New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
National park · Fayette County
West Virginia
Highlights
Hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and scenic views
Hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and scenic views
"It's a sprawling, free-to-visit park that follows 53 miles of the New River across roughly 70,000 acres and was designated the newest U.S. national park in December 2020. The gorge is billed as one of the longest and deepest in the Appalachians, dominated by the 876-foot-high New River Gorge Bridge (one of the longest single-span steel arch bridges in the Western Hemisphere); while the bridge isn't open to pedestrians year-round, you can book a guided walk on the maintenance catwalk or visit on Bridge Day (the third Saturday in October) when it's open to pedestrians and base jumpers. The park is excellent for whitewater rafting and hiking—spring brings dense rhododendron blooms, fall offers spectacular foliage, and late summer/early fall includes “Gauley Season” when the nearby dam releases make for world-class rafting. Plan ahead by checking the park map and visitor-center hours (Thurmond Depot and Grandview are seasonal; Canyon Rim and Sandstone are generally open daily), use the free NPS app for self-guided tours, and note that many campsites are first-come, first-served, some roads are narrow for large campers, and the park contains a variety of trails from the easy, river-paralleling Southside Trail to Grandview Rim Trail for river overlooks and the strenuous, history-rich Kaymoor Miners Trail." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A sprawling Appalachian conservation area known for rugged river valleys and scenic mountain scenery, offering outdoor recreation and gateway access from nearby small towns that serve as launch points for hiking, climbing, and river-centric adventures." - Caroline Eubanks Caroline Eubanks Caroline Eubanks is a Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel writer and the author of “This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States.” Her work has been published by Condé Nast Traveler, Garden & Gun, Architectural Digest, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"One of the newest national parks in the U.S., offering winter recreation and scenic views of the New River Gorge." - Madeline Weinfield
"A national park in West Virginia known for its deep canyons and whitewater river." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s
"A rugged outdoor destination geared toward adventure-based family trips; organized camping journeys in the park include whitewater rafting, extensive hiking, and canopy-level ropes-course challenges suitable for children eight and older, catering to active, experience-driven families." - Lauren Matison Lauren Matison Lauren Matison is a writer and editor specializing in outdoor adventure, sustainability, and family travel. She is a frequent contributor at National Geographic, Thrillist, The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Outside, and Shape. She was the Green Getaways columnist at Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
