Guided Activities

stand up paddle boarder holding up paddle on the river

Join a ranger or park partner for free hikes, talks, and activities. These guided activities provide an opportunity to learn about the natural world around us, experience our rich cultural history, try something new, or just explore a new part of your national parks.

Throughout the year groups may arrange programs as staffing permits. Please call or email the park if you would like a park ranger to present a program for your group.

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.
All equipment will be provided.

Upcoming Activities:

**Recurring Activities**
Date/Time	Activity	Description	Location
Saturdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Through October 13	Bluestone Walk	Meet at the bottom of the Pipestem State Park tramway for a 2 mile walk on the Bluestone National Scenic River. Bring $3 for the return tram ride.	Bottom of the tram at Pipestem Resort State Park
Sundays 2:00 - 3:00 PM Through August	Historic Thurmond Tour	Learn more about the history and ways of life in a historic town that was once the busiest depot along the C&O rail line.	Thurmond Depot
Saturdays and Sundays 12:30-1:30 PM Through August	Ranger's Choice	Stop by Canyon Rim Visitor Center to learn about something new each week.	Canyon Rim Visitor Center

**August**
Date/Time	Activity	Description	Location
Saturday August 4, 2018 12:00-2:00 PM	Stand Up Paddle Boarding	Explore the river standing up with this instructional paddle board demo. Learn strokes and practice your balance before paddling out. All participants must be over age 8 and know how to swim. Stand up paddle boards provided. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Dun Glen Boat Launch
Monday August 6, 2018 7:30-9:00 PM	Fire Fly Walk	Learn all about the magnificent fire flies of the New River Gorge on a walk through the Grandview area. Walk will be on easy terrain. No reservations required.	Grandview - meet at the Grandview Visitor Center
Thursday August 9, 2018 7:00-8:00 PM	River Water Aerobics	Move through the New River and beat the summer heat with this beginner-friendly water aerobics class. Learn how to use the resistance of water to improve your flexibility, muscular strength, balance, and coordination. Must wear hard bottomed shoes. Life jackets will be provided. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Stone Cliff
Friday August 10, 2018 5:30-6:30 PM	Refit @ Grandview	Description:Join Community Captains Jen and Amber in the Grandview Area of New River Gorge National River at pavilion #2 for a group beginner to intermediate level REFIT® class	Grandview Shelter #2
Saturday August 11, 2018 12:00-2:00 PM	Stand Up Paddle Boarding	Explore the river standing up with this instructional paddle board demo. Learn strokes and practice your balance before paddling out. All participants must be over age 8 and know how to swim. Stand up paddle boards, lifejackets, and paddles will be provided. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Dun Glen Boat Launch
Saturday August 11, 2018 9:30 AM-12:00 PM	Long Point Wildlife Watching Adventure	Hike 3.2 miles (moderate - round trip) through field and forest to see one of the best views of the New River Gorge, Long Point. Keep an extra look out for wildlife along the way, as we search for animals and clues to their presence. Bring your favorite wildlife watching tools if you like (binoculars, journal, camera, etc.).	Long Point Trail trailhead
Saturday August 11, 2018 12:30-1:30 PM	Who Am I?	Discover who lives here in the New River Gorge, creatures that fly, crawl, swim, and more. Come and go as you please to learn more about area wildlife.	Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Sunday August 12, 2018 3:00-5:00 PM	Nature Fest Hike	Embark on a 5 mile hike with us for Nature Fest! We will take the Craigs Branch trail down to the Kaymoor trail and head down to the Kaymoor Mine site where we will learn about the old coal mine community. No reservation required.	Kaymoor Top Trailhead
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 4:00-6:00 PM	Intro to Rock Climbing	Get vertical in this beginner's rock climbing instructional session. Everyone will rope up and get to climb to the top of a real rock climbing route. Ages 16 and up only. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Meet at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Wednesday August 15, 2018 5:00 -7:00 PM	Stand Up Paddle Boarding	Explore the river standing up with this instructional paddle board demo. Learn strokes and practice your balance before paddling out. All participants must be over age 8 and know how to swim. Stand up paddle boards provided. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	McCreery Boat Launch
Wednesday August 15, 2018	Lansing Fly Fishing Demo	Ever wonder how expert anglers pick their ties? Or how they master those casts? Come out to learn all the best techniques and master a cast of your own. All equipment is provided. Participants must be 12 and up. No reservations required.	Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Thursday, August 16, 2018 5:00-6:00 PM	Group Walk	Join us for a quick and easy loop hike in Fayetteville. The Park Loop is an enjoyable 1.1 mile loop trail that begins at the Town Park in Fayetteville, with a connection to the Fayetteville Trail. No reservations required	Fayetteville Town Park
Thursday August 16, 2018 5:30-6:30 PM	Tai Chi at Canyon Rim Visitor Center	Join Active Southern West Virginia Community Captains and National Park Service rangers for a Tai Chi program at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center of New River Gorge National River. Learn the ancient Chinese practice of qi gong in this beginner program. Trained volunteers will teach you the basic form and movements to build better balance and muscle control.	Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Saturday August 18, 2018 10:00 AM-4:00 PM	Love Your Park Bluestone Turnpike Clean-up	Help "Love Your Park" by assisting rangers with a trash pick-up along seven miles of the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. Meet at 9:30 at the Pipestem tram. Check the Love Your Park page for more info about this and two other Love Your Park service days.	meet at the Pipestem State Park tram/Canyon Rim Center
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 5:00-7:00 PM	Intro to Mountain Biking	Take your bike riding to the next level by trying out a trail ride. Learn new techniques and practice your pedaling before going out for a group ride. Participants must be 12 and older with some biking experience. Bikes will be provided. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Southside Junction Trail at Cunard
Thursday, August 23, 2018 5:00-7:00 PM	Long Point Hike	Explore one of the most scenic walks in the park. Group walk is 3.2 miles roundtrip on moderate terrain. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Long Point Trailhead
Saturday, August 25, 2018 10:00 AM-4:00 PM	Adventure Hike	Take a 10 mile adventure through the Park Loop in Fayettevile, Craigs Branch Trail, and Kaymoor trails. Participants will park at the Brooklyn Mine Trail, be shuttled to Park loop trail and hike their way back. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Brooklyn Mine Trail
Sunday August 26, 2018 8:00-10:00 PM	Full Moon Hike	Walk through the woods with the moon as your guide, listening to the sounds of the park after dark. Headlamps will be provided. *Reservations required* Reserve your spot by calling 304-894-2129 or emailing getactiveinthepark@gmail.com	Grandview - meet at the Grandview Visitor Center

September
Date/Time	Activity	Description	Location
September 15, 2018 10:00 AM-4:00 PM	Love Your Park Trail Improvement Day	Help "Love Your Park" by assisting rangers with trail improvement service projects along seven miles of the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. Meet at 9:30 at the Pipestem tram. Check the Love Your Park page for more info about this and two other Love Your Park service days.	meet at the Pipestem State Park Tram/Canyon Rim Center
September 28-30, 2018	Hidden History Weekend	Celebrate the wonders of Appalachian heritage and the rich sites and stories of our region's diverse history! Free programs will take place at New River Gorge National River, the National Coal Heritage Area, Tamarack, the town of Hinton, and Babcock, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield, Pipestem Resort, and Twin Falls Resort State Parks. Check the Hidden History Weekend page for a full schedule of activities.	Various locations throughout the New River Gorge region
Saturday September 29, 2018 10:00 AM-4:00 PM	The Last Hunt	Step back in time as living history interpreters portray a typical fall hunting camp of a small family group of Delawares and Cherokees on the "last hunt" after the Treaties of 1768 resulted in their loss of lands in the New River area. Demonstrations on shelter construction, cooking, skin tanning, and preserving food for winter use will be conducted throughout the day. Check the Hidden History Weekend page for demonstration times.	Sandstone Visitor Center