Event Schedule:
Thursday September 10
Appalachian Toys
10:00 - 11:00 AM at Grandview Visitor Center
Join a ranger for a demonstration on Appalachian toys. Discover how children in Appalachia once created simple, inventive toys from everyday materials.
Friday September 11
Appalachian Toys
10:00-11:00 AM at Sandstone Visitor Center
Join a ranger for a demonstration on Appalachian toys. Discover how children in Appalachia once created simple, inventive toys from everyday materials.
Saturday September 12
The Tree Army in New River Gorge
10:00-11:00 AM at Grandview Visitor Center
Across America, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped build our National Parks. What was their impact in New River Gorge? Join a ranger for a talk on the Civilian Conservation Corps and their impact on this region.
Women's Work:
10:00-11:00 AM at Sandstone Visitor Center
Join a ranger as we step back into the early days of Appalachian life and discover the range of work pioneer women carried on their shoulders.
History on the Rocks:
2:30 - 3:30 PM at Sandstone Visitor Center
Join a ranger as we “climb” through the history of climbing in New River Gorge. Compare old and new gear, and learn how climbing has shaped the park.
Sunday September 13
Arrowhead Jeopardy
2:30 - 3:30 PM at Sandstone Visitor Center
Let’s play Jeopardy! Join a ranger for an interactive program on the Arrowhead, the National Park Service symbol. Learn how New River Gorge National Park & Preserve fits into the Arrowhead.
Tuesday September 15
History on the Gorge
6:00 PM at Adventures on the Gorge
Inside Smokies on the Gorge; Located at 219 Chestnutburg Rd, Lansing, WV 25862
The canyon rim of the New River Gorge is now home to stunning overlooks and the New River Gorge Bridge, but what was here before? Join a ranger talk to learn about the farms, coal mining communities, and early roads that once stood here. Listen to the stories of the people who called this home before the days of a national park and whitewater rafting.
This program is a part of Appalachian Heritage Week at Adventures on the Gorge.
Saturday September 19:
The Civil War in the New River Gorge
1:00 PM at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Given the Civil War origins of West Virginia it is perhaps unsurprising that our park is steeped in Civil War history. Join us this weekend Saturday Sept 19th and Sunday Sept 20th at 1:00PM in the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for another talk in our series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by diving into our history. We will explore West Virginia’s Civil War origins, wind our way through the battles of Carnifex Ferry and Fayetteville, and conclude by meeting some of the Civil War veterans, both union and confederate who went on to shape this region. No registration is necessary to attend the program.
Roots of Whitewater
2:30-3:30 PM at Sandstone Visitor Center
Join a ranger as we “paddle” through the history of rafting in New River Gorge. Compare gear and learn how rafting has impacted the park.
Sunday, September 20, 2026
The Civil War in the New River Gorge
1:00 PM at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Given the Civil War origins of West Virginia it is perhaps unsurprising that our park is steeped in Civil War history. Join us this weekend Saturday Sept 19th and Sunday Sept 20th at 1:00PM in the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for another talk in our series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by diving into our history. We will explore West Virginia’s Civil War origins, wind our way through the battles of Carnifex Ferry and Fayetteville, and conclude by meeting some of the Civil War veterans, both union and confederate who went on to shape this region. No registration is necessary to attend the program.
Saturday, September 26
Roots of Whitewater
10:00 - 11:00 AM at Grandview Visitor Center
Join a ranger as we “paddle” through the history of rafting in New River Gorge. Compare gear and learn how rafting has impacted the park.
Stories of the Island
2:30-3:30 PM at Sandstone Falls
Who and what settled at Sandstone Falls? Join a ranger for a .5 mile hike on the Island Loop trail. Learn about the natural and cultural history of Sandstone Falls. Meet at: Beginning of Boardwalk.
Strolling Through Southside
5:30 PM Meet at the Thurmond Depot
Join us for a ranger-led stroll through Southside, the area across the river from Thurmond that inspired the "rough and tumble" atmosphere it has gained in local folklore. Southside and the Dunglen Hotel will come alive through archaeology, rarely seen photos, and oral history accounts.Get an up close look at the changes that took place on the Southside, the Ballyhack gambling district, and the famous Dunglen Hotel. Learn about the hotel's interior, auxiliary buildings that stood around it, and gambling that took place. You will also get an in depth look at the portions of the hotel that remain 96 years after a fire destroyed this jewel of the New River Coalfields.
No registration to join the tour is necessary. The tour will cover about ½ mile on mostly flat paved ground and gravel.
Shadows on the Trail
7:30-9:00 PM Meet at Grandview Visitor Center
Join rangers for spooky stories at Grandview Visitor Center under the moonlit sky of Grandview. Let your imagination run wild about what might lurk in the dark just out of sight!
Sunday September 27
The New River...Like it Is
10:00-11:00 AM at Grandview Visitor Center
How does an area become a unit of the National Park Service? Join a ranger for a presentation on the rich history of how New River Gorge became America’s 63rd National Park.
