National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
New River Gorge National RiverView from Diamond Point
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
New River Gorge National River
Bicycling at New River Gorge
Woman riding mountain bike down 2-foot wide trail.
Mountain biking on a trail within New River Gorge National River.

The beautiful landscapes and less challenging bike routes make the New River Gorge among the most popular destinations for mountain biking trips in the eastern U.S. Bike shops, mountain biking trails, outfitters and companies offering guided biking tours of the New River Gorge and nearby areas may be found throughout the region.

The park currently allows bicycles on the following trails within New River Gorge National River:

Brooklyn to Southside Junction
Cunard to Kaymoor Trail
Stonecliff Trail
Thurmond to Minden Trail

Bicycles are also permitted on the Bluestone Turnpike Trail at Bluestone National Scenic River.

More bicycle trails may be added to the park trail system in the future, after completion of the park's General Management Plan.

Mountain biking trails are also found at nearby Summersville Lake and Little Beaver State Park.

Cyclist are asked to follow these rules and guidelines:

  • Only ride on trails open to bicyles.
  • Leave not trace - pack it in, pack it out.
  • Control your bicycle!
  • Be considerate of other trail users.
  • Do not disturb or scare birds or animals.
  • Plan ahead.
Historic Logging Railroad at Garden Ground  

Did You Know?
The New River Gorge was logged extensively thoughout the past century. The landscape is now recovering, with the park ecosystem returning to its more natural state, but there are still plenty of signs of the past activities.

Last Updated: August 24, 2007 at 14:22 EST