Driving on Park Roads

A view through the windshield; Fayette Station Road passes under the New River Gorge Bridge.

NPS photo/Dave Bieri

 

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a fantastic place to take a scenic drive to the many scenic overlooks, beautiful woodlands, and interesting cultural sites found throughout the park. Most roads in the park are curvy, windy, and narrow. When driving through the park you do need to be careful and stay alert.

 

Fayette Station Road

Lori McKinney

Please keep these safety tips in mind when enjoying the many scenic drives in the park:

• Be aware of your surroundings, wildlife is very common in this park. You never know when a deer or turkey may step out of the woods and onto the road.
• Most roads in the park are narrow with blind curves. Be sure to drive at a safe speed and always stay on your side of the road. Rocks often fall into the road. Take turns especially slow and watch for objects in the road.
• Watch for vehicles straying over the center line.
• Be especially careful when driving on wet, snowy, or icy roads. Maintain safe speeds.
• Be aware that during cooler weather shady areas and bridges may be icy even when other parts of the road are clear.
• It's a state law to always wear your seatbelt.
• Keep your headlights on in inclement weather.
• Always obey the posted speed limit.
• Rain, snow, and winter freezing and thawing will often cause rocks to roll down from slopes and onto the road. Always slow down during inclement weather and stay alert.