Explore This Park

On-site (In Park) Education Programs

 

Ranger-led education programs are offered at several locations within the park.

Burnwood Day Use Area

This 100 acre site of the New River Gorge National River is located off Highway 19 across from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Parking, picnic tables and shelters, and restrooms are available. Your group can walk the ¾ mile Laing Loop Nature Trail. Ranger-led programs are offered at this site and can be reserved by contacting Leah Perkowski-Sisk at 304-465-2635 or email.

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

With excellent views into the New River Gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge, this facility is located on Highway 19 just north of Fayetteville, WV. The visitor center offers an 11-minute audiovisual program, museum exhibits, bookstore, and restrooms. Students can visit the facility to learn about the New River Gorge and walk out to the overlooks. Ranger-led programs are available at the visitor center. To reserve at day and time for a visit to this facility, contact Leah Perkowski-Sisk at 304-465-2635 or email.

Grandview Day Use Area

This 800 acre area of the New River Gorge National River is located 5 miles off Interstate 64 at exit 129, 5 miles east of Beckley, WV. Parking, picnic tables and shelters, restrooms, and playgrounds are available. Your group can walk out to several overlooks to look 1400 feet down into the gorge to the New River and hike from ½ to 3 miles along one of the areas nature trails. Ranger-led programs can be reserved by contacting Dave Bieri at 304-466-0417 or by email: [e-mail] .

Sandstone Visitor Center

A green design building located at exit 139 off Interstate 64, 15 miles east of Beckley, WV. The visitor center offers a 12-minute audiovisual program, interactive exhibits, watershed floor map, bookstore, and restrooms. Students can explore the facility and learn about the New River Gorge and New River Watershed through self-guided activities or ranger-led programs. To reserve a day and time for a visit to this facility, contact Dave Bieri at 304-466-0417 or by email: [e-mail].

Thurmond National Historic District

Thurmond is a historic railroad town located 7-miles down WV Route 25 off Highway 19 at Glen Jean, WV. Parking, picnic tables and restrooms are provided across the river from the town of Thurmond. The historic Depot has been restored and is available for tours by reservation. The best way to tour and learn the history and stories of Thurmond is through a ranger-led program or "Teaching With Historic Places." To reserve a ranger-led program, contact Leah Perkowski-Sisk at 304-465-2635 or email.

 

On-Site Programs

Watershed Program

OFFERED AT: Sandstone Visitor Center

THEME: We all live in a watershed; Sandstone Visitor Center is part of a bigger park; New River Gorge National River, is a special place that is at the end of a 317 mile drainage basin and protects 53 miles of that basin.

GOALS: Students will experience their national park firsthand with a park ranger as their guide. They will learn the purposes of our national park system, and the importance of protecting the watershed because there are many animal and plant habitats dependent on the watershed to maintain life. Explore the museum while doing a scavenger hunt to identify macroinvertebrates, historical figures, and animals you can find in the park. Learn how water flows across the surface of the earth on our hands-on watershed topographical map. Watch the movie “An American Heritage River” and learn more about the New River and water conservation efforts.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will be able to name their watershed.
2. Students will be able to name three things they can do to protect the watershed.
3. Students will be able to name the two purposes of our nation’s National Parks.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 ½ hours

Programs can be reserved by contacting Dave Bieri at 304-466-0417 or by email: [e-mail].

Habitat Scavenger Hunt

Grade K-3

OFFERED AT: Grandview

THEME: All animals have to have a habitat; the best way to find a specific animal is to look for its food, shelter, water and space. Grandview is part of a bigger park; New River Gorge National River, one of our nation’s special places that protects animals and their habitats.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will be able to name the parts of a habitat.
2. Students will be able to name two different species of animals that live at New River Gorge.
3. Students will be able to name the two purposes of our nation’s national parks.

GOALS: Students will experience their national park firsthand with a park ranger as their guide. They will learn the purposes of our national park system, the importance of protecting animal and plant habitats, and explore a short trail through the park on a scavenger hunt to identify pre-placed puppet animals and any live wild animals they happen to encounter.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 1 hour

Programs can be reserved by contacting Dave Bieri at 304-466-0417 or by email: [e-mail].