On-site (In Park) Education Programs

 

Ranger-led education programs are offered at seven 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.

Glade Creek Day Use Area

A tributary of the New River, this area is located 6 miles down Glade Creek Access Road off Highway 41 near Prince, WV. Parking, picnic tables and vault toilets are available. Groups can hike the along the five-mile Glade Creek trail or explore the historic ruins of Hamlet. Ranger-led programs are offered at this site and can be reserved by contacting Dave Bieri at 304-466-0417 or by email: [e-mail].

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 Falls Day Use Area

This 25 foot high falls on the New River is located 8 miles north of the town of Hinton on State Route 26. Parking, picnic tables, and toilets are available. Your group can walk the ¼ mile handicap accessible boardwalk to view the falls (map) and a one-mile loop trail around the island. 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

Animals of New River Gorge
Students will be introduced to the National Park Service and will learn about animals and habitats while participating in a scavenger hunt activity.
Available at: Grandview
Grade Level: K-2

Natural History vs Cultural History
Students will learn about natural and cultural resources of the park as they participate in a short hike and scavenger hunt activity.
Available at: Grandview
Grade Level: 3-5

Habitats
Students join a park ranger in an exploration of animal habitats and learn that all plants and animals depend on their habitat for survival.
Available at: Burnwood, Canyon Rim, Glade Creek, Grandview, Sandstone Falls, and Thurmond
Grade Level: K - 3rd

Water Safety
Students learn that the New River is very powerful with many potential hazards and ways that they can enjoy the river is with safety and respect.
Available at: Burnwood, Canyon Rim, Glade Creek, Sandstone Falls, and Thurmond
Grade Level: 1st - 8th

Water Quality
Students acquire a basic understanding of water resources and learn about issues that threaten our water resources.
Available at: Burnwood, Canyon Rim, Glade Creek, Grandview, Sandstone Falls, and Thurmond
Grade Level: 2nd - 5th

Railroading
Students focus on the importance of the railroad to the New River Gorge and to the United States as a whole and that it brought changes... people, jobs, mines, and lumber camps to West Virginia.
Available at: Burnwood, Canyon Rim, Glade Creek, Grandview, and Thurmond
Grade Level: 4th - 6th

Coal Mining
Students learn their connection to coal, what is coal, how coal is mined, and the uses of coal through hands-on activities with equipment, role playing, and discussion.
Available at: Burnwood, Canyon Rim, and Grandview
Grade Level: 4th - 6th

Geology - Rocks and Rivers
Students explore the types of rocks found in the New River Gorge and the rivers role in carving the landscape of today.
Available at: Burnwood, Canyon Rim, Grandview, Sandstone Falls, and Thurmond
Grade Level: 5th - 8th