• New River flowing through the gorge

    New River Gorge

    National River West Virginia

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Rend Trail closure

    Repairs to the stone retention wall will cause closures from June through September, 2013. More »

  • Glade Creek Closures in Effect

    Sections of the Glade Creek area will be periodically closed in June and July as the NPS prepares for projects to increase accessibility in popular sites in the Middle Gorge. More »

Reptiles

black rat snake

black rat snake

Nearly 40 species of reptiles have been documented at New River Gorge National River. Species of special concern that occur within the park include the common map turtle, eastern river cooter, broadhead skink, eastern worm snake, and rough green snake.

Fence lizards, five-lined skinks, black rat snakes, garter snakes, ringneck snakes, copperheads, and eastern box turtles are all commonly seen throughout the park.

Hikers will occasionally encounter a copperhead or timber rattlesnake, the two venomous snakes found in the park. They are not normally aggressive if you keep away and give them a chance to escape. See the page on snake safety for further information.

 
snapping turtle

Snapping Turtle

 
Northern Water Snake

Northern Water Snake

Did You Know?

BASE Jumper at New River Gorge

One day each year, hundreds of BASE (Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth) jumpers come to New River Gorge to parachute from the New River Gorge Bridge.