https://www.nps.gov/blue News releases from Bluestone National Scenic River. en-us https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/oral-history-recordings-made-available-to-public-on-new-river-gorge-npp-website.htm Thu, 04 Sep 2025 07:56:00 EST Staff at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are pleased to announce that oral history recordings of residents and others with knowledge of the park and region are now available for listening and downloading on the park’s website. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/oral-history-recordings-made-available-to-public-on-new-river-gorge-npp-website.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2025-youth-arts-in-the-parks-contest-now-open.htm Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:38:00 EST Local students can help celebrate southern West Virginia ecology through art. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2025-youth-arts-in-the-parks-contest-now-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-npp-vip-jacki-wright-wins-regionwide-award.htm Mon, 16 Sep 2024 11:17:00 EST Volunteer Jacki Wright was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for 2023 https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-npp-vip-jacki-wright-wins-regionwide-award.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/nrgnpp-announces-2024-hidden-history-happenings.htm Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:46:00 EST Programs celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/nrgnpp-announces-2024-hidden-history-happenings.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-at-the-three-national-parks-in-southern-west-virginia-contributed-96-5-million-to-local-economy.htm Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:41:00 EST Report shows visitor spending supports 1,268 jobs in nearby communities https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-at-the-three-national-parks-in-southern-west-virginia-contributed-96-5-million-to-local-economy.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2024-appalachian-spring-wildflower-art-exhibit-opens-at-tamarack-and-online.htm Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:02:00 EST You can now view the winning artwork for the Youth Arts in the Parks 2024 Appalachian Spring Wildflower Art Contest online and at Tamarack Marketplace. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2024-appalachian-spring-wildflower-art-exhibit-opens-at-tamarack-and-online.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2024-spring-nature-fling-celebrates-regional-ecology-mid-march-through-may-in-southern-west-virginia.htm Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:25:00 EST NPS announces Spring Nature Fling event! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2024-spring-nature-fling-celebrates-regional-ecology-mid-march-through-may-in-southern-west-virginia.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/visitation-increases-in-2023-for-all-three-national-park-sites-in-southern-west-virginia.htm Mon, 26 Feb 2024 11:16:00 EST Visitation increased across the board at all three national park sites in southern West Virginia in 2023. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/visitation-increases-in-2023-for-all-three-national-park-sites-in-southern-west-virginia.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2024-art-contest-near-deadline.htm Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:05:00 EST Area youth can help highlight southern West Virginia ecology through this art contest. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2024-art-contest-near-deadline.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2024-youth-arts-in-the-parks-contest-now-open.htm Thu, 14 Dec 2023 10:56:00 EST Local students can help celebrate southern West Virginia ecology through art. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2024-youth-arts-in-the-parks-contest-now-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/news/reducing-deer-numbers-and-removing-invasive-plants-are-key-to-long-term-forest-health.htm Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:20:00 EST Most forests in eastern United States national parks are at risk due to browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer and crowding by invasive plants, according to a National Park Service (NPS) study published in the journal Ecological Applications. https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/news/reducing-deer-numbers-and-removing-invasive-plants-are-key-to-long-term-forest-health.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/sellars-superintendent-2022.htm Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:19:00 EST National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has selected Charles Sellars as the new superintendent of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. He will also manage both Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River, in southern West Virginia. He is expected to begin his new assignment after the new year. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/sellars-superintendent-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1465/national-park-tourism-in-west-virginia-creates-131-million-in-economic-benefit.htm Wed, 13 Jul 2022 10:11:00 EST A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2,187,125 visitors to national parks in West Virginia spent $108.9 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 1,447 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $131 million. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1465/national-park-tourism-in-west-virginia-creates-131-million-in-economic-benefit.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2021-art-contest-nears-deadline.htm Fri, 05 Feb 2021 12:04:00 EST Area youth can help highlight southern West Virginia ecology through this art contest. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2021-art-contest-nears-deadline.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-celebrates-black-history-month.htm Wed, 03 Feb 2021 06:46:00 EST February is Black History Month and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is highlighting the park’s African American Heritage Tour. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-celebrates-black-history-month.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2021-contest-entry-window-open.htm Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:04:00 EST Area youth can help celebrate southern West Virginia ecology through art. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2021-contest-entry-window-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/friends-of-new-river-gorge-national-river-plan-for-2021.htm Wed, 09 Dec 2020 05:37:00 EST Friends of New River Gorge National River supported the park in presenting multiple programs and activities in 2020. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/friends-of-new-river-gorge-national-river-plan-for-2021.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2021-youth-arts-in-the-parks-contest-now-open-for-wildlife.htm Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:09:00 EST Local students can help celebrate southern West Virginia ecology through art. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2021-youth-arts-in-the-parks-contest-now-open-for-wildlife.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/twelfth-annual-hidden-history-weekend-and-2020-photo-contest-exhibit-are-here.htm Wed, 23 Sep 2020 11:13:00 EST Discover hidden history stories of New River Gorge at Hidden History Weekend. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/twelfth-annual-hidden-history-weekend-and-2020-photo-contest-exhibit-are-here.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2020-hidden-history-photo-contest-announced.htm Mon, 24 Aug 2020 11:55:00 EST Celebrate southern West Virginia’s cultural heritage by entering this photo contest. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2020-hidden-history-photo-contest-announced.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-70-million-in-economic-benefits.htm Fri, 26 Jun 2020 11:43:00 EST NPS report shows that 1,356,700 visitors to New River Gorge National River, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Gauley River National Recreation Area spent $60,400,000 in communities near the three parks in 2019. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-70-million-in-economic-benefits.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2020-youth-arts-in-the-parks-online-exhibit-gets-people-in-the-mood-for-spring.htm Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:57:00 EST Winning entries for the Youth Arts in the Parks 2020 Appalachian Spring Wildflower Art Contest can now be viewed in an online art exhibit. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/2020-youth-arts-in-the-parks-online-exhibit-gets-people-in-the-mood-for-spring.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-national-river-announces-temporary-closure-of-campgrounds-and-restrooms.htm Tue, 31 Mar 2020 06:01:00 EST The National Park Service will be temporarily closing campgrounds and restrooms in all areas of New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River in response to COVID-19. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-national-river-announces-temporary-closure-of-campgrounds-and-restrooms.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/eve-west-named-chief-of-interpretation-at-new-river-gorge-national-river-gauley-river-national-recreation-area-and-bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:41:00 EST Superintendent Lizzie Watts has named Eve West as the new Chief of Interpretation at New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/eve-west-named-chief-of-interpretation-at-new-river-gorge-national-river-gauley-river-national-recreation-area-and-bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/nps-hosts-community-meeting-to-discuss-park-projects-in-2020-season.htm Tue, 11 Feb 2020 10:45:00 EST The National Park Service is holding a meeting to discuss upcoming projects throughout the park. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/nps-hosts-community-meeting-to-discuss-park-projects-in-2020-season.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2020-art-contest-entry-deadline-near.htm Fri, 31 Jan 2020 05:45:00 EST Area youth can help highlight southern West Virginia ecology through this art contest. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2020-art-contest-entry-deadline-near.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/winners-of-2020-friends-of-new-river-gorge-national-river-photo-competition-now-on-display-at-canyon-rim-visitor-center.htm Wed, 29 Jan 2020 05:39:00 EST The winning photographs from the 2020 Friends of New River Gorge National River photo contest are now on display at Canyon Rim Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/winners-of-2020-friends-of-new-river-gorge-national-river-photo-competition-now-on-display-at-canyon-rim-visitor-center.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2020-art-contest-entry-window-open.htm Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:40:00 EST Area youth can help celebrate southern West Virginia ecology through art. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2020-art-contest-entry-window-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2020-wildflower-art-contest-announced.htm Tue, 15 Oct 2019 07:39:00 EST Area youth can help celebrate southern West Virginia ecology through art. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/youth-arts-in-the-parks-2020-wildflower-art-contest-announced.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/national-park-service-issues-new-policy-concerning-e-bikes.htm Wed, 02 Oct 2019 12:10:00 EST E-bikes will be permitted in some areas of local national park units. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/national-park-service-issues-new-policy-concerning-e-bikes.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/three-love-your-park-workdays-planned-for-bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm Thu, 09 Aug 2018 12:14:00 EST The National Park Service and Friends of New River Gorge National River are planning a series of projects this fall to show “love” to Bluestone National Scenic River. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/three-love-your-park-workdays-planned-for-bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-64-million-in-economic-benefits.htm Thu, 10 May 2018 10:15:00 EST Report shows visitor spending supports 823 jobs in local economy https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-64-million-in-economic-benefits.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/popular-get-active-in-the-park-program-seeks-new-instructors.htm Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:31:00 EST Community Captains needed for "Get Active in the Park" programs. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/popular-get-active-in-the-park-program-seeks-new-instructors.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/june-and-july-activities-in-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia.htm Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:00:00 EST Find your parks at guided activities. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/june-and-july-activities-in-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-67-million-in-economic-benefits.htm Mon, 08 May 2017 11:28:00 EST A recent report shows that tourism to the three national parks in southern West Virginia has contributed nearly $61.7 million in economic benefits to the region in 2016. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-67-million-in-economic-benefits.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/grant-funding-expands-popular-get-active-in-the-park-program.htm Fri, 16 Dec 2016 11:10:00 EST Volunteers Needed to Teach Outdoor Classes https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/grant-funding-expands-popular-get-active-in-the-park-program.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/flood-clean-up-continues-in-the-three-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-most-park-facilities-are-open.htm Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:02:00 EST Some areas of the National Parks of Southern West Virginia are closed due to flooding. Bluestone National Scenic River is open at this time, although the access road at Lilly may be impassible. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/flood-clean-up-continues-in-the-three-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-most-park-facilities-are-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/100-mile-challenge-celebrates-national-parks-and-health.htm Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:03:00 EST All can take part in this on-going hiking adventure in New River Gorge National River and Bluestone National Scenic River. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/100-mile-challenge-celebrates-national-parks-and-health.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/plein-air-in-the-park.htm Thu, 04 Jun 2015 05:54:00 EST Join us for a ranger-guided program in a National Park Service site! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/plein-air-in-the-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-the-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-60-million-dollars-in-economic-benefits.htm Thu, 23 Apr 2015 07:45:00 EST Report shows visitor spending supports 808 jobs in local economy https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-the-national-parks-of-southern-west-virginia-creates-over-60-million-dollars-in-economic-benefits.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/feel-autumn-in-the-air-on-the-bluestone-river.htm Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:57:00 EST Join us for a ranger-guided program in a National Park Service site! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/feel-autumn-in-the-air-on-the-bluestone-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/nature-on-the-bluestone-river.htm Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:12:00 EST Join us for a ranger-guided program in a National Park Service site! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/nature-on-the-bluestone-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/critter-watching-in-the-new-river-gorge.htm Tue, 19 Aug 2014 05:51:00 EST Join us for ranger-guided programs in the National Park! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/critter-watching-in-the-new-river-gorge.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/discover-life-in-a-stream-stomp.htm Mon, 11 Aug 2014 09:36:00 EST Join us for ranger-guided programs in the National Park! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/discover-life-in-a-stream-stomp.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/hike-the-blue-and-beyond.htm Mon, 28 Jul 2014 06:44:00 EST Join us for ranger-guided programs in the National Park! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/hike-the-blue-and-beyond.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-local-national-parks-creates-over-51-million-dollars-in-economic-benefit.htm Wed, 23 Jul 2014 06:56:00 EST Report shows visitor spending supports 673 in local economy https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/tourism-to-local-national-parks-creates-over-51-million-dollars-in-economic-benefit.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/outdoor-adventure-fest-features-subaru-leave-no-trace-traveling-trainers.htm Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:38:00 EST Join us for ranger-guided programs in the National Park! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/outdoor-adventure-fest-features-subaru-leave-no-trace-traveling-trainers.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/railroad-history-and-nature-featured-in-ranger-programs.htm Mon, 23 Jun 2014 07:08:00 EST Join us for ranger-guided programs in the National Park! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/railroad-history-and-nature-featured-in-ranger-programs.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/stroll-along-the-bluestone-river.htm Fri, 20 Jun 2014 06:26:00 EST Join us for a ranger-guided program in the Bluestone National Scenic River! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/stroll-along-the-bluestone-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/welcome-sweet-spring-eleventh-annual-new-river-gorge-wildflower-weekend.htm Mon, 21 Apr 2014 10:03:00 EST Join us for ranger-guided programs in local National and State Park sites! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/welcome-sweet-spring-eleventh-annual-new-river-gorge-wildflower-weekend.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-national-river-news-release.htm Thu, 17 Oct 2013 06:03:00 EST New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, Bluestone National Scenic River Reopen to Visitors. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/new-river-gorge-national-river-news-release.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm Fri, 20 Sep 2013 10:40:00 EST This week’s National Park Getaway! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/hidden-history-weekend-event-schedule-announced.htm Tue, 17 Sep 2013 09:50:00 EST Join us for guided heritage programs throughout southern West Virginia parks! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/hidden-history-weekend-event-schedule-announced.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/color-takes-flight-on-the-bluestone.htm Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:05:00 EST Join us for a ranger-guided program in the National Park! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/color-takes-flight-on-the-bluestone.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/celebrate-national-trails-day-in-bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm Tue, 28 May 2013 12:25:00 EST Join us for a ranger-guided program! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/celebrate-national-trails-day-in-bluestone-national-scenic-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/season-in-full-swing-at-new-river-gorge-national-river.htm Wed, 22 May 2013 12:21:00 EST Stop by a park visitor center or join us for a ranger-guided program! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/season-in-full-swing-at-new-river-gorge-national-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/celebrate-the-10th-annual-new-river-gorge-wildflower-weekend.htm Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:54:00 EST Join us for these events that celebrate National Park Week! https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/celebrate-the-10th-annual-new-river-gorge-wildflower-weekend.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/rangers-in-training-outdoor-adventures.htm Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:36:00 EST Apply today for a free one-week series of outdoor adventures. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/rangers-in-training-outdoor-adventures.htm https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/patricia-kicklighter-named-new-river-gorge-national-river-superintendent.htm Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:17:00 EST Patricia “Trish” Kicklighter has been selected as the new superintendent of New River Gorge National River and the associated Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River. https://www.nps.gov/blue/learn/news/patricia-kicklighter-named-new-river-gorge-national-river-superintendent.htm