Guided Activities

Ranger led programs can be fun for all ages.

NPS

 

Guided hikes are a great way to learn about the natural world around you.

NPS photo

There is plenty of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to explore on your own, but if you're looking for a guided experience, ranger-led programs are for you!

Whether you're here for an afternoon or multiple days of programming, park rangers are here to help you understand, appreciate, and take care of your newest national park.

There are variety of ranger programs offered throughout each week of the summer, stop in at any of New River Gorge’s four visitor centers to inquire about any daily activities taking place.

Things to know:

• All programs are beginner level and low impact.
• All programs are FREE unless otherwise noted.
• Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes for all hikes.
• Water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera are useful tools to bring along.
• All activities follow Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics.
• Terrain may be uneven.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• Pets must be leashed at all times while on federal land. Leash lengh may not exceed 6ft. You must clean up after your pet.

 

2025 Interpretive Programs:

Canyon Rim Visitor Center:
Patio Talks: Daily at 10:00 AM (Memorial Day through Labor Day) Join a ranger for a 30 minute talk at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and learn more about a variety of park topics including park wildlife, mining history, and the native plant garden. Check the information board in Canyon Rim Visitor Center for the topic of the day.

Pop up Rangers Choice programs in afternoons when staffing permits. Times and subjects will vary day to day

Thurmond:
Thurmond Walks: Daily Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 AM (No walks on Monday or Tuesday) Offered Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Unlike many turn of the century towns in New River Gorge, Thurmond was a railroad town instead of a coal town. For years, this small town brought in millions of dollars for the C&O Railway with a bustling downtown district and trains rolling through every 15 minutes. Now, over 100 years since the boom time of Thurmond, the town is all but abandoned. Join a ranger as you walk through the remnants of the downtown district while learning more about this unique place and the people who lived there. This outdoors walking tour will cover approximately 0.25 miles one way on mostly flat paved and graveled walkways. Some terrain may become slightly uneven. Good shoes, water, a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended. The path through town is located directly next to active CSX railroad mainline; loud freight trains may be encountered during the tour.

Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor Center. The road to Thurmond is narrow and winding; RVs and trailers are not recommended on this road. Since parking is limited at the depot, overflow and large vehicle parking is available across the river in the Dunglen area. Visitors in this parking lot can access the town by walking across the road bridge.

 

Emergent Bat Surveys at Grandview

Starting in April 2025, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is inviting volunteers to get involved in this exciting community project. Help us continue last year’s success and join us at the Grandview Bat Condo every 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday just before sunset from April through November, 2025! These surveys are conducted around sunset, the time when the nocturnal residents of our bat condo take flight! Participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to sunset and should bring a chair or blanket to sit on during the observation. No experience is needed. If interested in volunteering for this special wildlife survey, email Adrienne Jenkins [e-mail] or call 304-465-2634 to be added to the bat condo monitoring schedule.

 

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Park and Partner Programs

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  Calendar

  Check the park calendar to search what activities may be going on when you plan to visit.

• 

  100 Mile Challenge

  Celebrate parks and health by hiking 100 miles on trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Bluestone National Scenic River.

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  Get Active in the Park

  Join our Active Southern West Virginia Community Captains for a beginner level activity in the park.

 

Annual Events

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  April 11-13, 2025

  Wildflower Weekend

  Celebrate the glories of Appalachian spring through programs at New River Gorge as well as at state parks and other locations in the gorge.

• 

  September, 2025

  Hidden History Happenings

  Celebrate the wonders of Appalachian heritage, the rich sites and stories of our area's diverse history!

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  Wildflower Art Contest

  Learn how you can enter the 2025 Youth Arts in the Parks Wildflower Art Contest.