Explore This Park

• Plan Your Visit
  • Basic Information

Basic Information

Louise McLaughlin

 

Physical Address

Directions

Operating Hours & Seasons

Weather

Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

Entrance Fee - $0.00

New River Gorge National River does not charge an entrance fee.

Visitor Centers

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center is one of the park's primary, year round visitor centers. It is located at the New River Gorge Bridge, just north of Fayetteville. Boardwalk trails provide fantastic views of the bridge and the gorge. The center features exhibits, information, park film, and a book store.

Sandstone Visitor Center

Sandstone Visitor Center is one of the primary year-round visitor centers for the park. It is a green design building where visitors can learn about the park and the watershed through exhibits and a park film. The center also features a native plant garden, picnic areas, and book store.

Grandview Visitor Center

The Grandview section of the park features include overlooks of the New River, a visitor center (open seasonally), five hiking trails, ranger-led walks and talks, summer outdoor dramas, and picnic areas with playgrounds.

Thurmond Depot Visitor Center

Thurmond Depot is a restored railroad depot located in the historic railroad town of Thurmond.

 

New River Gorge National River protects and preserves 53 miles of the New River as well as over 70,000 acres of the magnificent gorge that this river created.

The park is 53 miles long. Having a good map is essential. A park map can be obtained at any park visitor center. Many roads are narrow and winding. Allow extra time when exploring.

Two visitor centers operate year round, and two are open seasonally. Stop at one of the year round visitor centers any time of year: Canyon Rim or Sandstone. Visitor centers at Grandview and Thurmond are seasonal, generally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Food, lodging, and full service campgrounds are plentiful in the gateway communities surrounding the park, including Hinton, Fayetteville, and Beckley.
Primitive camping, on a first come - first serve basis, is available without charge at a number of locations within the park.