Basic Information

cliffs with clouds overhead — Louise McLaughlin

Entrance Fees:

Internet & Cellular Access

Public WiFi is available.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve 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.

Stop at Canyon Rim Visitor Center any time of year. Sandstone. Visitor Center is open spring, summer, and fall, and intermittently in winter. 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.

Winter 2020-2021 Visitor Center hours:

Canyon Rim Visitor Center is currently providing limited services. The bookstore is open 9:30 to 4:30 from Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Restrooms and information (maps, brochures, and passport stamps) are provided every day inside the visitor center entry. If weather permits rangers may staff an outside information booth on weekends.

All Visitor Centers will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s days.

Sandstone Visitor Center will be closed through May 2021.

Thurmond Depot and Grandview Visitor Center are open in summer only (Memorial Day through Labor Day with possible intermittent hours in fall).