fabulous bridge. The place is quiet and will be ideal for families or groups of friends who are seeking to take a chill. Visitors can find several trails to go for a walk, hike, or a short ride to lookouts that offer a panoramic view of the gorge after a meal.

15. Drive Fayette Station Road

Fayette Station Road is an eight-mile scenic drive through New River Gorge National Park. It is one of the best ways visitors can appreciate the natural scenery of the park while also enjoying its historical aspect.

It is a single long road with a determined winding along the edges of the New River Gorge, where it crosses under the New River Gorge Bridge three times. The entire drive is approximately 30–45 minutes long, but it is advisable to make frequent stops at the overlooks and interpretive exhibits.

On the way, you can observe the old ruins of coal mining towns that were developed in the gorge in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

16. Visit The Overlooks At Canyon Rim Visitor Center

The Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers scenic views of the New River Gorge as well as the New River Gorge Bridge. There are facilities of flat trails and covered wooden footbridges that take one to vantage points from where one can view the gorge.

Large windows are installed to ensure sufficient light and visibility, as well as to allow direct views from inside the centre. Besides, there are two observatories that offer a nice view of the bridge and the area around it. The exterior of the visitor centre has been designed to harmonise with nature through the use of sandstone and oak.

17. Explore The Nearby Hawks Nest State Park

Hawks Nest State Park is one of the most scenic parks in West Virginia, situated near the New River Gorge. It is approximately 370 acres large and famous for offering breathtaking vistas of the New River, which is 750 feet below the park's clifftop overlook.

It is also most accessible by road, and visitors might need a short 10-15 minute hike up to the gorge lookout deck, for the best views of the gorge.

The hiking trails, the picnic area, and the nature museum are other attractions that are found in the park. The aerial tramway that descends visitors to the riverfront is shut down at the moment; however, there is not a lack of things to do.

18. Explore Thurmond Historic District

Thurmond, a quaint town nestled in West Virginia, is nestled within the boundaries of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. While it used to be a hub for both commerce and living, nowadays only a handful of residents call it home.

The Thurmond Historic District encompasses the entirety of the town. Extends slightly onto the land across the river. In the days gone by, Thurmond was isolated from motorized transportation, with rail being the means of reaching this location.

However, it is a rather interesting place to travel to and to discover. It gives a person a look into the past and shows just how much the railroad and coal mining meant to that region.

19. Attend Ranger-Led Programs

Ranger-led activities at the park are sociable, enjoyable, and distinctive activities for people of all ages. These programs enable visitors to move around the park with park rangers who enlighten visitors on some facts about the area.

The opportunities for hikes with an accompanying explanation of the plants and animals observed during the walk, as well as the geological structure of the trails, are sectioned with a ranger. There are also such additional events as lectures in visitors’ centers and strolls in historical areas.

20. Hike Down The Kaymoor Miners Trail

The Kaymoor Miners Trail is a thrilling and stiff trail that is situated in New River Gorge Park. This is a 1-mile, one-way trail that descends down steep steps and switches back to the location of a former coal mine.

Hikers will descend 900 feet in elevation, which can be a challenge on the way up. There are 821 wooden steps to contend with. The trail follows the gorge and offers excellent views of the several structures and parts of mining equipment.

It must be stated that the trail does not take visitors to the river, and it is asked that the history of the structures not be defiled by climbing on them.